Action resumes this weekend after last Saturday’s Challenge Cup round and absolutely no doubt about the match of the day which is at Belmont where joint Premier League leaders CIYMS and Waringstown clash and , with both sides boasting 100% records so far, something has to give. Obviously with 14 games still to play any talk of winning titles is premature but victory here will undoubtedly be a significant physiological boost for either side. Much attention will focus on the man of the moment former Irish international and most capped player Kyle McCallan whose dream start in the new role of opening batsman has reached phenomenal heights with 348 runs in three Premier League innings without being dismissed – a measure of his contribution is that he has scored 49 % of the Villager’s Premier League runs!

I can recall making that type of calculation in 2008 when Gerry Strydom tore up the record books in his first season at Lisburn. McCallan’s opening partner James Hall is also in top form and must be knocking at Team Ireland’s door for the upcoming ODIs against Australia and West Indies “A” next month. The home side will approach the match with plenty of confidence and are certainly a much improved unit this season with the addition of Craig McMillan and Ben McCord but, in what could be a closely fought encounter, I select the visitors to shade it.

After posting a massive 340 in the Challenge Cup last week at Ballymena North Down will travel to Stormont determined to maintain their league aspirations. Opener Neil Russell showed a massive return to form with a century in that game with Andrew Sutherland and also posting a half century. With only 1 loss to date and despite the massive absence of injured skipper Peter Shields and middle order batsman Johnny Terrett for at least the next month  the Comber side will have a major say in the ultimate destination of the title and I think they will be too good for CSNI who are over reliant on their talented captain Nigel Jones and are badly missing the injured Regan West.

Carrick have made an encouraging start to the campaign with opener Andrew Cowden among the runs and with visitors Downpatrick finding life very tough in the top tier Ryan Eagleson’s side can continue their good run with an important victory.

Joint league reigning champions Instonians travel to Lurgan where the home side have yet to get off the mark and on the placid Pollock park track the Old Boys top order of Stevenson, McCann, Shannon, Jacobs and White can be expected to make hay. I cannot envisage Peter Maxwell’s side getting off the mark against such a strong line up and make Eugene Moleon’s side a confident choice.

Finally bottom club Ballymena host Lisburn at Eaton Park and James Kennedy’ side will be very anxious to break their league duck at the fourth time of asking. My opinion is that the Braidmen are in a false position – a view backed up by their last PL outing when they failed by only 4 runs when chasing 273 at the Lawn- and will climb the table as the season progresses. I fancy them to get off the mark this time.

Premier League Fixtures 29 May:

• Ballymena v Lisburn
• Carrickfergus v Downpatrick
• CIYMS v Waringstown
• CSNI v North Down
• Lurgan v Instonians