Despite the threat of poor weather all the games in the first round of the Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup were completed on time on Saturday and the Northern sides put up a much better performance than had been the case in recent years.

Five of the ten NW teams progressed to the next round and that could have been as many as seven but for the fact that two sides who were forced to field without their professional went down to narrow defeats. The top three in the NCU progressed with wins for North Down, Instonians and Waringstown.

 Game of the day was at the Hunter Memorial Grounds where Limavady hosted Railway Union, the Leinster side, recent winners of the competition, boasting Irish International players Trent Johnston, Kenny Carroll, Kevin O’Brien and Thinus Fourie in their line up. Despite a few mind games earlier in the week, David Cooke had a full squad available to him, including the returning Des Curry who had missed the last couple of games due to his partner’s illness.

Trent Johnston won the toss and somewhat surprisingly asked the hosts to bat, and Cooke and Ian McGregor got them off to a decent start. The real damage was done by Curry and professional Aghar Sabir however, both men scoring 60 as Limavady posted 246-9 in their 50 overs.

Railway were always slightly behind the required rate, but whilst O’Brien was at the wicket they always had a chance, although their cause wasn’t helped by a steady fall at the other end. Thinus Fourie kept his International colleague company as best he could with 36, but when O’Brien went to a good catch from Decker Curry for 79, the game was up. The Roesiders eventually won by a comfortable 50 runs to claim a magnificent scalp and establish themselves as one of the teams to fear in this competition.

 Cork Harlequins made the arduous trek North to take on Brigade at Beechgrove and the journey seemed to have caught up with them as they took 30 overs to crawl to just about as many runs. A dogged half century from Dean Clavis saw them improve somewhat in the latter stages although their total of 139 would hardly have caused much anxiety in the home changing room. There were a couple of wickets apiece for Iftikhar Hussein and Graeme Moore, playing his first game of the season in place of Paul Stafford.

The North West champions laboured somewhat themselves to get over the winning line, an unbeaten half century from Hussein seeing them home with 5 wickets in hand, whilst Morne Bauer and Simon Willis also claimed 2 wickets apiece for the visitors who did at least put up a creditable performance.

 Up at Strabane Park the home team kept the run intact for the North West big guns as they overcame a stubborn Carrickfergus outfit. A Colin Birch half century and useful contributions from Cowden, Cooper and Gilmore saw the visitors graft out 179-6 although that was probably 50 below par on a decent track.

Strabane professional Jonathan Beuckes provided a solid backbone to the home team’s reply scoring 67, and support came in the shape of skipper Peter Gillespie who followed up a decent spell with the ball by adding 33 runs. John Gillespie with 20 not out eased Strabane into the second round with a solid all round win with 6 wickets to spare.

Up at Magheramason, Bready also accounted for NCU opposition when they beat Derriaghy in comfortable fashion. The visitors slumped from 117-3 to 148 all out as they struggled to cope with the spin of Trevor Britton who finished with 4-23, and the seam of Frikkie Holshauzen who took 3-17. Only skipper Andrew Kenny offered much resistance, he led by example scoring 53 but found little by way of support.

Trevor Britton’s side were allowed to coast to victory after Christopher Dougherty (30)and David Rankin (47) again laid the foundations and although they contrived to lose 5 wickets for few runs late in the game Mark Olphert’s unbeaten 23 saw them safely home. Professional Aphale took 2 wickets for Derriaghy but in truth only put a respectable complexion on a straightforward win.

Fox Lodge faced probably the most daunting challenge of the home contingent, Gary Neely’s side unable to make it 5 out of 5 for North West hosts as they went down to a very strong side from The Hills. Brian Allen and Jason Milligan dug in after the Foxes lost professional Jonker for 18, and at 77-1 they were well in the match. 104-3 became 104-6 before Richard Devine played very well at number 8 to steer the Ballymagorry men to 163-7, which unfortunately then became 163 all out.

