Red Caps host title favourites

Scott Campbell of Coleraine became the first centurion of the season with his hundred against Bready but it wasn’t enough to give his side victory.

Last seasons champions Brigade got off to a flier with a comfortable win over a disappointing Fox Lodge, while Limavady as expected saw off the challenge of Glendermott. Strabane were another side who showed they will be serious challengers on all fronts with a victory over Bonds Glen.

Newly promoted Creevedonnell got a taste of what life is like in the top tier when they suffered a heavy defeat at Donemana.

Fox Lodge v Coleraine

Both these sides suffered defeats on the opening day, the Foxies just didn’t turn up against Brigade where all aspects of their game failed, in the bowling department only skipper Jonathon Robinson showed his true form while their batting and fielding was poor.

The Bannsiders got a respectable score at Bready but they fell short, however they have quite a number of useful cricketers in their side and they may prove to strong for the home side.

Prediction: Coleraine.

Bready v Brigade

Bready look like having to do without the talented Steven Clarke for at least a part of the season, but as they showed on the opening day they still have a lot of talent in their ranks and with football commitments over they will be at full strength.

Brigade may include last seasons pro Ata Ul Rehman and that can only strengthen what is already a formidable outfit, Mattie Moran certainly enjoyed the new power plays in last weeks win and they have brought in promising teenager Dean Curry.

Prediction: Brigade.

Glendermott v Creevedonnell

Even after one game both these sides look set for a season of struggle having lost their opening games. The Bonds Street men were rumoured to be struggling to get a full side available for the opening game and that doesn’t bode well for the season.

The Creevies have gone in without the services of a professional and that is a big gamble to take, Kyle Morrow got his season off to a good start with the bat but some of the others struggled, a hard one to call with home advantage maybe making the difference.

Prediction: Glendermott.

Strabane v Limavady

Two of the sides sure to be challenging for honours this season and both got off to winning starts. The Red Caps new professional Faisal Iqbal showed on the opening day that he is an excellent batsman and looks set for a big season.

Limavady had an early scare in their match last week but with talent throughout the team it was left to Decker Curry to produce the goods with the bat, on a good track their should be plenty of runs in this one.

Prediction: Limavady.

Bonds Glen v Donemana

The Bee Gees weren’t disgraced in their game at Strabane and as usual they kept fighting to the end, they have a great camaraderie in their ranks and that may help them to a few victories.

Donemana showed as usual that they will be challenging, however two of their most promising young players who were among the runs last week Ryan Hunter and Andrew McBrine may miss a good part of the season as they look to be playing for Ireland in the Under 19 World Cup.

Prediction: Donemana.