Fox Lodge’s rebuilding project continues to show encouraging signs despite a narrow defeat as Eglinton claimed a five-wicket victory at Ballymagorry to make it two wins in two days for the villagers.

The home side posted a competitive total thanks largely to captain Mollie Devine, who produced an outstanding innings of 85 from 71 balls, striking 13 fours and two sixes. Devine shared an opening stand of 42 with Jessica McClean before adding a further 48 for the second wicket alongside Emma Allen (13). 

Eglinton’s chase was finely poised at 97 for 5 despite useful contributions from Cara Lamberton (33), Alice McLaughlin (16) and Catherine Kee (14). The visitors then found their match-winning partnership as Rea Moore’s unbeaten 23 and Bella Kyte combined in an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 46 to guide Eglinton to 143 for 5 in 16.4 overs.

However, Fox Lodge were hindered by indiscipline with the ball, conceding a costly 44 extras, including 33 wides and 11 no-balls.

While defeated, Fox Lodge deserve credit for their impressive youth development work following the close-season player exodus, with a new generation of talent already emerging.

Coleraine maintained their grip on second place with a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over St Johnston after an impressive all-round display.

The hosts were restricted to 78 for 7 from their 20 overs, with Shannon Porter top-scoring on 26, including three boundaries. Megan Colhoun finished unbeaten on 11, while Leah Roulston added 10. Coleraine’s bowlers shared the workload effectively, with Anna McGurk returning excellent figures of 2 for 7. Kia McCartney claimed 2 for 19, while Hannah Skinner and Kenya McCartney chipped in with a wicket apiece.

Any hopes of defending the modest total quickly disappeared as Coleraine’s openers dominated the chase. Kia McCartney led the charge with a superb unbeaten 55 from just 29 balls, striking nine fours in a sparkling innings. Together with Amelia Guy, who finished 16 not out, she added an unbroken 79 in only 44 deliveries as Coleraine raced to victory in just 7.2 overs.

Defending champions Bready stayed firmly on course for another successful campaign with a convincing nine-wicket win over Bonds Glen.

A disciplined bowling performance laid the foundations as Bonds Glen were dismissed for just 69 in 14.2 overs. Corinne Young was outstanding, taking two wickets without conceding a run, while Tiara Mitchell (2-12), Alix Dalzell (2-13) and Sophie Hamilton (2-14) all played key roles in restricting the batting side. Jessica Cooke and Rihanna Young were the only batters to reach double figures, both making 11.

The chase proved straightforward for the Magheramason side. Ella Wasson led the way with 32 from 31 balls, including three fours and a six, sharing a 60-run opening stand with skipper Lucy McGranaghan, who finished unbeaten on 16. Millie Spence's unbeaten six sealed victory in 9.4 overs as Bready comfortably overcame the absence of Ireland international Alana Dalzell, on T20 World Cup duty in England.