G FORCE INSPIRES STRABANE TO WINNING START

Strabane are the early pacesetters in the Premiership after an excellent win at Bready in the only top flight game to go ahead.

The win was inspired by former Ireland Wolves batsman Aaron Gillespie, who was the first centurion of the new season, hitting nine sixes in a 90-ball unbeaten 120 as the Red Caps chased down a target of 229.

Gillespie and Rhys Logue (70) shared a century stand to give Strabane 24 points, a win that will do a lot for the confidence of the club, and Gillespie personally.

“It definitely does give us all a great boost,” said the 29-year-old. “With it being opening day after spending the winter indoors on a hard flat surface there’s not much chance to replicate conditions on what you’re going to be playing on in April. Being able to adapt and start strongly is certainly great and hopefully we can build on that going forward.”

It was a batting masterclass from Gillespie, who now has ten senior hundreds, and he rates it as one of the best.

“It would be right up there in terms of it being the opening day of the season setting a platform going forward. Being able to do it in a run chase when there’s that little more extra bit of pressure really make it sweeter.

“I didn’t tweak anything majorly technical wise over the winter, but have been doing a lot of scenario work trying to replicate match situations as best as possible and pretty much keeping it simple trying to hit as many balls as possible whether it’s in the nets or just throw-downs.

It was a new-look Strabane with three debutants, and Aaron was pleased with their contributions.

Manav Aggarwal and Allen Patterson have settled into the group really well and both have great ability. Manav bowled right through his spell taking 2-25. Allen looks to have some strong attributes with the bat, has been progressing well. Our overseas professional Moshin has only been here less than a week but comes with a great reputation and his quality and experience will no doubt be crucial.

Strabane had a narrow escape last year that went to the final game. Does Gillespie feels that experience will keep them in good stead this season, and will their band of supporters inspire them?

“I think it will as now with the majority of the group being involved in it it’s something that we can draw from and use the experience knowing that to use going forward.

“We’ve always had a pretty good following which helps, including a lot of different families involved within the club and the support right down is getting stronger. It also helped being only one of two senior games on, and with the sun shining it was just an invitation for people in the wider NW to come and watch.”

Despite being one of the most talented cricketers in the region, Aaron admits that his focus now is firmly with Strabane rather than the representative scene.

“I think now this time with work commitments it’s going to be hard to commit for availability. To play at that level you need to be fully committed, as it’s a completely different game from club level.

“Personally, I just look to improve on the previous season, but there are no numbers in mind as long we can be competitive.

“Ideally, we’d like to target the Senior Cup, which is the one domestic cup I would like to get my hands. That won’t be easy as I know other teams have recruited well this season, so no games are going to be handed to you, and that competition is going to be fierce.”