It hasn’t been the best of starts to the season for Strabane, but the Red Caps got back on track with a vengeance on Saturday as they overcame the challenge of Donegal side St Johnston.

Raymond Curry continues to prove his quality for Donemana.

While most of the Premiership sides had little trouble accounting for their lower ranked opponents in the Senior Cup, Bready had to dig deep into their fighting reserves to overcome the challenge of near neighbours Fox Lodge in the Tyrone derby clash.

There were wins for Donemana, Eglinton, Coleraine, Bonds Glen, St Johnston, and Fox Lodge, while Newbuildings and Bready tied.

There were convincing wins in the Women's Premiership for Fox Lodge and Bready, while Strabane collected the points after Coleraine forfeited.

The draws have been made for the quarter-finals of both the North West Senior and Sammy Jeffrey Cups.

It was a day to remember for Kia and Kenya McCartney who helped Coleraine beat fancied Bready in the Women's Senior Cup.

The eight Premiership sides flexed their muscles in the NW Senior Cup as the seedings went to form.

They have the chance to forget their league woes as they take on St Johnston in the cup, a game that will always evoke memories of the 1982 final when Ian Rankin made a record score of 167 in an innings win for the Donegal side – and one that still stands to this day.

While they won the league last season, they fell at the final hurdle in the Senior Cup decider, and begin their quest to go one better with a short trip down the Ballyheather Road to face Killyclooney.

It’s been an excellent start to the year for Fox Lodge Women, who completed the treble last season. They have recorded convincing wins in both the league and cup, and picked up their first silverware of the new campaign with a 33-run win over perennial rivals Bready.

The North West’s most successful side in the Senior Cup are back in the premier event after an eleven-year hiatus. Sion Mills have won the competition no fewer than 29 times, six more than second placed Donemana.

Mollie Devine took five wickets as Fox Lodge beat Eglinton, while Bready accounted for Strabane, and Bonds Glen caused a minor surprise as they defeated Coleraine.

Donemana beat Newbuildings by 65 runs, while Fox Lodge won again as they beat Bready by 33 runs.

Ryan McAuley and Sam MacBeth among the wickets as St Johnston win, Jason Milligan, Brian Allen, Aaron Heywood and Levi Kerr star for Fox Lodge, while Ryan Nolan and Ben Mills lead Glendermott to victory.

Bobby Brolly scored a maiden senior 50 as Ardmore beat Bready, Stephen Hutchinson and Gareth Burns took four wickets apiece as Coleraine thumped Strabane. Brigade outplayed Eglinton, while Donemana withstood a Pete Salmon onslaught to win again.

Strabane Academy are the first side through to the quarter-finals, while Limavady will have the chance to join them after they beat Armagh to set up an all-NW clash against Foyle College.

David O’Sullivan proved to be the batting hero for the Tyrone side, clearing the ropes five times in an unbeaten 58, sealing the win in a match-winning seventh wicket stand alongside skipper Gary McClintock.

Fox Lodge Women began the defence of their Cup with an emphatic 10-wickets win over Strabane. The Red Caps were blown away for just 28, with wickets for all the bowlers including Mollie Devine, who took a hat-trick.

Bready started the season with a thumping 104-run win over Strabane, thanks primarily to opener Gavin Roulston’s century. The 18-year-old had just come back from a close season Down Under at Western Park in Melbourne, with the experience clearly helping him.

Brigade, Fox Lodge and Ballyspallen all won twice, while Craig Doherty was the day's only centurion, albeit in a losing cause.

The NW season got underway with wins in the top flight for Donemana, Ardmore, Bready and Coleraine. There were runs aplenty throughout with the bat on top for the most part, while in the Championship there were victories for Ballyspallen, St Johnston and Killyclooney.

Strabane are delighted to be back at the top tier of North West cricket, and everyone at the club is hoping for a successful and enjoyable 2025 season.

After the highs of their title challenging run of 2023, Killyclooney endured a tough 2024, finishing bottom of the Premiership, meaning they will play this season in the Championship.

It was by their high standards a relatively disappointing 2024 season for Brigade with a fourth placed league finish, although there was silverware as they lifted the Faughan Valley T20 Cup.

After the highs of their Premiership win in 2023, last season was one of struggle and Ardmore only survived relegation thanks to a play-off win over St Johnston.

Things couldn't have gone much better for Strabane in 2024, picking up three trophies as they won The Championship, Sammy Jeffrey and Sperrin Springs cups, as well as reaching the final of the National Cup.

Last season was one of inconsistency for Glendermott, who on their day could beat anyone, but on the flip side were prone to losses from strong positions.

There have been a few changes up the Kildoag Road over the close season, with Bonds Glen still hopeful of mounting a real challenge in the Championship.

There's a familiar feel to the Burndennett squad, albeit with one high profile departure as Mark Pollock has moved down the A5 to Bready.

Donemana captured the Premiership title on a dramatic last day in 2024, and they will once again be among the favourites for league glory this time around.

It was a relatively disappointing campaign for Fox Lodge, whose Championship challenge petered out as neighbours Strabane got the promotion  berth.

Coleraine flirted with the relegation zone last season but have strengthened their batting considerably with the recruitment of South African professional Louren Steenkamp and former Irish international David Cooke.

It was a case of so near yet so far last season as Eglinton just missed out on a first league title since 1972, pipped at the post on NRR by Donemana.

Ballyspallen are looking forward to a promotion challenge this season and have strengthened their squad for the campaign.

St. Johnston heads into the 2025 season after they came agonizingly close last year having finished runners-up in both the league and the Sammy Jeffery Shield.

Newbuildings have been one of the most successful clubs in recent times and picked up the Senior Cup for the first time last year.

Ian Young is once again the man in charge of the Magheramason side, while Ryan Clarke will be his deputy for the 2025 campaign.

Brigade and Warriors batsman Cameron Melly will be wintering in Australia with Edinburgh, who play in the Victoria League in Melbourne.

Kathryn Rough has been appointed by the North West as Interim General Manager.

The North West have released their schedule for the 2025 season that gets underway in just over five weeks time on April 26th.

Ballyspallen are set to sign South African Kasigo Rapulana for the 2025 season.

There has been a bit of movement at Championship side Bonds Glen with one player in, one out, and another who mightn't play much of a role.

Lawrence Moore will be honoured at the Irish Cricket Awards later this week.

Ardmore all-rounder Harry Zimmermann has taken on the captaincy mantle at Ardmore following Rachit Gaur's decision to take a year out from the game.

Eglinton's AGM on Wednesday night saw Ken Craig and John Pierce step down from their respective roles at the club.

Ballyspallen have signed Nonelela Yikha for the 2025 season.

There was sad news earlier this week with the death of Bready player Andy Harper.

Bready have confirmed the signing of South African Josh van Heerden as their overseas professional for the 2025 season.

The NW's most successful Senior Cup side Sion Mills are back in the competition for the first time in a decade and looking forward to the challenge.

The draw has been made for the first round of the 2025 North West Senior Cup with the competition's most successful side Sion Mills making a return to the region's blue riband event.

Glendermott have confirmed the signing of South African all-rounder Rubin Hermann for the 2025 campaign.