Last weekend’s very welcome dry spell provided a much needed opportunity to make inroads on the PL backlog and thankfully 9 matches were completed.

In line with most predictions the pacesetters North Down and CSNI pulled further clear at the top while Cliftonville’s win over CIYMS  at Belmont leaves these two sides on 12 points along with Derriaghy.
The NCU Executive and in particular the League Secretary Jack Quinn are to be commended for adopting a positive strategy in arranging all 13 outstanding matches  (details are posted elsewhere on the site) before the September 28 cut off to the season. All cricket followers will be hoping that these brave decisions will be rewarded with a deserved and successful outcome.

The run in is further enhanced in anticipation by the fact that eleven of the fixtures are “ Match 2” and consequently failure to complete will result in a verdict of “ No Result”. Undoubtedly a daunting prospect both for clubs and officials alike!!

This weekend the action begins on Friday at the Lawn where CIYMS are the visitors and in serious need of points to avoid a quick return to Section 2. However the home side who are in joint 3rd spot will be keen to finish the season in good style to placate their loyal followers who have endured the club’s worst season for many years and I take them to win.

The following day CIYMS are in action again when they host reigning champions North Down who will arrive at Belmont at full strength and seeking their 14th win of the campaign. I expect them to be victorious. Their close rivals CSNI travel to Bangor without their overseas professional Ewen Thompson who ended a three year stint at Stormont last weekend. The Seasiders inflicted CSNI’s only defeat in the League in early May and are quite capable of a repeat performance but with the prospect of a League and Cup double very much alive for the visitors I fancy them to prevail. In the other game Instonians entertain Lisburn at Shaw’s Bridge and the visitors, even without their prolific batsman Gerry Strydom, can keep up their challenge for third place.

On Sunday all eyes will be on Stormont for the long awaited first League meeting of the season of the title aspirants CSNI and North Down. With both sides at full strength and the destination of the trophy at stake a monumental struggle is eagerly anticipated. The home side have tasted victory against these opponents admittedly in the Challenge Cup which serves only to whet the appetite for this encounter. Elsewhere CIYMS complete a hectic weekend when they entertain Bangor at Belmont. With Derriaghy also meeting Cliftonville at Queensway at the same time results in these games will have a major impact on the make up of the PL next year.

The concluding weekend of the season contains three days of matches of significant importance starting on Friday 26 Sept. when CIYMS visit the Lawn for the second time in 7 days (Belmont is unavailable) and I must assume that this final match of the campaign for the visitors will be crucial as they bid to avoid an immediate return to Section 2.

The following day – Saturday 27 Sept – throws up another huge confrontation when North Down and CSNI do battle this time at the Green. With Team Ireland commitments in Southern Africa likely to prevent certainly Peter Connell and Gary Wilson and possible Ryan Haire and Regan West from playing both teams will be below full strength but such absences should not affect the result which I find far too close to call. Meanwhile Waringstown can improve their prospects for third place even without their Ireland players at home to Carrick and two sides sharing 3rd spot with them meet at Uprichard Park where Lisburn are the visitors.

On the concluding day of the season – Sunday 28 Sept. – both the leaders play their final games with home advantage. North Down entertain Carrick  while CSNI host Instonians. At this distance it is impossible to say what permutations will still be alive on the closing day. Nevertheless I expect two comfortable home wins unless celebrations have an effect on these matches!!

Due to upcoming holidays I have previewed all the remaining games in this article and can only sign off with the sincere hope that the weather will be favourable.