All to play for as north west cricket season reaching thrilling finale

It's the final weekend of the regular league season coming up and with six games still to be played there are a host of permutations still possible in the race for Section 1 honours, and in the scrap between Coleraine and Ardmore to avoid the promotion/relegation play-off.

As things stand, Eglinton and Donemana lead the way at the top; both teams locked together on 211 points with just one game each to play.

Donemana have the seemingly easier task as they welcome already relegated Killyclooney to the Holm, but the visitors have won only one league game all season and that was against Saturday's opposition who were at that stage the only unbeaten team in the division.

It's unlikely that lightning will strike twice, given what's at stake, and also considering that Donemana's fellow title challengers - Eglinton and Newbuildings - are taking on the two teams who are scrambling to avoid the play-off.

Heading into the weekend though, Newbuildings are the only team who have the destination of the Section 1 title in their own hands.

Should Gareth McKeegan's team beat Ardmore on Saturday and Killyclooney on Sunday, and pick up at least six of the ten bonus points on offer in the process, they will be crowned champions regardless of what happens elsewhere.

If Donemana and/or Eglinton win their final league matches on Saturday, with full bonus points, and Newbuildings win twice but only get five bonus points in total, the title will then be decided on Net Run Rate, and there currently isn't much between the three of them at this stage.

And should Newbuildings fail to win one or other of their games, or win both but pick up four or less bonus points, the title will then be decided between Donemana and Eglinton if one or other earns the full 25 on Saturday.

The villagers entertain Coleraine first up, with the plot twist being that there are only three points between the Bannsiders in sixth and Ardmore in seventh in the race to avoid that play-off. Both are obviously taking on sides still very much in the title race, however Coleraine have a second bite of the cherry on Sunday as they travel to take on Brigade at Beechgrove.

Andy Britton's men probably blew their chance of title glory last weekend in that very narrow loss to Newbuildings, but they aren't mathematically out of it pending a couple of surprise defeats for the top two in their final games.

Newbuilding still have the fate of the Section one title in their hands.

It is, for now, all 'ifs and buts', however we're set for a fascinating weekend at both ends of the Section 1 table.

Things are a lot more clear cut in Section 2 and after St Johnston's narrow defeat at home to Burndennett last weekend, Strabane will be presented with the winners trophy at their home game against Bonds Glen at the end of the month.

The race for the play-off spot won't be decided this weekend as the Red Caps are taking on the Saints in the Sam Jeffrey Shield final at Ardmore in a two-innings game starting on Friday at 11 am.

Should Glendermott beat bottom side The Nedd on Sunday, that will set up a winner-take-all match against the Saints in Donegal next weekend with the winner of that playing either Ardmore or Coleraine for a place in the top-flight in 2025.

This weekend's fixtures in full

Friday and Saturday - Sam Jeffrey Shield final (At the Bleachgreen) - (50 overs, 11 am start both days) - St Johnston v Strabane

Saturday - Long's SuperValu Premiership - Section 1 (12 noon starts) - Eglinton v Coleraine; Newbuildings v Ardmore; Donemana v Killyclooney; Bready v Brigade. Section 2 (12 noon) - Burndennett v Ballyspallen; Fox Lodge v The Nedd

Sunday - Long's SuperValu Premiership - Section 1 (12 noon) - Brigade v Coleraine; Killyclooney v Newbuildings (at Newbuildings). Section 2 - Glendermott v The Nedd