BREADY BACK IN TITLE RACE

The Premiership title race took a twist at the weekend with defending champions Bready winning a high-scoring contest at Donemana, while Newbuildings rearranged match against Brigade washed out as no-result.

That leaves the Magheramason side top of the table going into the top-two clash this Saturday. The destiny of the crown is now very much in their own hands again and victory in their final two games will secure the trophy.

Overseas professional Irosh Samarasooriya was the inspiration for their victory at The Holm with a brilliant 120 that included 14 sixes. The affable Sri Lankan has been a pivotal figure in the side’s recent success, and recognized the importance of the win to keep alive their trophy quest.

“Saturday’s win was essential for us as we needed to maintain pressure on league Leaders Newbuildings to set up our head-to head-this coming Saturday,” Irosh told the Chronicle.

“After a few lean weeks with the bat it was great to score like I did on Saturday. Donemana is a small ground and you never know what a competitive score is there, but all of the team came in, batted positively and the bowlers backed them up and held their nerve to seal the win.

“This now sets us up for another big game this Saturday against rivals Newbuildings at Bready. We know we under-performed in the cup semi-final a few weeks ago, and the team will be looking to show that performance was a one-off and play well on Saturday.”

It’s the start of a huge few weeks for Newbuildings who have genuine hopes of a potential treble, or even a quadruple!

They have the opportunity to claim the first of those trophies as they take on holders Brigade in the final of the Faughan Valley Cup.

The match is being held at Bonds Glen, with the NW keen to reward the ‘Bee Gees’ for their magnificent work carried out at the picturesque venue in the past years.

Play starts at 2pm.

NW FIXTURES
WOMEN'S CUP
Fox Lodge v Eglinton (Fri 6.30pm at Strabane)

PREMIER (Sat 12pm)
Ardmore v Donemana
Fox Lodge v Coleraine
Bready v Newbuildings
Eglinton v Brigade

CHAMPIONSHIP
Glendermott v Ballyspallen
Burndennett v St Johnston
Strabane v Killyclooney

FAUGHAN VALLEY CUP FINAL (Sun 1pm at Bonds Glen)
Brigade v Newbuildings