Brigade booked their place in the Faughan Valley Cup final with a convincing four-wicket victory over Fox Lodge at Ballymagorry, inspired by a memorable hat-trick from Trent McKeegan.

Fox Lodge struggled to build momentum after being asked to bat, eventually bowled out for 100 in 19.1 overs. Charlie Simpson top-scored with 30, while Ali Doherty added 27, but McKeegan ripped through the middle order to finish with outstanding figures of 3-28, his hat-trick putting Brigade firmly in control. Gavin Roulston claimed 2-16, with excellent support from the rest of the attack.

Brigade's reply was equally assured despite a spirited spell from Gayan Maneeshan, who returned impressive figures of 3-5. Levi Kerr also struck twice, but Scott Macbeth's composed 39 anchored the chase before Brigade reached 106-6 in 17.1 overs to complete a four-wicket success.

The victory sends Brigade into yet another Faughan Valley Cup final, with McKeegan's match-winning hat-trick proving the defining moment in a clinical all-round performance.

Holders Newbuildings kept their hopes of retaining the trophy alive with a thrilling four-wicket victory over Coleraine in a high-scoring semi-final at the Foyleview Arena.

Coleraine piled up an imposing 194 for 4 from their 20 overs, led by another outstanding innings from Louren Steenkamp. 

The Namibian international blasted 73 from just 44 balls, peppering the boundary with nine fours and four sixes, while sharing an 84-run second-wicket stand with Patrick Carson, who made a fluent 55 from 43 deliveries with nine fours. 

David Cooke then provided the late fireworks, finishing unbeaten on 37 from only 19 balls, including three fours and three sixes. Ross Hunter was the pick of the Newbuildings attack with 2 for 40.

The chase got off to a shaky start as Stephen Hutchinson removed Jason Dunn and Ross Dougherty before also dismissing Mark Hanna after his breezy 20 from 12 balls, containing four boundaries.

However, Newbuildings' powerful middle order turned the contest on its head. Peat Salmon struck 37 from 25 balls with five fours and two sixes before Ryan Hunter took control with a superb 51 from 36 deliveries, hitting six fours and two sixes.

Jared Wilson maintained the momentum with a blistering 46 from just 26 balls, including four fours and three maximums, leaving Gareth McKeegan to complete the job in style. His unbeaten 22 came from only eight deliveries and featured three towering sixes as Newbuildings raced to 195 for 6 with five balls to spare.

The dramatic victory sends the defending champions into another Faughan Valley Cup final after an outstanding exhibition of attacking T20 batting from both sides.

That final will be at the Foyleview Arena on Sunday July 5th.