Strong Performances Across the Club Despite Mixed Weekend Results

Maghera 3rd XI

It was another busy weekend for Maghera Cricket Club, with all three senior sides in action across the leagues. While results were mixed, there were plenty of encouraging performances throughout the club, with strong batting displays, disciplined bowling

spells and valuable contributions from players across all teams.

The 1st XI posted another competitive total against Brigade 2nd XI, continuing their impressive run of high-scoring performances this season. The 2nd XI produced a composed and confident chase at The Bleachgreen to secure victory over Ardmore 3rd XI, while the 3rd XI showed great determination and teamwork in a closely fought contest against Sion Mills 2nd XI.

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

Saturday 25/7/26 - The Rainey

Maghera 1st XI won the toss and elected to bat first, posting another impressive total of 234. It marked the sixth time this season that the side has passed the 200-run mark, underlining the consistency of the batting unit throughout the campaign.

Anu Sanjeewa continued his excellent form with a superb half-century, his fifth of the season, providing Maghera with another strong start at the top of the order. The innings was built on valuable contributions throughout the middle order, with Trevor Dougherty adding 28, Scott Dougherty contributing 34 and Surya Amaravadi playing an excellent knock of 44.

The lower order once again made the most of the closing overs, with Ajay Krishnan and Caleb Caskey running well between the wickets and finishing unbeaten on 12 apiece to help push the total to a competitive 234.

In reply, Brigade made a solid start, putting together an opening partnership of 88 before Maghera fought back with a cluster of wickets. Despite applying pressure during the middle stages of the innings, Brigade rebuilt and eventually chased down the target.

Although the result didn't go Maghera's way, another strong batting display reinforced the side's ability to post competitive totals. The team will look to build on those positives as attention turns to the remaining fixtures.

Maghera 1st XI - 234/7 def by Brigade 2nd XI - 235/5

Written by Scott Dougherty (Club Captain)

Maghera 2nd XI vs Ardmore 3rd XI - League 4

Sunday 26/7/26 - The Bleachgreen

Maghera 2nd XI delivered a composed and disciplined performance at The Bleachgreen, successfully chasing down Ardmore’s total of 166 to secure a five-wicket victory.

The bowling attack set the tone with a strong all-round effort. Ajay Krishnan made an immediate impact with two maiden overs and two important wickets, while Glenn Baird removed the opening batsman early to put pressure on the Ardmore batting order. John Andrews then struck twice in the middle overs to halt any momentum, with Abhimanyu Thayakkattil bowling with excellent control to claim a wicket while keeping the scoring rate in check.

Mohammad Zeeshan responded superbly when called upon, producing an excellent spell and taking two wickets, while Kenny Irvine added an important dismissal to help restrict Ardmore during the closing stages. It was a strong collective bowling performance that left Maghera with a target they felt confident chasing.

The reply began with real intent as Mohammad Zeeshan played with fluency and confidence, scoring 44 from 43 balls to put Maghera ahead of the required rate early on. Benji Cathcart then produced a superb match-winning innings, remaining composed throughout the chase and striking 70 with ten boundaries and excellent shot selection.

Muralidhar Gudagudu added a steady eight, while Ajay Krishnan contributed a valuable 16 to keep the momentum moving. Graham Love then guided Maghera over the line with maturity, finishing unbeaten on seven, alongside Abhimanyu Thayakkattil who remained not out on two.

A professional performance from start to finish, with important contributions throughout the team securing another valuable win for the 2nd XI.

Ardmore 3rd XI - 116 def by Maghera 2nd XI - 167/5

Written by Roger Talbot (2nds Captain)

Maghera 3rd XI vs Sion Mills 2nd XI - League 6

Sunday 26/7/26 - Sion Mills

After losing the toss and being asked to bat first, Maghera 3rd XI made a positive start, with Swethankh Shanmughan and Michael Cassidy showing good composure and excellent running between the wickets. However, despite several players getting starts throughout the innings, Maghera were unable to convert those starts into the bigger scores needed to build a commanding total.

Wickets fell at regular intervals, but the team showed great determination to bat out the full 30 overs, finishing on 150 — a total that gave the bowlers something to defend.

With the ball, Maghera got the perfect start, removing Sion Mills’ third-highest run scorer in the league for just two runs, with Rory making the breakthrough. The bowling unit continued to apply pressure, with wickets coming from Simon Alleyne, Balaji Baskaran and Henry.

The Sion Mills’ opener Jordie Stewart played an excellent innings, showing great patience and composure, building his score through solid defence and finding the gaps effectively. Despite Maghera’s efforts and a strong team performance in the field, Sion Mills were able to put together the partnerships needed to chase down the target.

The team showed excellent commitment throughout the match, with everyone contributing and fighting hard until the final ball.

A special mention goes to Selvapriyan Natarajan and Paul Gregg on earning their first caps for Maghera CC, with Paul marking his debut with an excellent catch.

Maghera 3rd XI - 150 def by Sion Mills 2nd XI - 154/4

Written by Simon Alleyne (3rds Captain)