Despite losing Jeremy Bray to Gary Neely for 17, Barry Archer with a beautifully crafted 57 and Patrick Byrne with an unbeaten 48 saw the visitors home with the minimum of fuss. The Hills certainly look like a side capable of doing well in this competition and few teams will relish drawing them in the next round.

Donemana professional Azhar Shafiq was instrumental in their 100 run win at CIYMS. The Pakistani left hander made the most of 3 reprieves, to post an unbeaten 110 in their total of 242 for 6. He faced 134 balls, hitting 11 fours and 3 sixes, and accelerated his knock perfectly, scoring his second 50 from just 42 balls. He was given good support by the increasingly consistent James McBrine (41), and Graeme Boyd chipped in with 26. Former Irish international Derek Heasley (2-42) bowled well for the home side.

Given the strength of the Donemana bowling, that score was always likely to be well beyond the reach of the Belmont side, and so it proved. Jordan McGonigle, Andy Britton and Shafiq each claiming two wickets as CIYMS were dismissed for 142. Only Allan Sleith (35), Paul McCrum (30) and Michael Hingston (22) offering any resistance.

Lowest total of the day was recorded by Glendermott, whose miserable start to the season continued at Merrion where they could only score 77. Again without Hasan Raza, who has been selected for a Pakistan XI to take part in a 20/20 competition later this month in the USA, they struggled to get runs on the board. Wajihuddin (27) and Maurice Ferguson (14) were the only players to reach double figures. Merrion’s Australian professional Matthew Petrie (5-15) doing the damage.

To their credit Glendermott refused to bow out meekly, and fired up captain Johnny Thompson took 6 wickets to have them wobbling at 33-6. Kade Beasley with 23 got Merrion over the finishing line with 3 wickets in hand.

Gary Kidd also sent the Irish selectors a timely reminder as he spun Waringstown to a 7 wicket win over Pembroke. The Dublin side managed just 102, as Kidd (5-21) and McCallan (2-16) tied them up in knots. That was no challenge as McCallan (39*), and James Hall (31) saw them reach their target in 23.5 overs).

Ardmore faced the most difficult tie of the day, away at cup holders North County. The home side racked up 301 for 7, with Brian Shields making the most of a rare outing in the first team, to record his first senior century for the club. Irish international Reinhardt Strydom (66) and Richie Lawrence (52) both made half centuries, while Dara Armstrong made a quick 47. Gerard Brolly (3-56) was the best for Ardmore with the ball.

That total was always going to be well beyond their capability, and so it proved, as they were bowled out for 135. Brian Brolly made 27, but they were thankful for the concession of 50 extras. There were two wickets each for Denver De Cruz and Reinhardt Strydom.

Killymallaght put up a brave fight at Shaw’s Bridge against Instonians before going down by 12 runs. They must feared the worst after Instonians racked up 282 for 4 – Rory McCann (139), James Shannon (58), Johnny Stevenson (36), and Andrew White (35*) all getting among the runs. Peter Allen (3-54) the only relative success for the visitors.

Without their professional Danza Hyatt, nobody would have expected them to get close, but they certainly had other ideas. They gave their illustrious opponents a fright by posting 270/9, with Gareth McKeegan top scoring with 84, and Chris Cooper (51) and D Moore (44*) batting well.

Rush batted first against Lisburn, and Dan van Zyl immediately took on the Lisburn bowling, flaying it to all parts for 104 off 75 deliveries in an opening stand of 207. Fellow opener Fintan McAllister was a little more circumspect, reaching his ton in 105 balls, and anchoring the innings with 150. Saadat Gul (21), Shahid Iqbal (35) and Niall Mullen (32) kept up the onslaught. The final score was 381/7, with David Simpson’s 10 overs realising 3/64 and Richard Booth’s 2/64.

