Carson century keeps Coleraine in Premiership as Glendermott dream dies

Patrick Carson produced a superb unbeaten century as Coleraine secured their Premiership status for 2027 with a 43-run victory over Glendermott at Burndennett.

There was to be no fairytale finish to Glendermott’s centenary season, although for a sizeable portion of an absorbing contest they looked capable of chasing down Coleraine’s formidable 286 for five.

Ultimately, however, their lack of batting depth without an overseas professional was exposed once the impressive second-wicket partnership between Ben Mills and Craig Averill had been broken.

Carson was the central figure in Coleraine’s innings, blasting an unbeaten 117 from just 74 balls, including seven fours and 11 sixes.

Earlier, Scott Campbell gave the Bannsiders a positive start with 40 before skipper David Cooke anchored the innings with a patient 49 from 109 deliveries.

Coleraine were 106 for three in the 26th over, but Carson transformed the complexion of the innings. He dominated the latter stages, adding 63 with Cooke before accelerating dramatically in the closing overs. Jacob Logan-Wilson chipped in with a rapid 17 from 10 balls, while Matthew Smyth finished unbeaten on 15 as Coleraine surged to 286 for five.

Glendermott’s reply could hardly have started worse when Jason Lynch was bowled by Stephen Hutchinson without scoring in the opening over. What followed, though, was a spectacular recovery.

Mills launched a ferocious assault, smashing 128 from only 60 balls, with seven fours and an extraordinary 14 sixes. Averill provided the ideal support with 46 as the pair added 163 for the second wicket.

At 163 for one in the 22nd over, Glendermott had put themselves firmly in contention and Coleraine were under serious pressure. Scott Campbell finally provided the breakthrough when Averill was caught by Carson, and two overs later he claimed the crucial wicket of Mills, caught by Matthew Hutchinson with the score on 178. That changed everything.

Glendermott initially stayed in touch as Lewis Pearson and Alan Johnson took the score beyond 200, but Logan-Wilson ripped through the middle and lower order. He removed Johnson, Harry Boyd, Jake Montgomery and Alan Lynch to finish with excellent figures of four for 33.

From 206 for four, Glendermott slipped rapidly, eventually being dismissed for 243. Gareth Burns claimed the final wicket to complete a vital Coleraine victory.

For Glendermott, the disappointment was considerable after such a promising chase and in a season when their centenary celebrations offered the prospect of a memorable conclusion.

For Coleraine, though, survival was all that mattered — and Carson’s magnificent century ensured their place among the Premiership elite for another year.