Fears of a major fixture back up as the rain hits yet again

On Saturday, Coleraine 2nd XI were due to host Brigade 2nds while at the same time at Beechgrove Coleraine 1st XI were to play Brigade 1sts.

Before the visiting Brigade team reached Coleraine they had already received the call from their hosts to say that Sandel Lodge was not in a playable condition due to the heavy rain falling in Coleraine.

On the other side of the mountain, the 1st XI arrived at Brigade’s home ground, with the rain steadily becoming heavier and without any break.

The umpires waited to see if there would be any respite, but a further heavy downpour scuppered any reasonable prospects of play and the game was abandoned.

Both these games are to be rescheduled, but the recent poorer weather is causing concern in the NWCU, with fixtures forming a backlog.

Meanwhile, this Sunday was closed to any Premier league play, due to the T20 Interpros taking place in Dublin, in the final fixtures to decide the winners of this year’s trophy.

Two of Coleraine’s 1st XI, selected for the Warriors, were able to travel to Dublin on Saturday afternoon, to prepare to play in the game against the Leinster Lightnings.

Scott Campbell and Rishi Chopra were both looking forward to the game, but the lasting effects of Saturday’s rain meant that too much damage had been done to the grounds to allow the match to go ahead.

Consequently the North West Warriors, with 11 points, won the T20 Interprovincial Series in its second year, beating both the Leinster Lightnings and the Northern Knights, on 8 and 6 points respectively.

Coleraine players are also featuring in the Ireland Under15 and Ulster Schools teams, which are both in action this week in England and Scotland.

Brothers, Varun and Rishi Chopra are playing in the tournaments, the former for Ireland at Rugby and the latter for the Ulster Schools side in Durham and Dumfries.

The Ireland Under15s have already started their campaign in the ICC European Cup series with a convincing win over Guernsey on Sunday, with Coleraine leg spinner Varun, taking four wickets for 11 runs.

The Ulster Schools have their first game on Monday against the West of Scotland Academy team.

This week, the Coleraine Firsts will be in action on Thursday evening at Sandel Lodge, at 6.30pm, in the Semi Final of the Fleming-Agri Faughan Valley Charity T20 Cup.

At this stage, with the postponed Quarter Final between Eglinton and Brigade taking place on Monday evening, Coleraine must wait to hear who their opponents will be.

The T20 Cup is a lively and entertaining competition for spectators and the Club hopes that supporters will be out in good numbers for the game on Thursday.

Next weekend, the 2nd XI are to play against Strabane 2nds on Saturday at Strabane Park. Coleraine 3rd XI are also away on Saturday, to Donemana 3rds at the Holm.

On Sunday the 1st XI meet Strabane at Sandel Lodge in the Premier League. Strabane are currently just ahead of Coleraine, in second place in the league, with all still to play for in a tightly contested competition this year as the actions begins to heat up.