BRIGADE AND LIMAVADY KEEP TITLE RACE BOILING

There were no real surprises in Saturday's league fixtures in either division of the Billy Henderson Properties despite a distinct end of season feel to one or two of the contests.

Brigade remain very much in control of their own destiny after a bloodless win at relegation threatened Eglinton, the villagers seemingly unable to wriggle out of their desperate run of form. Skipper Andy Christie and professional Ryan Butterworth gave the hosts something of a start with 23 and 27 respectively but Johnny Thompson and Ata-Ur-Rehman were in control throughout the first innings.

From 41 for 2 Eglinton lost their middle order for less than a handful of runs and in the end despite a late cameo from Andrew Millar the basement club batted the best part of 33 overs for just 95 all out. Thompson continued his excellent run with the ball returning figures of 5 for 19 and Rehman chipped in with 4 for 36 as the villagers were second best by some way.

Brigade's openers were all that was required as Gareth McKeegan with an unbeaten 58 and Chris Dougherty (35 not out) sealed a straightforward win with bundles to spare. McKeegan hit 9 fours and a six in his knock showing yet again that he is a much better player at the top of the order while for Christie's men there is much soul-searching to be done if they are to have the slightest chance of carving out a win against either Strabane or Fox Lodge.

Brigade's win puts them four points clear of Limavady after the Roesiders contest with Bready was suspended due to rain. Andrew Riddles knows that it will probably take three wins from their final three games to even get them into a title play-off but they have at least given themselves a chance in the first of those after a solid batting display against the cup holders.

Tom Riddles made 69 but there were also very useful contributions from Stuart Thompson (36), Mark McDaid (32), Adam McDaid (30) and the skipper with 28 as Limavady posted 248 for 9 in their 45 overs. David Scanlon was the pick of the Magheramason side's attack with 4 for 44 and Mark Fleming picked up another couple but rain during the tea interval brought an early end to proceedings.

Bready's reply didn't even get started before play was abandoned for the day and the sides will line up again on Tuesday evening hoping to complete the contest in midweek. Ironically the pair still have to meet again in the league and that match has been provisionally pencilled in for next Sunday, the same day as the Bonds Glen v Strabane 20/20 replay after Saturday's game fell victim weather without a ball having been bowled.

The two remaining games had little at stake but both provided plenty of talking points most notably at Ballymagorry where Fox Lodge's home game with Glendermott was all wrapped up by 2 o'clock! The visitors batted first and although they have been on a poor run of late their card was to tell a sorry story. Bob Robinson in the middle order led a one-man resistance as he made 33 and when you take that and the 14 extras out of the equation it doesn't leave much from 73 all out to split between the rest.

Johnny Robinson with 5 for 8 had a field day and Gareth Heywood claimed three slightly more expensive wickets but the hosts have done little the easy way themselves this year and lost 5 of their own before closing out the win. At 36 for 4 in the reply they could almost have mucked it up before Darryl Brown and Gareth Heywood saw it through. Roy Silva claimed 3 for 47 as he and Brown marked what looks like being their final games for their respective clubs for this season at least.

Down at Sandel Lodge Coleraine and Donemana served up another decent contest, the third time this season that they have met and the third time that the Tyrone side has come off the ropes to win. Batting first the visitors shuffled their order a little but were soon in trouble;

Dougherty made 23 but some excellent bowling from Scott Campbell in particular ensured that the early momentum was with the hosts. At 77 for 8 it looked like an early finish was on the cards here too but Richard Kee's last three batsmen were the McBrines, Andy, Junior and James. Scoring was still proving difficult but that trio at least ensured that their side batted the full 45 overs and a 54 run 8th wicket stand between father and son allowed Donemana to post a respectable 148 for 9,

Andy, batting at that unfamiliar number 8 slot finishing unbeaten on 48. Campbell's 9 overs yielded 5 for 14 as he continues to progress into an excellent young all-rounder and Andrew Douglas also picked up a brace in a good showing from the Bannsiders.

Coleraine set off in chase and Campbell showed his prowess with the bat taking on Ian McGregor's role at the top of the order with the same determination. When he and Vischal Chopra were at the wicket and the score on 91 for 3 a home win looked assured but Jordan McGonigle and Junior McBrine had other ideas.

The former International spinners found conditions very much to their liking and once they were among the middle and lower order there was only going to be one winner. McGonagle claimed 4 for 18 and McBrine 3 for 18 as the Bannsiders lost their last seven wickets for just 30 runs eventually finishing 27 short of the target.

The Division 2 promotion race continues to be in the balance after Drummond did what they needed to in beating Killyclooney while Creevedonnell's match at home to Ardmore is due to continue this evening (Monday).

Stephen Scroggie's side made 233 in their 45 overs courtesy of 97 from Richard Philson and 32 from Gary Neely and when bad light intervened on Saturday night, the Bleachgreen side was still very much in the hunt at 124 for 4 after 22 overs.

Crucially, Adrian Murphy is out having made 76 and Ger McAuley was dismissed from the very last ball before the umpires called a halt but it will still be a nervous home camp over the weekend with Gordon Cooke's side now poised to take advantage of any opening.

BILLY HENDERSON PROPERTIES DIV 1

At Sandel Lodge, Donemana 148-9-45 ( A McBrine 48*, R Dougherty 23, Jun McBrine 20, S Campbell 5-14, A Douglas 2-31) beat Coleraine 121-10-41.3 (S Campbell 33, V Chopra 27, J McGonigle 4-18, Jun McBrine 3-18) by 27 runs.

At Eglinton, Brigade 98-0-18.1 (G McKeegan 58*, C Dougherty 35*) beat Eglinton 95-10-32.4 (R Butterworth 27, A Christie 23, J Thompson 5-19, A Ur-Rehman 4-36) by 10 wickets.

At Ballymagorry, Fox Lodge 74-5-12.4 (D Brown 20*, R Silva 3-47) beat Glendermott 73-10-15 (R Robinson 33, J Robinson 5-8, Gareth Heywood 3-33) by 5 wickets.

At The Hunter Grounds, Limavady 248-9-45 (T Riddles 69, S Thompson 36, M McDaid 32, A McDaid 30, A Riddles 28, D Scanlon 4-44, M Fleming 2-54) v Bready continues Tuesday evening at 6.30 pm.

BILLY HENDERSON PROPERTIES DIVISION 2

At Drummond, Drummond 75-3-17.1 (M Lynch 35) beat Killyclooney 74-10-24 (D Riddles 24, G Cooke 6-21) by 7 wickets.

At Burndennett, St Johnston 117-3-25 (D MacBeth 62*, S Dixit 30) beat Burndennett 116-10-24.3 (R McCay 27*, R MacBeth 5-41, A Fleming 2-13, J Robinson 2-23) by 7 wickets

At Creevedonnell, Creevedonnell 233 (R Philson 97, G Neely 32, G Falconer 24, C Brolly 3-44) v Ardmore 124-4-22 (A Murphy 76) continues Monday evening at 6.30.