NW Cricket: Top three teams look to pull clear at the top

After a couple of weeks of cup action the focus switches to the Long's SuperValu Premier Leagues this coming Saturday with another set of entertaining fixtures down for decision.

Only two rounds of league matches have been played so far and with the quarter-finals of the Sports Hub senior cup headlining next weekend, it's a chance for the three unbeaten teams in Section 1 to try to put some daylight between themselves and the chasing pack before another break.

Donemana are one of that trio and Gary McClintock's men come into Saturday's game away to Bready in red-hot form following their sensational, record-breaking win at Waringstown in the Irish Senior Cup.

No-one would have given the Holm side any chance of chasing down the Belfast side's huge total of 358 to win with just two deliveries to spare, but chase it down they did, to create a new record in the country's premier cup competition.

Bready currently sit in fifth place in the table with one league win and one defeat so far, but Ian Young's men undoubtedly have the personnel to put it up to their visitors this weekend.

The Magheramason team look to have a lively new overseas player in Josh van Heerdon and with a top order of David Rankin, Gavin Roulston, Kyle Magee, Ryan Clarke and their new 'pro', there are runs in the side.

In this kind of form however, no number seems to be too many for Donemana who are without doubt one of the strongest batting line-ups in the country.

Runs for Donemana's overseas player Arun Jotin.

David O'Sullivan has proved that he is back to full fitness now and with Andy McBrine likely to be available for large parts of the summer, they have match-winners everywhere in the side.

Bready are very capable here, especially if the visitors have any kind of Irish Cup hangover, but if it all comes together for them, the visitors would be big favourites.

League leaders Ardmore got to bottom-of-the-table Strabane and the Bleachgreen side have clearly re-grouped over the winter under the guidance of new skipper Harry Zimmermann.

It's been a very positive move from them to cement Bobby Brolly's place at the top of the order and the teenager hasn't looked out of place in any shape or form.

Skipper Zimmermann has taken the armband with gusto and it's easy to argue that it has focused his own game as well, which will clearly benefit them. The form of Muhammad Edrees this season has also been a real positive and it's been a very good start from Ardmore.

Strabane always look a better side when John Mooney is around and there were signs at the weekend that new overseas man, Ranitha, could also be finding his range.

Boundary for Donemana's Raymond Curry.

There will be no panic in the home dressing room of course after just two games, but they certainly need to show their competitiveness at least over the next few weeks.

Fourth placed Brigade entertain the other unbeaten side Coleraine; the Bannsiders having already won at this venue in this season's T20 Cup.

Andy Britton's men will be there or thereabouts come the start of September- we can be fairly sure of that- but it's in games like this that their potential will be tested.

A top order including Iftikhar Hussain, Adam McDaid, David Barr and Cameron Melly has the potential to score heavily, although they have got bogged down a bit at times in their innings so far this year.

Coleraine could have Marcus Poskitt involved a bit more as the season progresses and with David Cooke bringing real stability to their batting already, new skipper Rory Knox will again fancy their chances of serving it up to their hosts.

The final game in Section 1 sees to win-less sides- Newbuildings and Eglinton- lock horns at Foyle View Arena.

The villagers are no strangers to slow starts- they lost three of their first four last season before getting it together and only missing out on the title on the dreaded Net Run Rate.

Newbuildings' need is no less great of course and the cup holders will want to get that first win on the board sooner rather than later. You'd have to say the loss of Trent McKeegan and Mark Hanna has taken a toll, but there is plenty of talent in their squad.

Bready's new overseas player Josh van Heerdon.

This is far from easy now that the visitors' new overseas man Lakshan Gamage and returning all-rounder Liam Doherty have settled in at the village, so it's a very difficult game to call.

In Section 2 it's Glendermott's turn to sit out the 'seventh team' weekend, and here too, three teams remain unbeaten. That said, Ballyspallen and Fox Lodge have only played one league game apiece while St Johnston have played twice.

The Donegal men face a tricky trip to Killyclooney on Saturday in what is already a 1st v 2nd contest.

'Spallen have been flying across all competitions and the way they dismissed Drumaness from the National Cup on Saturday would suggest they mean business this year.

The Roe Valley side travel to take on a Bonds Glen outfit that has lost their first two outings, but who have clearly been affected by the fact that overseas man Divan Posthumus was forced to return home early due to a close family bereavement.

A stand-in professional has arrived at the Glen and with the likes of in-form Haslett boys, Dharm Singh and Stevie Dunn taking on Isaac Bird, Kagiso Rapulana and the Kennedy lads, this could be a bit of a run feast.

Fox Lodge are also the only team to have won three out of three in the White Horse T20 Cup and it's an interesting few days for the Ballymagorry men as they go to bottom side Burndennett on Saturday.

Before that, the Foxes entertain Bready in the T20 on Thursday night- looking to do the double over Ian Young's side and giving themselves a real chance of winning their group in the process.

Glendermott are still looking for their first Group win as they lock horns with Newbuildings in the other Group D fixture.

Elsewhere on Thursday night, Killyclooney host currently win-less Strabane in Group A, while in Group B, leaders Eglinton visit St Johnston and Ballyspallen's form is tested with a trip to Ardmore.

In Group C, Brigade should be too strong for the Bee Gees while Coleraine are fancied to continue their positive start as they are due to welcome Burndennett to Sandel Lodge.

This weekend's fixtures

Thursday - White Horse Hotel T20 Cups (6.30 pm) - Killyclooney v Strabane; Ardmore v Ballyspallen; St Johnston v Eglinton; Coleraine v Burndennett; Brigade v Bonds Glen; Glendermott v Newbuildings; Fox Lodge v Bready

Saturday - Long's SuperValu Premiership (12 noon) - Section 1 - Strabane v Ardmore; Brigade v Coleraine; Bready v Donemana; Newbuildings v Eglinton; Section 2 - Killyclooney v St Johnston; Bonds Glen v Ballyspallen; Burndennett v Fox Lodge