Another day, another Blayde Capell century, as the South African hit his 7th of this incredible campaign to move Killyclooney top of the Premiership table at the half-way point of the season. Blayde's 109 from 75 balls (11 fours, 7 sixes) took his season tally to 1479 runs at 123.25! He sgared an opening stand of 100 in 14 overs with William Finlay (34), while skipper Timmy Dougherty also made 34 in their 241 for 9 - three wickets for Sam Kincaid and Heinrich Roberts.
Rain meant a DLS target of 219 in 32 overs, but early wickets for Jason Wallace (3-22), Jordan Connor (4-45) and Timmy Dugherty (2-24) always ensured they had control of the game. Raymond Curry hit 7 fours in an even time 42, while Mattie Barr cleared the hedgerows four times in a rapid 28, but their innings were too brief in a day that once again belonged to Capell and Killyclooney. They couldn't win the title, could they? You know, they just might...
St Johnston were the biggest winners of the day as they demolished Strabane by 170-runs (DLS) at The Boathole. Michael Rankin was the star of the show with the bat, scoring a brilliant unbeaten 118 from 95 balls (8 fours, 6 sixes) as the Saints posted 255 for 6 - runs too for Graeme McCarter (45), David Lapsley (43) and Deepak Reddy (21).
Strabane were blew away in the chase with three wickets apiece for Scott Devenney, Graeme McCarter and David Anthony clinching the massive win that could ignite a Premiership place challenge as the season moves into the second half.
Glendermott got their first points of the season with a welcome 5-wickets win over Burndennett at The Rectory. Mark Pollock hit 74 (8 fours, 1 six) to take his season aggregate to 592, sharing an opening stand of 93 with Marty Mehaffey (38) as the Tyrone side made 193 - three wickets for Alan Johnson (3-36).
That wasn't going to be enough at the fast-scoring Rectory and so it proved, with Gihahn Cloete hitting 8 fours and 2 sixes in a top-score of 62 from 61 balls. He and Ben Mills added 70 for the fifth wicket with the skipper hitting seven boundaries in his unbeaten 38.
Ardmore won a thriller against previous leaders Brigade at Beechgrove, with the last pair of Sabin Babu and Caolan Young getting them over the line - just though, as a Josh Wilson throw at the stumps with the scores tied missed by 'the barest of margins'. Brigade's 198 for 6 was based around a return to form with the bat for DD Barr, who top-scored with 78 (7 fours, 2 sixes). Cameron Melly made a subdued 33, wile there were runs too for Andy Britton (24*) and Adam McDaid (21).
Edrees Kharatoi took three wickets and it was the Afghan who emerged the Bleachgreen hero with the bat. He thumped 42 from 21 balls, hitting 2 fours and four sixes - three of them consecutively off Andy Britton to get them within touching distance. It wouldn't be Ardmore if there wasn't a wobble, but the win keeps their hopes of a title challenge very much alive.
Mike Erlank starred with the bat as Eglinton won a crucial encounter with Coleraine in their battle for a Premiership slot. The Bannsiders were out of sorts as the village side warmed up for Sunday's cup clash with a ruthless display. Stephen Hutchinson top-scored with 35, while there were runs too for Matty Smyth (31) and Ravi Karunaratne (29) in a total of 127 for 9.
Josh Martin and Mike Erlank picked up two wickets and the South African professional ensured a routine chase, top-scoring with 62 not out (6 fours, 2 sixes), sharing stands of 48 with skipper Tommy Orr (22) and Jamie Millar (14*) in the seven wickets win.
Newbuildings won the first part of their double-header weekend with Fox Lodge, with an impressive all-round display by the defending champions. Batting first, the home side were given a solid platform with a second wicket stand of 91 between Ryan Hunter - who hit 7 fours in his 51, and Jason Dunn (47). The real fireworks came though from a 5th wicket partnership of 116 in 13 overs between Hanu Viljoen and Johnny Thompson. 'JT' may be in his final year but his powers remain as strong as ever with the bat, clubbing 6 fours and 6 sixes in his unbeaten 71 from only 43 balls, while Viljoen's 50 took 42 balls (5 fours, 2 sixes).
Travis Nicholl hit a rapid 41 in the chase of 242 (5 fours, 2 sixes), but only Ali Doherty (37) joined in as the Ballymagorry side fell 100 runs short. Trent McKeegan picked up four wickets, while there were three for Ross Hunter and two for teenager Charlie Downey.
Bready have probably the best record of any North West side at Donemana and they won yet again at The Holm, successfully chasing 245. William McClintock top scored with 64 hitting 7 fours and 5 sixes, while Jamie Huey also found the river on five occasions in his 48. There was also runs for new overseas professional - Namibian Karl Birkenstock - who made 34 in their 245 - four wickets for Irosh.
David Rankin ensured the pursuit would be a successful one as he hit 11 fours and 2 sixes in his 93, adding 122 for the third wicket with Kyle Magee (50). Ian Young made a crucial 31 not out, while with seven needed from the final over, skipper David Scanlon cleared the ropes twice from the first two balls to clinch a four-wickets win.