Bready stayed firmly in the title race as they overcame a shaky start to record a convincing win at Ballyspallen. It looked bleak for the Magheramason side as they slumped to 11 for 4, but were rescued by a century stand from Mervyn Magee and Ryan Clarke, who both scored half centuries.

“It was good to be given an opportunity to be promoted up the order to fill in for Kyle Magee who was missing on Saturday,” said Clarke. “Myself and Mervyn knew we had to try to rebuild the innings after those early wickets. We were clear in our roles in the partnership to get to a good total, and thankfully it couldn’t have gone much better for us.”

“A lot of the credit for that should go to our captain Davy Scanlon. He and the club have always been proactive at giving me and other young players an opportunity when introduced to the first team. That was clearly evident at Ballyspallen when there was a successful senior debut for 14 year-old Travis Nicholl, who acquitted himself really well.”

Bready travel to Glendermott in the Sperrin Springs Cup tonight, but have a free weekend as the club are hosting the interpro T20 festival.