Ulster Bank Premier League – Preview

Following last weekend’s dreadful weather conditions which prevented a single ball being bowled in any of the 9 scheduled fixtures in the League over 2 days I can only claim that my prediction that the League table would be unaltered was correct but only for all the wrong reasons!!

Early indications are that the situation may be something similar this weekend but hopefully the weather will improve sufficiently to allow some action by the end of the week.

This is a big weekend for CSNI who not only dispute the destination of the Challenge Cup with Waringstown on Friday at The Meadow in Downpatrick but welcome League leaders and reigning champions North Down to Stormont 24 hours later for a crucial meeting which will undoubtedly have a huge bearing on the League title.  Both sides are at full strength with the home side also hoping to include in their ranks Irish international Gary Wilson who looks likely to be released from his Surrey 2nd XI duties for the weekend.  CSNI already hold a decision over Saturdays opponents this season albeit in the semi final of the Challenge Cup and can boast an impressive array of batting talent in the shape of their Kiwi trio Skipper Nigel Jones, recent Irish”A” cap Regan West and club overseas professional Ewen Thompson along with Wilson.

However North Down have a phenomenal 100% record in the League and will be looking to their Ireland international strike bowler Peter Connell, right, and a balanced bowling attack to counter CSNI’s batting strength. The champions also have batsmen in form with particularly openers Ryan Haire and Joe Montgomery showing wonderfully consistent form. These sides appear to be very well matched and a closely fought contest is in prospect.

The other issue in the Premier League is that of relegation with 3 clubs - CIYMS, Derriaghy and Cliftonville locked together in the drop zone. Cliftonville travel to Wallace Park to face Lisburn who are eyeing third place mainly due to the batting prowess of professional Gerry Styrdom. The visitors will struggle to improve their prospects of survival if the South African continues his golden run.

CI host Carrick and of the three threatened clubs they must have the best chance of 4 much needed points against opponents who have performed inconsistently of late.  Bottom club Derriaghy are at home to Bangor and will need another major contribution from their professional Kaushik Aphale if they are to defeat the Seasiders who, under Mark Hutchinson’s leadership are a young side showing plenty of promise for the future.

Cup finalists Waringstown have surprisingly decided to exercise their option to postpone their away fixture with Instonians on account of their participation in the Challenge Cup final on Friday and this game will be added to an ever expanding list of rearranged games.

Two matches are down for decision on Sunday with CIYMS entertaining North Down at Belmont in an important match for both sides who are at the extreme ends of the table. Obviously two wins for the Comber side over the weekend would virtually secure the title for another year and this should prove a big incentive to complete a League double over the home side who have struggled in their first season in the top division.

In Sunday’s other game Cliftonville travel to Middle Road to meet Carrick and will be striving desperately to chalk up a badly needed win to enable them to climb up the table.