The Sperrin Springs Faughan Valley Cup got under way last night with action in both the Senior One and Two sections.

 

Glendermott's poor start to the season continued, as minus 4 first team regulars, and still with no sign of Hasan Raza, they were skittled for just 59 at Limavady. Skipper Johnny Thompson top scored with 26 - the other ten batsman managed just 24 between them. Spinners Agha Sabir with 4 for 8 and Simon Dunn (3-7) doing the damage.

 

Limavady easily passed the total for the loss of just 3 wickets in 11.5 overs.

 

Fox Lodge beat Bready by the same margin at Ballymagorry - 45 not out from Brian Allen and 38 from South African professional Christian Jonker helping them overhaul the Bready score of 119 for 9 - Johnny Robinson's opening spell of 4 for 11 effectively ending the game as a serious contest.

 

In Senior Two, holders Burndennett crashed out, beaten by 10 wickets at Killyclooney. Dean McCarter (70*) and Ken Colhoun (40*) adding an unbroken 118 for the first wicket in pursuit of Burndennett's modest 117 for 8. Jason Foley with 35 top scored for Burndennett, while Alan Barr had the best figures of 3 for 26.

 

St Johnston ousted Sion Mills, as Ian McBeth (74) and Andrew Fleming (44) helped the Saints post 161 for 4. In reply, despite good scores from Mark Patterson (33), and Giles Moan (32), Sion fell 45 runs short - two wickets apiece for James Robinson, Andrew Fleming and Murali.

 

Bonds Glen edged out Drummond by 8 runs, with Gary Hamilton's 40 the highlight of their score of 159 for 6. That proved to be enough in spite of 78 from Drummond professional Shazahad Butt, and an unbeaten 35 from skipper Craig Hartin.

 

The final game also proved to a nail biter as Creevedonnell got their season up and running with a 5 run win at home to Coleraine. Hanif Malik top scored with 43 in their score of 124 for 8, with Coleraine falling just short on 119 - Derek Scott made 32, while for Creevedonnell there were good spells from Jason Turner (3-35), Gerard Porter (2-31) and Brian Dougherty (2-14).