Strabane came out on top of the battle between two of the sides expected to be serious challengers for the Senior One crown.

Once again it was their new professional, Pakistani international Faisal Iqbal, who guided the Tyrone men home in a potentially tricky run chase.

Facing a Limavady target of 199, the innings was given a solid foundation by the Strabane opening pair of Niall McDonnell (36) and Kevin Martin (22) who put on 60 before both fell in quick succession to the off-spin of Simon Dunn (2-39).

Mark Gillespie made 16 before being dismissed by Limavady skipper Andrew Riddles to leave the score on 100 for 3. Iqbal and Peter Gillespie added 54, before the latter was trapped lbw by Britton for 19.

Iqbal then assumed control, striking 10 fours and a six on his way to an unbeaten 75 from just 69 balls, as the five wicket win was secured with 26 balls remaining.

Earlier Limavady had made another poor start to be floundering on 33 for 4, before a 5th wicket stand of 94 between Andy Britton (26) and Decker Curry. Curry hit 12 fours as he top scored with 73, but Britton apart, there was very little by way of meaningful support.

Bolstered by the addition of 49 extras, including 30 wides, Limavady totalled 199, with two wickets apiece for Eaglestone, Deans and Barr.

However Limavady were also poor in the field dropping several chances, and the absence of Stuart Thompson, Dean Curry and Zeeshan Malik proved just too much as Strabane collected the points to go joint top of the table at this early juncture.