Coleraine joint top of NW Senior 1

The game was played as a T20 after the match scheduled for last weekend had been called off because of rain and for most of Saturday morning it looked as if this fixture was also going to fall victim to the weather.

However, with the rain easing off after lunchtime and both teams agreeing to play on an artificial wicket, play was able to start just before 4pm.

Coleraine won the toss and decided to bat first but it was Bonds Glen who gained the early advantage when Rodney Pearson accounted for all three of Coleraine’s opening batsmen.

With Coleraine on 42 for 3, David Cooke and Craig Averill came together to construct a vital 78 run partnership for the 4th wicket. Cooke scored rapidly – striking 54 off just 37 balls and was well supported by Averill with 22 off 28 balls. Coleraine finished with 144 for the loss of seven wickets off their 20 overs.

With Stevie Dunn removing Bonds Glen’s opening batsmen in the first 3 overs, the home side struggled to build any decent partnerships.

Their professional, Gihan Dilruk, struck two sixes but was then caught by Chinthaka Jayasinghe off the first ball of Johnny Martin’s opening over and with Jayasinghe taking one wicket and Scott Campbell claiming 3 for just 13 runs, Bonds Glen were only able to post a total of 104 in their 20 overs.

This leaves Coleraine on 12 points, joint top with Donemana, in a very tight contest this year, as 3 teams are just one win behind - on 10 points each.

The weather has been taking its toll on the cricket fixtures lists, but Coleraine Firsts are currently up to date with their league games.

Meanwhile in the Northern Bank Senior Cup semi finals they still await both a confirmed date and in fact who their opposition will be as two of the quarter finals have yet to be played.

For Coleraine Seconds the fixture list is becoming more congested. They will have two cup games next week, the semi final of the North West Intermediate A Cup on Saturday against Donemana (already postponed twice) and the semi-final of the Ulster Plate on Sunday against Muckamore. Both games are to be played at Coleraine, weather permitting.

They have still several league games to be rescheduled to get back on track in the coming weeks and the outlook is similar for the Thirds who again had no cricket at the weekend due to waterlogged pitches at Coleraine Inst.

The Fourths again failed to get a game, as their league fixture against Sion Mills Seconds was cancelled due to the unseasonal weather, resulting in no points for either team.

Coleraine 144-7 (20.0 overs, D Cooke 54, R Pearson 3-11, C Hall 3-15) Bonds Glen 104-7 (20.0 overs, D Robinson 29*, S Campbell 3-13, S Dunn 2-31)