BRIGADE go into the penultimate weekend of the North-West season in pole position to capture their first Premiership title since 2019.

It’s quite the turnaround for the Beechgrove side who were languishing in mid-table earlier in the season having lost three of their first five matches. They have since embarked on their current run winning seven-in-a-row to edge ahead of Donemana going into the home straight.

Much of their transformation in fortunes can be attributed to the blistering form of middle-order batsman Cameron Melly who is averaging close to 50 this season.

“I think our attitude towards games is something that has improved massively,” said the 22-year-old, a mainstay of the North-West Warriors side over the past three years.

“Everyone has clarity as to what their job is in the side, and it’s a great changing room to be a part of at the minute.”

Brigade’s two remaining matches are at home to Ardmore and away at Strabane – two sides at the wrong end of the table, but he is taking nothing for granted.

“Obviously with two games left against teams who are in a relegation battle it will not be easy. We know how sides can find that next gear when the big games come around so we are just focused on the way we want to play, and hopefully that sees us lifting the trophy next week.”

Melly who has just completed his Master’s Degree in Sports Broadcast and Media at Cardiff University is enjoying his cricket at Brigade, where his positive attitude has taken the team to the top.

“On a personal level, it’s been nice to add to the team’s success. I have tried to eliminate that fear factor of getting out, and really take the game to the bowlers. I feel as if that is when I am playing my best cricket.”

In the other games, Donemana travel to Eglinton where anything but a convincing win for the villagers will see them relegated to the Championship.

Strabane will be without John Mooney for their trip to Newbuildings, with the former Ireland international accepting a short-term contract as fielding coach with Afghanistan, while Coleraine host Bready - the Tyrone side still not totally clear of the relegation play-off place.