Maghera Secure Thrilling Win for 1st XI While 2nd XI Fall Just Short in High-Scoring Encounter

It was a weekend of dramatic cricket for Maghera’s senior sides, with the 1st XI securing a narrow one-run victory over Bready 2nd XI in a tense finish at home, while the 2nd XI were involved in a high-scoring thriller away to Bonds Glen, eventually falling just four runs short. Both matches showcased the determination and fighting spirit within the club, with several impressive individual performances contributing to two memorable games.

Maghera 1st XI

Maghera 1st XI vs Bready 2nd XI - League 1

Saturday 8/8/26 - The Rainey

The 1st XI secured a thrilling one-run victory over Bready 2nd XI in a closely fought encounter at home, with the match going right down to the final ball.

After winning the toss, captain Scott Dougherty elected to bat first, but Maghera found themselves under early pressure at 12/2. Scott (54) combined with Surya Amaravadi (16) and Ajay Krishnan (19) to rebuild the innings and steady the ship before a middle-order wobble saw Maghera slip from 99/3 to 117/7. A superb counter-attacking innings from Abhimanyu Thayakkattil then shifted the momentum, as he smashed 31 from just 13 balls to give the innings a much-needed boost. With the score at 149/9, Alfie Stewart joined Graham Love (16*) at the crease and the pair added a valuable 28 runs for the final wicket, helping Maghera post a competitive total of 177.

Bready made a strong start in the chase, with Adam Warnock leading the charge with some excellent stroke play. However, Maghera kept themselves in the contest, and after Warnock’s dismissal the game remained finely balanced at 124/4. The visitors continued to push towards the target, reaching 170/8, but Maghera’s bowlers and fielders held their nerve in the closing stages. Anu Sanjeewa stepped up with a crucial caught and bowled dismissal at a pivotal moment, keeping Maghera firmly in the contest.

With Bready needing only a handful of runs from the final overs, Maghera’s death bowling was outstanding. Alfie Stewart delivered a superb spell of 1.5 overs for just two runs, including a series of dot balls under immense pressure, while Surya Amaravadi also kept his composure to restrict the scoring. The game was finally sealed when Ratan Thapliyal produced a direct hit run out from the field to secure a memorable one-run win.

Anu led the bowling attack with three wickets, while Ajay Krishnan and Denton Cant claimed two each, with Anilkumar Sebastian and Surya Amaravadi picking up a wicket apiece.

The victory was built on several important contributions throughout the match, with key moments ultimately deciding the outcome. Abhi's quickfire 31 provided crucial momentum late in the innings, while Graham and Alfie’s partnership added valuable runs at the death. With the ball, Anu’s crucial caught and bowled dismissal, Ajay’s removal of the dangerous Warnock, and Alfie’s excellent composure during the closing overs were all significant moments in securing a narrow but deserved victory.

Maghera 1st XI - 177 def Bready 2nd XI - 176

Written by Scott Dougherty (Club Captain)

Maghera 2nd XI vs Bonds Glen 2nd XI - League 4

Saturday 8/8/26 - Bonds Glen

The 2nd XI were involved in a high-scoring thriller away to Bonds Glen 2nd XI, eventually falling just four runs short in a match that went down to the final overs.

Batting first, Bonds Glen were propelled by an outstanding innings from Richard Thompson, who continued his impressive form this season with a destructive 109 from just 45 balls. Thompson found the boundary consistently, clearing the ropes seven times and shifting the momentum firmly in the home side’s favour.

Maghera’s bowlers faced a difficult challenge on a fast-scoring ground with short boundaries, but continued to battle throughout. Graeme Stevenson made an early impact with two wickets in his opening spell, while Glenn Baird bowled with excellent control to claim an important breakthrough. John Andrews and Muhammad Zeeshan were also called upon during Bonds Glen’s acceleration and produced valuable overs despite the challenging conditions.

The fielding effort was another positive, with Luke and Rory outstanding in the outfield, preventing further runs on a ground where the ball travelled quickly towards the boundary. Rory’s well-judged catch, taken with the rope directly behind him, was a particularly impressive moment.

Chasing a formidable target, Maghera’s reply got off to the perfect start as Muhammad Zeeshan and Benji Cathcart produced a magnificent opening partnership worth 171 runs. The pair combined power and composure, taking the score to 150 inside 18 overs and putting Maghera firmly ahead of the required rate. Muhammad struck a superb 90, while Benji’s innings saw him rotate the strike effectively and punish anything loose. Jamie Reid continued the charge with a blistering 54 from just 22 balls, while Charlie Mainwaring added further momentum with three huge sixes as Maghera looked to maintain control of the chase.

In the closing stages, Graeme Stevenson and Sean Bentley kept the pressure on Bonds Glen with an excellent partnership, finding boundaries and running aggressively to keep the target within reach. Despite Bonds Glen using nine bowlers in an attempt to contain the chase, every Maghera batter contributed to the fight, with the innings eventually finishing on 288/6 — just four runs short of victory.

A fantastic game of cricket that showcased the attacking ability and determination of both sides, with Maghera pushing a huge total right to the final ball.

Bonds Glen 2nd XI - 292/5 def Maghera 2nd XI - 288/6

Written by Roger Talbot (2nds Captain)