Section One

24 & 25 June
Waringstown v Lurgan
A local derby, midweek! Scene set for a tight affair. As with many midweek matches, conditions over the two nights may dictate. I take the home side to win a top of the table clash.

WARINGSTOWN WIN

28 June
Ballymena v Lisburn
Ballymena can rightly be judged favourites here as their vastly superior league form should see them through. Interesting to see how Ricky Finlay’s boys will turn around the season. 

BALLYMENA WIN

Bangor v Waringstown
Bangor are having a so-so start to the season. Their two home wins were at WARD Park, local knowledge being key, methinks. At Uprichard, Waringstown will win in the more familiar surroundings.

WARINGSTOWN WIN

CIYMS v Derriaghy
Two scrapping teams. CI have to win games like this to stay in the league, which is the aim of this season for them. Almost identical records, so I predict that CI will have to score heavily against the ‘Aghy or else the Queensway men will have too much for them.  

DERRIAGHY WIN.

Instonians v North Down
Rock bottom Inst meet inconsistent North down at Shaws Bridge. Despite Firsts moving to Osbourne to avoid snakes, the bottom square should again see the home team struggle. North Down should have too much bowling to deal with Inst line up.  

NORTH DOWN WIN 

Lurgan v Woodvale
Lurgan riding high in league and a home match should be enough for the Pollock Park men as they are unbeaten at HQ all summer. Both in bowling and batting the home side have the classier options.  

LURGAN WIN

Section Two

Carrickfergus v Larne
With virtually identical records, nothing to choose in this coastal bun fight. Both sides will chirp, and both sides will play hard, but in the end my decision comes down for the home side, purely by home advantage. Carrick have the better bowling options and that’ll be the edge. 

CARRICK WIN

Cliftonville v CSNI
A home game doesn’t have the familiarity about it for Cliftonville this year and so no advantage there. CSNI, strengthened by a stronger 1st XI may just have too much. Batting frailty could see home team put to sword. CSNI are a side that have racked up some runs this season.   

CSNI WIN

Cooke Collegians v Armagh
A welcome break from a run of defeats for CCCC. Armagh definitely stronger at home and with a recent cup defeat away too confidence may not be high. CCCC need to wake up their early season form after slump but inconsistency has dogged them. Close one to call, but home advantage may prevail.  

CCCC WIN

Downpatrick v Laurelvale
Downpatrick are the hardest team to call in the league, and scoring runs consistently is their downfall. At home they have beaten a strong Holywood team convincingly yet been thumped by Cliftonville! However, Laurelvale’s cup form and league form are two different things and Darryl Henry’s side may not fancy their chances on their travels.     

DOWNPATRICK WIN

Muckamore v Holywood
Van Der Merwe, Marshall and Kennedy all have scored heavily this year for the home side, yet Holywood are a team brimming with confidence and with a strong bowling line up. Ball will be the stronger after all the recent rain however, and this should mean success for the visitors.  

HOLYWOOD WIN

Section Three

24 & 25 June
Millpark v Donacloney
Local derby should see the home side emerge triumphant. The Cloney’s batting may be under powered.  

MILLPARK WIN

28 June
Donacloney v Dunmurry
Their records are identical; both sides struggle to score runs, but a wafer thin decision for the home team.  

DONACLONEY WIN

Donaghadee v Dungannon
Donaghadee’s last effort saw their 10 men only muster 41. Dungannon are rock bottom without a win! I forsee a cracker! However, a long trip for Gannon may be too much.

DONAGHADEE WIN

Millpark v Saintfield
Home side will be blown away by Saintfield. They have bowled two sides out for 41 and 55 and racked up nearly 300 in another game. All round too much firepower.

SAINTFIELD WIN

Victoria v Academy
Victoria’s only win came against 8 men of Dungannon, but home advantage may count. Both first XI are in action, so a true contest may see Academy come away from Lurgan with joy on their faces.  

ACADEMY WIN.