Tipu Gull’s opening spell of 4/32, together with Naseer Shaukat’s 1/13, left Lisburn on 28/5. Neil McDowell restored some pride with a fine 78 (6 fours and 7 sixes), and Richard Booth (17) and Adam Berry (13) help reduce the final deficit to 215 runs as Lisburn were all out for 166 off 34.4 overs. Niall Mullen took 2/15 and three catches, and Dan van Zyl 1/12.

Cliftonville won the toss and decided to bat in what turned out to be a most exciting match at CYM. Taking time to get use to the mat, Cliftonville soon got into their stride. Good batting from Johnny Terrett who hit a great century 109 Gareth McKee 50 and Paul Stirling 39 brought their total to 264 for 6 in 50 over. Best of the bowlers for CYMS were Michael Launders 2 for 42, Ken Brennan 1 for 36, John Hoey 1 for 42, and Ullah 1 for 23.

In reply CYMS decided to chase the total right from the start with some big hitting from Ken McDonald (84), Donald Vaughan 72 and some lusty blows from John Hoey 25 Not Out and 14 from Ullah from 5 balls saw CYMS home with an over to spare. Best of the bowlers for Cliftonville Brian Anderson 3 for 59, Connor McCully 1 for 53 and Paul Stirling 2 for 45.

Malahide were skittled for just 78 at home to North Down. Ireland hopeful Peter Connell (4-12) knocked on the selectords doors, while Taimur Khan (3-10) also impressed. That score was never going to be enough, and Joe Montgomery and Ryan Haire both batted well to take the Comber side safely into round two with 7 wickets to spare.

Clontarf, thanks to half centuries from Alex Cusack and Eoghan Delany posted 255 at Xastle Avenue versus Bangor. That was 103 too many for the Seasiders, for whom Ryan Bell top scored with 37,. Rod Hokin and Delany each picked up two wickets.

There were runs aplenty at Stormont, where Jason Molins made a welcome return to his old international stomping ground. He made 42 as Leinster scored 295/4 – the show as stolen by Keely Todd who hit 24 fours and a six in an unbeaten 173. That was 57 runs too many for SCN, who put up a brave fight nonetheless, with Jones and Arthur both getting half centuries.

In the final game between YMCA and Eglinton, the visitors elected to bat and got off to a flyer as Adam Rice and Warwick Armstrong found it difficult to control the white ball. The former never sorted it out but Armstrong did in his fourth over when whipped out two batmen (finishing with 2-29 off 7overs). The pitch had variable bounce, and some rats, one of which saw Rob Nandi grab the first of his three in his first four overs (3-17 off 7 overs). Etesham Ahmed bowled threateningly and with control for his 3-28 off 7 overs, as the Eglintonians found ways to get out. By the ninth over they were 39 for 2 and a bit of cautious batting saw something of a recovery. Pravajan Mullick was eventually caught by Rob Nandi low down and falling forward at square leg, for a careful 31 — 81 – 4. Thereafter the batsmen found ways to get out with a variety of skiers and subsided for 130 in the 38th over. (Extras with 31 contributed the highest score.)

Alan Lewis opened the innings and showed all his old ability to read a game as he missed few opportunities to score — he had prepared by making a few for the for the seconds in Middle B the previous weekend. Extras got off to a flyer with a boundary wide and four byes in the first over. Carl Hosford kept Lewis company until the job was about half done at 59 for two. After that, it was possible to be watchful and wait for the bad ball. Ben Dunk, showed an array of lovely clean off-drives in some powerful hitting (and one unmerciful cow-shot off Bobby Rao); he was also very severe on anything wide of his off-stump. Rao eventually did for Lewis (39) caught at mid-on attempting to hit over the top, but at 109 for three it was all too late. Dunk saw YM home with 48 off 32 balls. Mullick was perhaps the pick of the bowlers with one for 23 off his 7 overs, with Johnny Gardner next (1-15 off 5. Bobby Rao twirled away giving the batsmen plenty to think about for his 1 for 27 off 5. (Extras at 25 could only come third.)

The draw for the next round will take place on Friday May 16th at Stormont between innings of the Ireland v Warwickshire game.