BRIGADE were crowned North-West Premiership champions after a four-wicket win over Ardmore at Beechgrove. The pressure was off Andy Britton’s side following the abandonment of challengers Donemana’s match at already relegated Eglinton, and they continued their winning streak with an efficient win. In a match reduced to 30 overs because of heavy rain, Ardmore posted 154 for nine thanks primarily to the efforts of skipper Harry Zimmermann, who hit seven fours and three sixes in a top score of 90 from 82 balls. Brigade were always in control of the chase, with Scott Macbeth hitting five fours and two maximums in a rapid 55, while there were 20’s too for Cameron Melly, James Smallwoods and Adam McDaid.

No play was possible in the game at Eglinton which means that Donemana can't catch Brigade in the title race. Eglinton of course were already relegated after their one-wicket loss at Ardmore.

The game at Sandel Lodge was abandoned in the 17th over with Bready on 54 for 2 - Ryan Clarke and David Rankin dismissed by Gareth Burns and Stephen Hutchinson respectively.

Ardmore’s loss means they now face a promotion/relegation play-off against St Johnston for the remaining Premiership place in 2026. That’s because Strabane leapfrogged them with a three-wicket victory over Newbuildings in a 20-overs game. Ross Dougherty 36-ball 67 helped Newbuildings make 159 for eight, with runs too for Charlie Downey (35not out) and Jason Dunn (23). Strabane took advantage of a new-look Newbuildings opening attack to have 50 on the board after just two overs – Subhan Shirzad clearing the ropes four times in a nine-ball 30. Aaron Gillespie continued the attack with a fine 52, but three wickets for Adam Allen and two for Jason Dunn swung the momentum back towards the hosts, With 22 needed from the last two overs, Vadivel Moorthy emerged the Strabane hero, hitting four sixes in an unbeaten 33 to ensure Strabane’s Premiership survival.

Brigade romped to an emphatic 117-run DLS win against Strabane in a game reduced to 39 overs per side. The win means they will be champions for the first time since 2019 if they beat Ardmore at Beechgrove on Sunday. Batting first, Brigade found the conditions tough with Ifty Hussain making a patient 46. Scott Macbeth upped the tempo as he cleared the ropes five times and also hit three fours in a 60-ball 71, taking his side to 174 for 9 - three wickets apiece for Andrew Mullen and Rhys Logue. What happened next saw one of the more amazing passages of play this season as Brigade skipper Andy Britton tore through the Strabane top-order, having figures of 6 for 1 at one stage as the hosts crashed to 11 for 7 - all seven batters failing to score. There was a recovery of sorts with Ranjitha making 25 and TJ Boyd 13, but they were eventually bowled out for 49 - three wickets too for Scott Macbeth.

Eglinton and Ardmore played out a thriller at the Bleachgreen with the home side winning by one wicket off the penultimate ball. The victory means Ardmore go above Strabane in the table, but confirmed relegation for Eglinton for the first time since 2011. Andy Lucas top-scored with 112 (7 fours, 2 sixes) adding 94 for the fifth wicket with Mark Averill (32). At that stage Eglinton looked set to post 250 plus, but fell away badly losing six wickets for 27 to be all out for 213- three wickets for Edrees. Theb chase started badly as Ardmore slipped to 38 for 3, but Junaid Ali hit 62 (7 fours, 1 six) as he added 77 for the fourth wicket with Aneesh Anilkumar. Mark Averill trapped Junaid lbw for his third wicket, but Aneesh made 53 to keep Ardmore in the game. Lucas then captured three wickets, and with the last Ardmore pair in the middle, 23 were still required. Vivek Dwivedi (30*) and Conor Brolly held their nerve to get the runs, a result that could well ensure another top flight season for Ardmore.

There was another last-over game at Bready where the home side prevailed in another thriller. Jason Dunn bulldozed his way to a brilliant hundred, hitting 10 fours and 6 sixes in 106 from 83 balls - dominating a new-look Newbuildings total of 210. They had been rocked by Travis Faulkner's early inroads, as he dismissed Peat Salmon and Ross Dougherty with his second and third balls. There was two wickets for Gavin Roulston, while Jordan McCorkell wiped out the lower order in taking four for 36. Charlie Downey struck two early blows, but Ryan Clarke top-scored with 76 (3 fours, 3 sixes), putting on 85 for the third wicket with Gavin Roulston (43). Adam Allen and Jason Dunn picked up two each as the contest ebbed and flowed, coming down to the last two overs with 13 needed and eight wickets down. Cameron McClay (16*) was the Bready hero, as the teenager got the win with two balls left.

A wet pitch/ground at Donemana means a postponement until next Saturday.