Many in the mix as title race continues

Bonds Glen continue to set the pace and the Bee Gees certainly had to do it the hard way as they chased down Killyclooney's 258 all out to win by three wickets.

The visitors had Graeme McCarter to thank for their big total, the teenager belting 150 as he prepares to head of to Gloucester for another summer academy whilst James Colhoun chipped in with 33 and Ken Colhoun 25. The hosts' bowling was a real joint effort between David Robinson who returned 5 for 42 and Willie Jackson who claimed 4 for 46.

Bonds Glen were in danger of falling short before a half century from Richard Hepburn put them right back in it and a superb unbroken partnership of 121 between Leslie Curry (65 not out) and Willie Jackson (58 not out) steered them home.

Ardmore kept the pressure on as they were much too strong for Sion Mills, Paul McDowell and Adrian Murphy anchoring the batting with 55 and 41 respectively before an unbeaten ninth wicket stand between Gerard Brolly (46) and George Brolly (26) set the visitors on their way to an imposing 247 for 9.

Mark Patterson with 3 for 60 was the most productive of the bowlers but their reply never got going and they were dismissed for just 84. George Brolly was again in good form with the ball and Ciaran McDermott really impressed too in a facile win.

Creevedonnell got the better of a high scoring game with Drummond, Stephen Scroggie's side asked to chase down the visitors' 267 for 8 to record their third league win on the bounce.

Former Ireland international Gordon Cooke was the man in form for Drummond, the skipper's unbeaten 117 easily the highlight of their effort.

Creevedonnell however have the winning habit for now and all their batsmen chipped in as they chased the total down in comfortable fashion. Andrew Clarke continued his good run making 55 with Charlie Elder (48), skipper Scroggie (42), Ellis McGarrigle (41) and Nicky Cooke (32 not out) all contributing to the win.

The final game saw the North West's only unbeaten run extended as Burndennett saw off The Nedd by four wickets. The visitors could manage just 128 all out in their innings, Kyle Morrow and Ryan Magee making 28 apiece whilst Mark Roulston was the star for the home team as he claimed five wickets.

Burndennett however were never completely comfortable and another 40 runs would have made things interesting as they lost six wickets in the chase. Mark Doherty was unbeaten on 34 at the end however as Burndennett served notice that they are a force to be reckoned with this season.

It's back to the cup next weekend and with St Johnston having lost their place following on from their registration indiscretions, Ardmore now travel to Strabane in the quarter final of this year's Northern Bank competition.

The Bleachgreen side's Sammy Jeffrey first round tie at Bonds Glen goes on the back burner now then meaning that the only scheduled game features Killyclooney against Ballyspallen.

The hosts look likely to start favourites in that one given their improved showing of late with the prize for the winners a home tie against Sion Mills in the last eight.