P McLaughlin, after a remarkable period in Junior and Intermediate cricket with the Donemana Cricket Club during the 1920s, during which he scored many centuries, really came to prominence when he joined the Strabane Cricket Club. In 1931 he scored his maiden century in senior cricket, scoring 104 not out against Waterside on 30 May. Later in the same season he scored 110 against the York and Lancaster Regiment.

A great start indeed, but better was still to come as he, together with JL Rankin, established a third wicket partnership that was to become the downfall of many North West attacks during the 1930s. In all McLaughlin scored nine centuries whilst with Strabane, his best season being 1931 when he scored 645 runs.

McLaughlin returned to the Donemana Club after they had regained senior status in 1944 and for many seasons he continued to produce match-winning performances for the powerful Donemana side. In 1951, while perhaps considered to be at the veteran stage of his long cricket career, he scored a further century by hitting 100 against a very strong Sion Mills team.

In 1936 RW Taylor joined the Strabane club from St Johnston and with two centuries for St Johnston already behind him he, together with P McLaughlin and JL Rankin, laid the foundation of what was perhaps the best batting combination ever seen in North West cricket. In all Taylor scored four centuries while with Strabane between 1936 and 1938. In 1938 he moved to play for the Waterside club and in their fixture against St Johnston in June he scored a brilliant 109 not out.

After the Second World War Taylor appeared in the City of Derry team and again recorded a century (123) this time against Eglinton in May 1946. When he left the City of Derry club he joined Eglinton and finished his playing career there, scoring a further four centuries for Eglinton including a memorable first innings 112 in Eglinton's 80 run victory over Donemana in the 1954 North West Senior Cricket Cup final.

An attractive bat, Taylor, whose batting gave him 11 centuries, has the distinction of scoring a century with four different clubs, an achievement unlikely to be equalled.