Away from the Bob Kerr Cup there were three games in Division 1 of the Billy Henderson Properties league with the two contests that were completed going to form. Bready travelled to Glendermott and in a scene which has been repeated so often in the past 6 weeks that it is becoming scary, Gordon Montgomery and Lendell Richardson both scored half centuries in a big opening partnership before the wheels came off. From 110 for 1 Glendermott slumped to 153 all out as their batting was cruelly exposed yet again and Bready were allowed to win as they liked. Trevor Hamilton with 4 for 12 and Con De Lange with 4 for 22 showed once more that genuine players of spin bowling are few and far between and 72 not out from Steven Clarke and an unbeaten half century from Mark Olphert added up to a 7 wicket win for the Magheramason side as they stayed in contention for a league and cup double.

Eglinton recovered from a precarious position to get the better of Killymallaght in a mid-table clash, improving from 92 for 5 to post a total of 245 thanks to a century partnership between Johnny Gardiner and Bobby Rao. Gardiner went on to make 80 in an impressive knock whilst his team-mate added a very valuable 46 at the other end as Killymallaght struggled to break them up. At one stage in their reply Gareth McKeegan’s side were 125 for 2, the usual suspects of McKeegan and Bland putting them in the driving seat before they too came apart at the seams. Fittingly it was Bobby Rao who did for both as he went on to claim 5 for 37 in a magnificent all round performance although it was widely believed that the former Indian Test player then announced his retirement to the rest of the squad immediately after the game. Obviously there will be more to follow on that over the coming weeks but with those sorts of performances still in the locker, Eglinton will be hoping that Rao reconsiders his decision.

The final game is due to finish this evening at Ballymagorry with Fox Lodge favourites to see off winless Coleraine after the rains brought a premature end to proceedings on Saturday. Mohammed Salman top scored for the visitors with 98 and Wilson Torrens continued his good form making 46 in a fighting total of 236 for 7, however a couple of dropped catches may have proved costly for the Bannsiders as the Foxes reached 202 for 6 before the thunder and lightning set in. It’s hardly ideal to have to travel the whole way up again this evening for what will take 40 minutes either way but Vischal Chopra’s side will consider the journey well worthwhile if they can defy the odds and pick up four quick wickets.