'Dennett win cup as Ardmore move clear

BONDS Glen lost their second final in the space of a week when they relinquished the Sammy Jeffrey Trophy to Burndennett in a disappointing contest at Eglinton on Saturday.

Batting first the holders found runs very difficult to come by early on and it took a fourth wicket partnership between Colin Hall and Johnny Haslett to help lift them towards something competitive.

Still, it was hardly compelling viewing with just 90 runs in the first 30 overs although Hall dug in really well in making a half century.

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Willie Jackson chipped in with 21 as well as the Bee Gees eventually finished with 172 all out. Mark Roulston with 3 for 23 was the pick of Burndennett's bowling with Philip Kelly, Dean Mehaffey and Stephen Williamson all chipping in with two each.

Kelly then swapped bat for ball as he and Roulston set about laying the platform from which Burndennett launched their winning bid. Those two put on 50 for the first wicket and when Roulston went, to be followed quickly by Mark Pollock, Dean Mehaffey with an unbeaten 55 and Mark Doherty (25 not out) closed out a very comfortable win for Jimmy Boyle's side.

With the Bee Gees otherwise engaged Ardmore availed of the opportunity to crank up the title race as they thumped fourth placed Drummond by 152 runs. Most of the Ardmore batsmen chipped in with David McAllister doing best in making 45 out of a total of 222, although Mr Extras topped even that as a wasteful Drummond attack gifted 48 runs to the cause.

Gordon Cooke and Craig Hartin claimed 2 wickets each but the hosts' batting was as far off as their bowling in reply. Only Cooke with 28 and Stevie Moore with 18 made it into double figures, Conor Brolly (4 for 28) doing best with the ball with 2 wickets each for Gerard Brolly, George Brolly and Ger McAuley. In the end Drummond mustered just 70 all out as the Bleachgreen side hits form at precisely the right time.

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Creevedonnell signed off for the year with another easy win; visitors Ballyspallen travelling with just 10 players and opening with grandfather/grandson combination of Sam and Calum McGregor. Unfortunately they were to manage just 106 all out as skipper Clive Rodgers made 24 and Jamie Millar 21 while Charlie Elder, Nicky Cooke and Leighton McGarrigle claimed 2 wickets apiece.

Johnny Moore made an unbeaten 31 in the Creevies' reply, Leighton McGarrigle also hitting 31 and skipper Scroggie an unbeaten 29 in a straightforward 8-wicket verdict.

The final match saw The Nedd record a welcome 2 points when they travelled to Killyclooney and came away with 87 runs to spare. Star of the show for the visitors was Kyle Morrow, the opener blasting 17 fours and 7 sixes on his way to 148.

Graeme Stewart bowled well for the home side claiming 4 for 40 but their batting wasn't quite as potent, managing just 132 all out. Johnny Murray with 4 for 36 did best with the ball with support coming from Creighton Wilson who claimed 3 for 34. As a footnote, skipper Wilson's son, Jacob made his senior debut in the win at the ripe old age of 9!

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The promotion hunters are both in action next weekend; Bonds Glen have a chance to exact swift revenge on Burndennett when those two clash again in the league whilst Ardmore should have too any guns for Killyclooney.

Ballyspallen entertain The Nedd and Drummond travel to Sion in Saturday's final pair of games as the season enters its latter stages.