Limavady clinch third title
Thursday, 21 August 2008
Limavady skipper David Cooke with the Clubturf trophy.
LIMAVADY continued their superb winning run to secure the Ulster Clubturf Cup as they defeated Strabane by just four runs in a tense nail biting final played at Coleraine on Sunday.
With the torrential rain washing out the league weekend the only game in the North West brought both clubs together at Mountsandel Road where Limavady setting a total of 170 runs for the loss of eight wickets in the allocated 40 over. The Northern Bank Champions had Decker Curry 28, and skipper David Cooke 22 make a solid start of 45 and at 62 for 2 it was looking good for the Roesiders but Strabane striking back they found themselves in trouble at 105 for 5. Mark Gillespie taking 3 for 18 off his eight over spell was the thorn in the Roesiders middle order but Aga Sabir with a top score of 30 helped achieve a total of 170.
In return the Tyrone club lost opener Terence Patton Jnr with just 15 runs on the board but Jon Beukes top scoring with 71 and Ranil Karim 18 settled down to thwart the Limavady attack. Karim opened the door with his departure with the total on 42 and the emergence of Peter Gillespie took the total past the half way marker but overs were disappearing. The wicket of South Africian professional Jon Beukes by Sabir helped turn the match but Mark Gillespie with 26 was a threat that Limavady had to remove and this came via Chris Moore. Going to the wire Limavady had the will power and the determination to maintain a four run margin as two wickets fell at the close. Limavady skipper David Cooke was presented with the Ulster Clubturf Cup by Keith Underwood after a superb afternoons cricket.
The League programme decimated by the weather resumes at the weekend with back to back games Saturday and Sunday.
