NW CRICKET: Ardmore win the Qualifying Four Cup after nail biter

Ardmore players celebrate their Qualifying Four Cup final win.

With seven runs needed from 11 balls, Raj Mehta (34) fell on his stumps to give Ardmore the win in the most unfortunate of circumstances.

Bready had looked set to capture the trophy as Gavin McCombe’s 62 took them to 120 for 2 chasing just 160.

Dean Chambers (3-34) and David Bradley (2-14) sparked a dramatic collapse, with Caolan Young (1-22), Dessie McCourt (1-26) and Euan Stanley (1-32) also bowling well to keep the pressure on.

Ardmore skipper Mark Gillen had dominated the first innings rescuing his side from a precarious 14 for 3 with a boundary laden 78.

Gillen hit 10 fours and 2 sixes in a fantastic innings, sharing a fourth wicket stand of 95 with Steven Barrow (14).

Alana Dalzell (3-32), Trevor Austin (2-16) and Nathan McCombe (2-23) were all among the wickets in a disciplined bowling display by the Bready side.

Austin then top produced the goods with the bat as he scored 38, receiving good support from Gavin McCombe (32) and skipper Lindsay Allen (27) as Bready made 167 - a lead of 25.

Teenagers Dean Chambers (3-34) and Conor King (2-29) were the pick of the Ardmore attack, with the experienced David Bradley also taking 2 for 34.

Kyle Martin (45) anchored the Ardmore second innings, with Gillen (34) and veteran Michael Dalton (39) providing the impetus - both hitting 5 boundaries during their spell.

Trevor Austin (4-22) was the stand-out bowler for Bready as the Bleachgreen men finished on 184/8 in their second innings.

North West President and Ardmore native Connie McAllister paid tribute to Ballyspallen for their wonderful hospitality, and praised both set of players for a wonderful spectacle.

Mark Gillen was the clear winner of the Man-of-the-Match accolade for scoring an impressive 112 runs over the two innings.