Top two clash headlines domestic North West cricket programme

There's no let-up in the race for domestic cricket honours this weekend as the top two in the Long's SuperValu Premiership Section 1 table, Donemana and Brigade, square up in Tyrone on Saturday afternoon.

The Holm side are the reigning champions and are obviously gunning for a league and cup double now following their impressive senior cup success against Newbuildings at the start of the month.

Brigade, who lost two of their first three games in the league have now won five on the bounce to put themselves bang in contention , while in that same period of time, Gary McClintock's men were beaten by both Bready and Newbuildings as they temporarily lost top spot in the table.

It's far from winner take all on Saturday, especially given that Newbuildings remain within touching distance themselves. Should the hosts come out on top however, they'd have a lead of anything up to 36 points with just three games to go, and they very rarely make mistakes from there.

Newbuildings would be strong favourites as they go to Ardmore and the visitors need an emphatic win to stay in the picture.

Their defeat at Eglinton last weekend certainly didn't suggest a team in form, but on the face of it, with a trip to Cork straight after that game, you could excuse that unfamiliar effort.

Ardmore secured some very valuable points against Strabane last time, but only just. They're not entirely out of the woods yet but both the villagers and the Red Caps have a lot to do to move away from those bottom two places.

Eglinton are likely to fancy their chances against inconsistent Coleraine but to their credit, Rory Knox's side did impress against Strabane last week; a result that lifted the north coast side back into the Top 4.

They've already shown they can mix it with anyone on their day and finishing in the top half really would be a decent season for Coleraine despite spending a week in top spot just a month ago.

Strabane host Bready this Saturday with the Magheramason side also having extricated themselves from the dogfight at the bottom with a 4-win streak last month.

Like Coleraine. Ian Young's side has punched below their weight a bit this summer, but they'll be favourites to add to their hosts' problems here.

In Section 2, Fox Lodge have a 55-point lead over St Johnston in the table, and while they are closing in on the title and subsequent promotion, they're probably a little more concerned by Glendermott in third.

The Rectory side has two games in hand over their Donegal counterparts and are just 18 points behind, however ironically, second and third now meet this weekend at the Boathole.

Bready Women's League winners

The Foxes are away at Killyclooney- that's no 'gimme' either with the Ballyheather Road side now up to third- but should Jonny Robinson's men emerge with the points, that might just about be it.

Glendermott are in action twice this weekend as they play 'Clooney on Sunday as well and conversely, should the Bonds Street side win twice, it could well be game on.

Burndennett host Ballyspallen in the final game and the visitors have lost a bit of air from their tyres in recent weeks.

The hosts have at least got ink in the win column now and whatever pressure may have been their previously will have lifted a bit.

Before the league action gets under way this weekend there's a cracking double-header to look forward to at Eglinton on Friday.

The Girls under-11 cup final begins at 12 noon between Bonds Glen and Bready and that is followed by the main event- the senior women's decider between Bready and Fox Lodge at 3 pm.

Coleraine skipper Rory Knox is bowled by Newbuildings' Ryan Hunter

There should be a good crowd at the village venue for a great day, and similarly, the same at Donemana on Sunday as the Holm club's Second XI takes on Woodvale IIs in the Ulster Plate- that one getting underway at 12.30.

This weekend's fixtures:

Friday:- At Eglinton CC - Under-11 Girls Cup final (12 noon) - Bonds Glen v Bready. Women's Senior final (3.00 pm) - Bready v Fox Lodge.

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

Sunday:- Section 2 (12 noon) - Glendermott v Killyclooney. Ulster Plate Final (12.30) - Donemana IIs v Woodvale IIs (At the Holm)