DALZELL DETERMINED TO DO DOUBLE

In the opposite camp is Bready captain Alana Dalzell. The Irish international is well aware of Fox Lodge’s cup pedigree, but Bready are the defending league champions and their youthful side has been improving all the time.

“We haven’t won the cup since 2021, so we are determined to try and rectify that, and it would be a bonus to get the double,” said Dalzell. “The girls are getting a little bit older and more mature with their cricket and that will help us on Friday.”

“The standard and professionalism of the NW league has really improved in the ten years that I have been playing. Now we have official umpires which has been a great step, and the cup is played over the longer 30 overs format. We have got more depth to our team with all making a contribution. That’s the case with many teams now, rather than relying on just one or two players.

“While, from our perspective it’s great that the onus isn’t just on me, but on the flip side it’s become much harder against other teams. I think we saw that when we were beaten at the league in Coleraine a few weeks ago. You see too the progress that a young team like Bonds Glen has made after coming up from the second division. That’s great for the game here. A lot of the girls have been involved with the winter training stuff and that’s really shown this season.

“While the team is still relatively young, the skills are definitely there and if they can keep their heads when the pressure is on, then we have the players to win it. Hopefully they all step up on the day. A lot of our squad have played this last few weeks in the interpros and that will certainly benefit us in pressure situations.

“We haven’t been preparing any differently for Fox Lodge, but a win would mean that bit more given who the opposition are, and I’m sure it’s the same for them.”

Bready will be without the services of Millie Spence who has enjoyed a very successful season at the top of the order. Her strong displays for the North West U17’s in the interprovincial series saw her and Jessica Cooke called up to the Ireland side for the Malvern Festival this week. 

Other than that, they are at full strength for what should be a titanic tussle against their biggest rivals. It has all the makings of a fascinating contest.