League action back on the menu after West Indies visit

The Long's SuperValu league is back at the top of the North West agenda this weekend after a plethora of other distractions over the past few weeks.

Thankfully the weather relented in time to salvage the last of the Ireland v West Indies games, but now that it has come and gone, the focus switches back to the race for domestic honours.

Ironically, the re-shuffle required means that with the senior cup and Sammy Jeffrey semi-finals scheduled for next weekend, the likelihood is that we'll be down to the finals of the various cup competitions with the majority of teams having played just a quarter of their league matches.

The upside of that is that teams will pretty much be able to focus exclusively on the title race in the second half of the season, and for now it looks like it's going to be a fascinating watch in both divisions.

There are several huge games on both Saturday and Sunday in the top flight this weekend with current leaders Coleraine set to have their ambitions severely tested, firstly away at Newbuildings on Saturday, and then at Beechgrove in their rearranged match the following day.

Rory Knox is really getting a tune out of the Bannsiders at present and he has acknowledged the role that David Cooke and new overseas man Louren Steenkamp have played in their progress to date.

The availability of both Scott Campbell and Marcus Poskitt for these key games is also a huge factor because at full strength, this is as good a side as the north coast club has fielded in a while.

Newbuildings have put together a couple of wins as expected, and they seem to have the scent back in their nostrils again.

Ross Hunter has done a great job at the helm there after a quiet start and this could be a cracker.

Unbeaten Donemana go to an Ardmore side that has blown hot and cold, and it's not difficult to expect that the Holm side will be further fired up to make a mark this season after a very difficult week for the club.

The problem for Gary McClintock's men is that they might also have an eye on two massive cup ties coming up- at Brigade and Balbriggan- but they have a look in the eye at the minute that suggests they'll play anybody.

Strangely, Brigade have lost two of their three league games so far and another defeat this weekend, either away at Bready or at home to Coleraine, would leave them with some serious work to do on the back nine.

Andy Britton's men are another side you write off at your peril and while they'll be favourites to overcome a Bready side that really hasn't found its shooting boots yet, they will need to be at their best to win both, on a busy weekend.

Century for Gayan Maneeshan.

The two bottom sides- Strabane and Eglinton- lock horns at the Park with points very much at a premium.

They're separated in the table by just Net Run Rate at the minute and there might not be too much in it on Saturday either.

You maybe feel that pound for pound the villagers have a slight edge, but time will tell.

In Section 2, unbeaten pair St Johnston and Ballyspallen both have very difficult hurdles to overcome this weekend.

The Foxes are now just a single point ahead of 'Spallen after the Roe Valley side blew Bonds Glen away on Sunday, but they have to go to third placed St Johnston and win if they want to keep their record intact.

The Donegal outfit have won three of their four league outings to date but have also put in a few low-scoring afternoons as well. At their best they'll give the Ballymagorry side a real test, especially with home advantage.

Ballyspallen travel to Killyclooney and the same comments apply here too.

'Clooney have half a dozen potential match-winners in their side, Kenzie Hall and Timmy Dougherty in particular have been in decent form of late. When it comes together they're a match for anyone.

They'll be well aware there are three or four in the visiting team that will need special attention this weekend and their ability to do that could dictate the outcome.

Glendermott have started to find the form everyone was expecting and they're at bottom side Bonds Glen on Saturday.

Ardmore's Derish Joseph is bowled by Donemana's Anuj Jotin.

The home side will be very keen to put that Ballyspallen experience from Sunday behind them very quickly as the Rectory side will be another very tough nut to crack here.

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The weekend's fixtures in full:-

Saturday - Long's SuperValu Premiership Section 1 (12 noon) - Ardmore v Donemana; Bready v Brigade; Newbuildings v Coleraine; Strabane v Eglinton. Long's SuperValu Section 2 (12 noon) - Bonds Glen v Glendermott; Killyclooney v Ballyspallen; St Johnston v Fox Lodge

Sunday - Long's SuperValu Section 1 (12 noon) - Brigade v Coleraine