Newbuildings lifted the Eric Cooke Cup with a thrilling two-run win over Eglinton in a contest that went to the last ball in gloomy conditions at Foyleview.

The home side took advantage of some wayward bowling in the initial stages to pile up 76 runs in the powerplay - helped by 30 extras in total.

Samarth Seth hit seven boundaries in a top score of 36, while skipper Gareth McKeegan made 32 (5 fours, 1 six).

Eglinton clawed it back a little but 20's for Ryan Hunter, Ross Dougherty, and Jason Dunn still lifted Newbuildings to what looked a formidable 197 for 6.

Ryan Hunter dismissed Andy Millar and Adam Lamberton cheaply in the chase, but Liam Doherty - who has been in prolific form recently - counterattacked with a blistering 82 out of 102 from 44 balls, that included 8 fours and 7 sixes.

He fell to Johnny Thompson's first ball, but Jamie Millar continued in the same vein.

The Eglinton skipper and Andy Lucas (24 off 10 balls) put on 53 in just four overs to leave 20 needed off the last two overs, and then 11 off 8 balls.

When Millar struck the third ball of the last over for six, it looked like the game was won.

However, the skipper took a single off the fourth delivery to reach his half century (31 balls: 3 fours, 4 sixes), which meant Dylan McElhatton was left to try and get the 3 runs required from the last two balls.

He was dismissed by McFaul, and new batsman Mattie Mills couldn't connect with the last delivery much to the delight of McFaul and his team mates.

A great match but one that perhaps should have been started earlier (6pm), or even played on a Sunday?

That surely would make more sense, especially when unseasonable weather diminishes light quality.

Newbuildings though won't care one iota, as they complete the first leg of what could be a memorable treble in the weeks ahead.

Eric Cooke Cup Final
Newbuildings beat Eglinton by 2 runs
Newbuildings 197/6 (20 overs; Samarth Seth 36, Gareth McKeegan 32, Ross Dougherty 28, Jason Dunn 25*, Ryan Hunter 21; Andy Millar 2-43)
Eglinton 195/8 (20 overs; Liam Doherty 82, Jamie Millar 50*; Gregory McFaul 3-37, Ryan Hunter 2-22)