North West cricket title race countdown on in earnest

There are just five games left to decide this year's Long's SuperValu title races from here, with technically five teams still in with some sort of chance of claiming the Premiership 1 crown.

Donemana currently lead the way as they bid to add this trophy to the senior cup that they won last weekend against Newbuildings, while Brigade have moved menacingly into second- currently splitting the two cup finalists in the standings.

Newbuildings' game against Eglinton this Saturday has been postponed, as Ross Hunter's men make the long trip to Munster for Sunday's All-Ireland T20 semi-final against Cork County.

The North West side would have fancied their chances against the Rebel county on another occasion, but on the back of last weekend's defeat to Donemana in the North West showpiece, they're likely to be travelling light on Sunday with all-rounders Ryan Hunter (torn hamstring) and Johnny Thompson (chipped knee bone) almost certain to miss the bus and keeper/batsman Gareth McKeegan struggling with a calf strain.

The beauty of T20 cricket of course is that it only needs a couple of players to come good to give you a chance, and the visitors have plenty of boundary hitters in their ranks, but there's probably a lot resting on their productive West Indian, Peat Salmon, if they are to book a place in the final.

With Newbuildings otherwise engaged, it's a chance for the top two to keep the pressure on their rivals, although both have tricky games to overcome.

Leaders Donemana host a Bready side who were the first team to beat them in the league this season.

That was certainly something of a shock result as Ian Young's side had won just once in their previous six league outings, however it was to prove a turning point for Bready as they now arrive at the Holm on a winning run of four.

Jason Milligan was among the runs as Fox Lodge beat Burndennett on Saturday

Whether lightning can strike twice remains to be seen, and if Gary McClintock's men haven't fully switched back on after their cup success, the visitors wouldn't need a second invitation.

Donemana will of course be without their enigmatic overseas man Anuj Jotin who has arrived back in India for pre-season training, and they will definitely feel his loss.

Brigade travel to the wonderfully unpredictable Coleraine on Saturday and although the visitors are clear favourites on current form, you can never tell what they might expect this weekend.

The Bannsiders came flying out of the traps this year winning four of their first five outings and sitting proudly at the top of the pile in early June.

Since then, they've lost four of their next five and a season that promised so much for a while has slipped off the rails.

Strangely, that inconsistency means that they could easily pop up at the weekend and pull the rug from beneath the in-form Beechgrove outfit, however it looks unlikely on all known form.

Ardmore and Strabane, two sides who haven't managed to extricate themselves from the bottom reaches of the table this year, lock horns at the Bleachgreen.

The winner here can probably breathe a lot more comfortably come Saturday night and while the home side are clear favourites, they cannot take the Red Caps lightly.

It could be quite a telling weekend for Ardmore overall, as they then welcome Coleraine to the Green on Sunday for their outstanding league replay.

Two wins would remove any doubts about Ardmore's Section 1 status, and even one would go a long way towards preservation.

Alan Johnson is bowled by Jonny Thompson

In Section 2, leaders Fox Lodge host next door neighbours Burndennett, who finally got a 'w' on the board last time out.

If the Ballymagorry side are serious about returning to the top flight next season they absolutely have to be winning matches like this.

St Johnston will look to get their push back on track as they entertain Killyclooney, however Kenzie Hall's side are another team who can step up a gear at any time.

This is a very difficult game to call, with St Johnston only just marginal favourites.

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Ballyspallen are also in a bit of a recovery mode and they will know that a big part of beating Bonds Glen will be keeping Divan Posthumus quiet.

The South African has had a productive second half to his season although the Bee Gees have also flattered to deceive at times as well.

It could be a decent game this one, with the home side again just shading favouritism.

And finally for now, Fox Lodge Women are also in All-Ireland action this weekend as they host NCU T20 champions Waringstown in the All-Ireland semi-final.

These sides have previous recent form in this competition, with the Belfast team boasting the upper hand, but the very best of luck to both Newbuildings and Fox Lodge as they look to book a national final spot.

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

Sunday:- Section 1 (12 noon) - Ardmore v Coleraine.

All Ireland T20 semi-finals:- Men - Cork County v Newbuildings; Women - Fox Lodge v Waringstown