UPTOWN TOP RANKIN

Bready continued their recovery on Saturday with an eight-wicket win over Coleraine, after dismissing the Bannsiders for just 108. There were wickets for Gavin Roulston, Travis Faulkner, Josh van Heerden and Conor Olphert in an impressive display by the Magheramson bowling unit.

There were a few nerves initially in the chase as two wickets fell in the first over, but they were soon eased by a century stand from David Rankin and Van Heerden.

Rankin’s unbeaten 68 made it back-to-back half centuries for the 37-year-old, who won the first of his two Ireland caps a decade ago. He has been a mainstay of the Bready top-order for over two decades, and his timely return to form has been a real boost for skipper Ian Young.

“David is a massive player for us as he’s shown in the last few weeks - you could even go as far as saying he has won us both games,” said Young.

“On his day he’s as good as anyone and if you look even back over the last 20 years – he won’t thank me for saying this - he is right up there with the best batters to play in the North West. You only have to look at the records – he has over 20 senior centuries, and there aren’t many still playing that have that sort of numbers in the region.”

“He's a very important player for us not just in terms of his batting and the volume of rusn that he scores. He’s also taken a few stunning catches for us this season and of course is also a more than useful back-up bowler.

“He’s also got the right attitude with the way he can get the best out of the boys around him is also a massive plus for us as we have quite a few younger players in our squad and he’s just a perfect role model in the way he conducts himself on and off the field.”

Bready will be hoping to continue their revival on Saturday in a crucial league game at home to a struggling Eglinton side who sit at the foot of the table.