Stephen and Rishi are real record breakers for Coleraine

Coleraine fielded first against Brigade and before long Brigade were reeling at 11-2 thanks to some quality new ball bowling from Stephen Hutchinson (2-23).

Brigade rebuilt their innings with a solid partnership leaving the Coleraine lads wondering where the next wicket could possibly come from.

The partnership was broken by a moment of inspiration from Stephen Harper who ran out the well set Waterstone with a direct hit from mid off.

Thereafter, Coleraine were forced to chase the ball as A Barr took to the Coleraine attack in an impressive knock of 90 before Stephen McCartney clawed a catch off the bowling of Matthew Hutchinson (4-48).

Brigade amassed an impressive 198 from 40 overs.

Coleraine never looked like chasing this total as all batsmen (bar the in form Harper who held his bat for a dogged 40*) fell for single figures.

Coleraine were all out for 80. Disappointment was transformed into joy as Coleraine recorded a record breaking victory against Limavady on Sunday.

Having won the toss Coleraine opted to bat first and what followed was nothing short of spectacular.

Having lost opener Marcus Poskitt early the score was 12-1.

This was to be the only wicket that Coleraine lost as Stephen Harper and Rishi Chopra embarked on a record breaking partnership.

The pair put on the highest stand ever recorded at Sandel Lodge, putting on a mammoth 298 with Harper and Chopra both recording career best scores of 86* and 192* respectfully. Chopra’s 192* was also the highest ever individual score recorded at Sandel Lodge.

The pair rarely gave the demoralised opposition a chance as they compiled their unforgetable, record breaking stand. Coleraine finished with a momentus total of 310-1.

Limavady were bowled out for 114. Stephen Hutchinson and Matthew Smyth ripped the heart out of the Limavady top order with three wickets a piece.

The slow bowling of David Doey finished off the game by claiming the wickets of A Doey and J Doey to give Coleraine a deserved win.

This victory by 196 runs earned the Seconds two much needed league points.

Speaking from his holiday villa in Italy, team manager Nigel Barr was delighted with his charges reserving particular praise for Risi and Steven.

“I have always had confidence in young Harper and as for Risi, he has been threatening an innings like that for a long time,” Nigel todl the Coleraine Times.

“I’m a firm believer that once we have runs on the board we have the bowling attack to bowl any team out and my team did not let me down,” he added.