Fox Lodge blew the North West Premiership title race wide open after completing a league double over leaders Newbuildings with a dramatic 17-run DLS victory at Ballymagorry.

The result leaves the championship firmly in the balance, with Fox Lodge now able to move to the top of the table if they win away to Donemana on Sunday.

Their latest success was built on a remarkable recovery after Gregory McFaul ripped through the home top order. Charlie Simpson and Gayan Maneeshan were both dismissed without scoring, while Jason Milligan, Travis Nicholl, Jonny Robinson, Alastair Doherty and Ivan McNeill also departed cheaply.

Fox Lodge were in desperate trouble at 69 for seven, but Jamie McIntyre led a superb fightback with a patient 62 from 93 deliveries. His innings contained five fours and three sixes and gave the hosts the platform they needed.

Aaron Heywood helped steady the innings before Levi Kerr provided an important burst of 22 from only 10 balls, striking two fours and two sixes. Adam Walker then launched a late assault, finishing unbeaten on 49 from 34 deliveries, with four boundaries and four sixes, as Fox Lodge recovered to post 209 from 43 overs.

McFaul claimed five for 41, with Josh Wilson and Jared Wilson taking two wickets apiece.

Newbuildings then made the worst possible start when Mark Hanna was bowled first ball by Heywood. Jason Dunn and Peat Salmon also fell cheaply, but Ryan Hunter and Ross Dougherty rebuilt the innings.

Dougherty struck seven fours in a fluent 37 from 30 balls before becoming Heywood’s third victim, while Hunter made 51 from 72 deliveries. Jared Wilson, McFaul and Josh Wilson fell in quick succession as Newbuildings slipped to 126 for eight.

Johnny Thompson kept the chase alive with a determined 53 from 79 balls, including seven fours and a six, while Ross Hunter battled to an unbeaten 20.

However, Thompson fell with the score on 184 before the weather brought the match to a premature conclusion with Newbuildings on 186 for nine after 45.5 overs.

Heywood finished with three for 35, while Jason Milligan took two for 27 as Fox Lodge secured a crucial victory under the DLS method.