Gratitude for even small mercies must be the attitude among cricket followers in that not only were Saturday’s fixtures concluded but they produced some amazing action.

Surely at 8 for 5 – all five without scoring!! – Lisburn could not have envisaged a win over Carrick at Middle Road nor I suggest would Derriaghy have thought of defeat when posting 270 for 9 against fellow strugglers CIYMS at Queensway where remarkably 27 sixes were struck!!

No surprise however at the top of the Premier League where North Down and CSNI enjoyed comfortable wins but total frustration the following day at the Green when the elements prevented the much anticipated clash between the joint leaders.

Both the leading sides can anticipate recording their 11th victory of the campaign on Saturday. CSNI host an out of form Instonians side which lost heavily to North Down in their last outing and are without the injured Andrew White. North Down are at home to Carrick who figured in that remarkable match at Middle Road last weekend.
As both the main contenders are at home and at full strength I expect them to maintain their title challenges.

At the other end of the table things are beginning to look very black for Cliftonville who have a must win encounter with Derriaghy at Queensway. This is the classic 8 pointer particularly for the visitors who have only 2 wins and with time and games running out before the September 28 deadline. A close and tense contest is very much on the cards with home advantage slightly swaying me in my forecast.
CIYMS are also in the relegation zone with 3 wins and they have a tough task on hand when they visit the Lawn to play a full strength Waringstown who will be anxious to improve their League position.

Lisburn travel to Bangor and the Wallace Park side are in excellent form at present and riding high in third spot.

On Sunday both the top two are in action with North Down travelling to Queensway where I would expect their strong batting line up to revel in the conditions and CSNI hosting Lisburn at Stormont. The visitors surprised the champions North Down last month and are well capable of causing an upset but I go for a home win and no change at the top come Sunday evening.

CIYMS and Waringstown face each other for the second time in 24 hours this time at Belmont although both sides will be below full strength and the outcome is difficult to predict. Perhaps the home side will have more to play for and can ease their relegation worries with a victory.