The quarter finals of the Irish Cup this weekend mean that the PL is reduced to 3 games with Woodvale and Waringstown finding themselves inactive.

Reigning champions North Down will be looking to take advantage of Bangor’s current woes when they entertain their near neighbours at the Green. The visitors certainly do not have their sorrows to seek as they have now to deal with the shock resignation of skipper Mark Hutchinson (right) on top of being bottom of the PL with no points from 7 games played. To make matters worse the home side are running into form with the bat with new overseas player Iain Robertson finding his feet after a slow start. The visitors who are expected to announce their new captain following a meeting on Thursday evening are in a precarious position even at this relatively early stage of the season but it is difficult to see them turning the corner this week at a venue where they have not tasted success for many years.
I must opt for a home win.

CSNI whose League position is a complete surprise to most observers have an opportunity to improve things when they host Carrick at Stormont. With only 2 wins from 7 games last years runners up are in the relegation zone and are clearly missing the massive talents of Regan West and Gary Wilson who are otherwise engaged. Their opponents are inconsistent but are capable of some outstanding days and I think this will be a tight affair and hesitate to make a prediction. CSNI are, in many shrewd critics eyes, a much better side than their lowly League position suggests and although in my opinion they are over reliant on the undoubted batting talent of skipper Nigel Jones I give them a narrow vote.

The remaining fixture features Ballymena, probably the surprise packet in this season’s PL, and Instonians at Eaton Park. The visitors are without Andrew White who plays for Ireland along with West, Wilson etc. at Eglinton against Kenya but with both teams having 4 wins under their belt this looks like being a good contest. The home side’s victories include victims of the calibre of North Down and Waringstown so they cannot be underestimated against any opposition. On paper an away win looks the most likely result but the Old Boys will have to bring their A- game to the Park if they are to maintain their lofty League standing.

There are also two matches on Sunday  with Woodvale playing CIYMS at Ballygomartin Road and Bangor at home to Lisburn.