It's advantage Brigade after a first day of fluctuating fortunes in their League One Cup final clash with Letterkenny.

The Donegal side were on top as Vignesh Ethiraj hit 9 boundaries in an even time 62 to reach 110 for 1 in the 21st over - runs too for Ramees Machingal (25) and skipper Gopi Siva (20).

The wheels though came off as they lost six wickets for 23 runs to slip to 133 for 7. They recovered slightly, but a total of 171 was way short of where they wanted to be.

The wickets were shared with two apiece for Cameron Nawn, Charlie Gault, Ewan Wilson and skipper Andrew Baggley - who also had a direct hit run-out.

The Beechgrove side's reply was soon in trouble with four wickets for Wasiq Riaz (4-25) as well as two for Vamsi Dasari (2-44) reducing them to 101 for 7 in the 30th over and staring down the barrel at a considerable deficit.

The innings though was transformed by an 8th wicket stand of 98 in 10 overs between Andrew Baggley and all-rounder Nick Gray.

Skipper Baggley hit 11 fours and one six in his 82 from 87 balls, while Gray hit an unbeaten 36 (2 fours, 1 six). The pair pumelled a tiring Letterkenny attack as 63 runs were plundered from the final five overs.

A lead of 30 is significant but not out of reach for Letterkenny, who will know they will have to play better on Saturday - especially with the second innings being reduced because of the time lost in the first innings.

No second innings chase is ever easy and Letterkenny will no doubt push Brigade all the way to the end. 

Play on Saturday gets underway once again at 12pm.

LEAGUE ONE FINAL DAY ONE 

Letterkenny 171 (37 overs; Vignesh Ethiraj 62, Ramees Machingal 25, Gopi Siva 20; Cameron Nawn 2-28, Andrew Baggley 2-28, Charlie Gault 2-39, Ewan Wilson 2-40)

Brigade 201/8 (40 overs; Andrew Baggley 82, Nick Gray 36*; Wasiq Riaz 4-25, Vansi Dasari 2-44)

Brigade lead by 30 runs after the first innings