SIMPSON READY FOR FAMILIAR FOES

Charlie Simpson knows better than most what awaits Fox Lodge this weekend — and he knows exactly what it would mean to come through it.

The Fox Lodge opener and wicketkeeper is preparing for a huge Senior Cup semi-final against Newbuildings at Ballymagorry, a fixture carrying extra spice given Simpson’s links with the visitors.

Born and raised in Newbuildings, he admits there has been no shortage of good-natured talk since the draw paired Fox Lodge with his old club.

“As someone who has been born and raised in Newbuildings, there has been plenty of banter with people about the village since the draw took place,” said Simpson. “It’s just all banter with friends and even family members. But I know how it works. Come Saturday at 11am the serious stuff starts, and the only outcome I want is Foxies booking their place in the Senior Cup final.”

The Fox Lodge club went into the game in a confident mood, with their seconds having also booked their place in the semi-finals of the Ulster Plate with a tense win over CIYMS at the weekend. Simpson played the leading hand in that chase, carrying his bat and sealing victory with a boundary.

“Our Ulster Plate quarter-final was a very tight affair against a good CIYMS team,” he said. “Adam Walker bowled a brilliant spell after CI got off to a great start. He pulled us back into the game by taking wickets throughout their middle order.

“We felt at the interval we had enough batting to chase down the total and I was happy with how the game panned out. It was a nice feeling to hit that boundary at the end and carry my bat to see the team over the line.”

That result has added another layer of belief to a Fox Lodge season that has been built on collective contributions. Simpson says the side’s strong league start has been vital in a campaign where little separates many of the clubs.

“As a group, everyone is pitching in with bat and ball, which has meant we have got good results in the league so far,” he said. “It has been fantastic to get off to a good start as it takes some pressure off, with the table starting to bunch up and anyone capable of beating anyone on their day.”

He points to the home league defeat by Strabane as the one major frustration, while even the Irish Cup loss away to Muckamore carried positives after Fox Lodge posted just under 300, only to be undone by a brilliant Neil Brand innings.

A major factor in their progress has been professional Gayan Maneeshan, whose influence has extended well beyond his weight of runs.

“Gayan has been brilliant for us with the amount of runs he has scored,” said Simpson. “Not only that, he has helped me massively with my wicketkeeping over the past few years and I owe him a lot for developing me as a wicketkeeper.”

Now attention turns to Newbuildings, a side many expect to progress and potentially renew rivalry with Donemana in the final. Simpson, though, insists Fox Lodge are far from outsiders in their own minds.

“Saturday’s semi-final is going to be as difficult as they come and we will have to take our chances at critical times,” he said. “Newbuildings are a great side and have so much batting depth, but we will back ourselves at our home patch to put it up to them.

“We beat Newbuildings at Foyleview in the only league game they have lost this year, so we can take confidence from that. We have players in form with the bat and, in my opinion, a very strong bowling attack.”

For Simpson, now halfway through his third season at Fox Lodge, the prize is clear.

“It would be nice to get to a Senior Cup final,” he added. “The only thing that matters on Saturday is the result. If we do manage to pull off an upset, I don’t mind who the hero is — as long as he is wearing yellow, I’ll be happy enough.”