NW Cricket: Saints move second as rain ruins top flight schedule

Friday's overnight rain accounted for the entire Long's SuperValu Section 1 fixture list on Saturday while the three scheduled matches in Section 2 were all played to a finish.

Eleven overs had been completed in the match between Bready and Eglinton at Magheramason before the rain arrived with the home side 34-2, but there wasn't a ball bowled in the other three, meaning a slight backlog of fixtures as the Sports Hub Senior Cup final looms into view in less than two weeks' time.

Section 2 leaders Fox Lodge were sitting this round of matches out, but despite that, the Ballymagorry side's title push continued to gather momentum as second placed Ballyspallen lost for the third time on the spin, this time at the Rectory.

It was the Roe Valley team's normally potent batting order that was found wanting here and after restricting the home side to 177-8 from their reduced 40 overs, 'Spallen were themselves dismissed for just 78 in reply.

Kyle Morrow's 20 was the best of that as Ben Mills found top form to return figures of 4-6 from 4 overs, although all the bowlers were among the wickets. Todd Killen claimed 2-21, with the other four- Adam Boyd, Ryan Nolan, Curtis Ross and JJ O'Brien all picking up one each.

Mills (36) had also fared best of the batting in the first innings with support coming in the form of Jason Lynch, who made a very patient 34, and Ryan Nolan (33).

The visitors' bowling attack was also on the money with Stuart Kennedy (2-23) leading the way followed by Isaac Bird (2-30) and Dylan McElhinney (2-43), but it was Glendermott's day as they eased through to win by 7 wickets.

That left the door open for St Johnston to move up to second in the table and that they did with a 36-run win at home to Bonds Glen.

Alan Johnson is trapped lbw by Graham Kennedy.

A delayed start in Donegal saw this one reduced to 35 overs a side and the Saints posted a respectable total of 148 as they were sent in to bat.

Barry Scott's 31 was to be the best of that with David Lapsley adding 27 and Josh Hansadale 24 while for the Bee Gees, Dharm Singh (3-17) and Mark Robinson (3-39) were best with the ball.

Samuel Haslett (2-20) and Divan Posthumus (2-22) also bowled well, but here too, the batting reply failed to catch fire.

John Long hit 39 at the top of the visitors' order with David Robinson adding 27, but runs were proving very hard come by.

Nathan Cole (3-13), Graham McCarter (3-13) and David Lapsley (3-28) bowled very well in tandem as Bonds Glen were bowled out for 112.

Killyclooney recorded a very healthy 177-run win at home to bottom side Burndennett courtesy of a strong batting performance from the Ballyheather Road side.

Michael O'Brien thinks it's out.

Andrew Neill made 69 not out, Aron Visser 64 and Timmy Dougherty 38 before Andy Nicholl smashed 4 sixes and 3 fours in his 13-ball 41 not out as 'Clooney set their visitors a target of 283-5 (48 overs).

Conan Pollock (3-79) and Rahmatullah (2-44) claimed what bowling honors were there, and it was a similar story with the bat as Niall McDonnell's 25 and 22 from Rahmatullah was the best of their 106 all out.

IN PICTURES: Opening parade kicks-off 2025 Foyle Cup

Dougherty (3-37) led the way with the ball, followed by Jason Wallace (2-11), Alfie Moan (2-17) and Matthew Campbell (2-32) as 'Clooney secured the maximum point verdict.