Killyclooney set up Brigade final showdown

Killyclooney will face Brigade in next month’s North West Sam Jeffrey Cup final at Glendermott after edging out St Johnston by three wickets on DLS in a tense semi-final.

St Johnston looked in deep trouble after being reduced to 67 for 8, with Cody Mehaffey and Timothy Dougherty doing the damage. Mehaffey claimed an excellent 5 for 41, while Dougherty took 3 for 41 as the visitors’ innings appeared to be unravelling.

However, Nathan Cole produced a superb rescue act. His unbeaten run-a-ball 63, featuring eight fours and two sixes, transformed the contest. He added 80 for the ninth wicket with Ryan McAuley, who made 35, before putting on a further 30 for the last wicket with Scott Devenney. Earlier, Michael Rankin had contributed 39 as St Johnston recovered to 177 all out in 34.1 overs.

Killyclooney’s DLS target was adjusted to 171 in 42 overs, but they too were soon under pressure. Andy Nicholl and Alfie Moan both fell for one, leaving the hosts 6 for 2 and giving St Johnston real hope.

That was when Keenan Vieira once again underlined his importance. The in-form opener struck 64, including 11 fours and two sixes, and shared a crucial third-wicket stand of 94 with Cody Mehaffey, who followed his five-wicket haul with 31.

St Johnston kept battling, with Graeme McCarter taking 3 for 15 and Cole adding 2 for 42, but Giles Moan’s 31 and Barry Scott’s 17 helped Killyclooney reach 171 for 7 in 40.1 overs.Brigade booked their place in the final with a four-wicket win over Burndennett at Beechgrove, although the margin made the contest appear closer than it really was.

Burndennett were bowled out for 106 in 35.5 overs after Brigade’s spinners took control. Opener Marty Mehaffey gave the innings its early substance with 39, striking seven boundaries, while Usman Azhar battled patiently for 24. They were the only two Burndennett batters to reach double figures as wickets fell steadily.

Iftikhar Hussain led the way with 4 for 22, while Gavin Roulston produced a miserly spell of 3 for 8. David Barr added 2 for 10, with JP Millar claiming the other wicket as Brigade’s attack ensured the target remained modest.

Burndennett, though, gave themselves hope with the ball. Former Brigade player Ryan Barr and Azhar struck early to leave the hosts wobbling at 23 for 3, and suddenly the chase looked far from straightforward.

However, Scott Macbeth and Hussain steadied the innings with a decisive fourth-wicket stand of 65. Macbeth top-scored with a composed 50 from 52 balls, hitting six fours and a six, while Hussain followed his bowling heroics with a valuable 30.

There was a late flutter as three wickets fell with the finishing line in sight, two to Mohammed Saghir and one to Derek Curry, but Brigade reached 107 for 6 in 24.5 overs to complete a deserved victory.