Newbuildings claim first ever Senior Cup crown

Newbuildings CC are tonight celebrating their first senior cup win after Gareth McKeegan's men made it third time lucky as they beat Donemana by 5-wickets in an entertaining encounter at Beechgrove in front of the biggest, noisiest crowd to ever grace a cricket ground in these parts.

Friday's persistent rain meant that only one innings was possible on Day 1 and it saw the Holm side, sent in to bat by the Newbuildings skipper, recover from 96-5 to post a competitive total of 173.

IN PICTURES: Newbuildings CC defeat Donemana by five wickets to claim first senior cup win

Levi Dougherty made an impressive 50 in the middle order after Raymond Curry (39) and Rumesh Buddhika (22) had got the scoreboard moving, but those apart, only William McClintock with 15 had made it into double figures.

Gregory McFaul was excellent with the new ball; he claimed 4-32 with Ryan Hunter adding 3-26 and Trent McKeegan 2-28.

Battle was joined again on Saturday morning and in fairness it turned out to be a fairly similar story in Newbuildings' reply. Overseas man Samarth Seth anchored the innings with a controlled 58 (8 fours) but only Ross Dougherty (23) and Jason Dunn (21) contributed elsewhere.

That was before former Donemana player Johnny Thompson arrive in the middle and with his side in a bit of trouble at 158-8, 'JT' smacked 4 fours and 3 sixes in his even-time 48 that allowed the batting side to take an 18-run first innings lead into the second half.

Following Friday's early abandonment, the hours lost meant each side now now face a maximum of 34 overs and thankfully, with blue skies overhead, the match was to be completed within the two days.

Donemana soon put the deficit behind them, but no sooner had they done that than they lost skipper McClintock for 15. Buddhika followed soon after, but despite Curry battling hard for 27, the middle order gave way.

Thompson backed up his late rally with 3-21 with Trent McKeegan (2-29) and McFaul (2-35) providing good support.

Good late work from David O'Sullivan (26) and William McBrine (18) finally saw Donemana's lead past the three figures and the final reckoning was that Newbuildings would need 109 to lift the famous old trophy.

As with the previous three innings however, it wasn't long before the nerves set in- O'Sullivan, Gary Neely, Gary McClintock and Dean Mehaffey all among the wickets as the batting side were again reduced to 64-5.

Donemana skipper Gary McClintock celebrates the wicket of Jason Dunn

Seth now looked the key and the Indian batsman was ready to rise to the occasion on what now appears to have been his last game (for this season at least) as his 46 not out and 13 from 'JT' steered their side to a famous win.

Chairman Brian Dougherty and President Connie McAllister took some time to temper the excitement of the crowd long enough to make the presentation to the clearly delighted (and relieved) Captain McKeegan.