RYAN Hunter starred against his old club as Newbuildings beat holders Brigade in the Faughan Valley T20 Cup Final.

The former Ireland U19 international top-scored with an unbeaten 66 (five fours, four sixes) as Newbuildings made 145 for four at Ardmore.

Hunter shared a third wicket stand of 72 with West Indian international Peat Salmon (44) but the pair hadn’t really managed to break the shackles of the Brigade bowlers.

That all changed in the final three overs of the innings, as Hunter switched into top gear, scoring the bulk of the 43 runs that came in those 18 balls.

You sensed the momentum was with Newbuildings and that increased further as Scott Macbeth edged Gregory McFaul behind in the first over of the reply.

Cameron Melly followed soon after, clearly incensed to be adjudged lbw to Hunter, and when Ifty Hussain was brilliantly caught by a diving Leeroy McKeegan, Newbuildings were rampant.

The game was held up for almost ten minutes after Hunter damaged a hamstring, and with a Senior Cup final on the horizon in ten days, it’s clearly a concern for their chances against Donemana.

Adam McDaid and David Barr (27) rebuilt the innings with a stand of 63, before Peat Salmon broke the partnership, quickly followed by castling Mark Hanna in a double-wicket maiden.

McDaid though kept connecting on his way to a top score of 57 (six fours, 1 six) and it wasn’t until he was dismissed by the charismatic Johnny Thompson (three for 19) that the result was all but confirmed.

It was fitting that Ross Hunter took the final wicket to seal a 21-run win – he will be hoping to lift at least two more before the season ends.

As well as the aforementioned Senior Cup decider against Donemana that starts on Friday August 1st, they are locked in a title race with the Tyrone side that looks like going all the way, and they will now represent the NW in the semi-finals of the All-Ireland T20 cup.

The only downside is that semi-final on Sunday August 10th will be most likely at The Mardyke against Cork County, who hold a 49-point lead over County Galway, with the Connacht side playing them and Harlequins next Sunday.

Newbuildings are due to play in the NW Premiership at Eglinton on Saturday 9th before travelling to Cork - whether that games goes ahead as scheduled or postponed remains to be seen.