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As we're all giving 'Section 1' predictions, I thought I'd chip in with my list...

1)Bangor

2)Muckamore

3)Derriaghy

4)Laurelvale

5)Woodvale

6)Saintfield

7)Cliftonville

8)Holywood

9)Dundrum

10) Armagh

Ref: Belfast city council cricket pitches

The council have passed the installation of a synthetic wicket on the upper pitch at Mallusk twice now and we still have no date for said installation. There was also talk of a second grass square being redeveloped , but I don't know how far along this is either.

Gareth,

I was on that delegation "team" and am sitting on the other side of the fence now. I would encourage all Belfast clubs to come together to address the issue.

Lurgan v Ballymena

Ballymena 148 - 9 in 40 overs, Lurgan 149 - 4

Following on from Robert Kennedy's email about Henry Olonga (ex Zimbabwe international cricketer). Having just comeback from Newtonbreda Baptist I have to say his personal testimony was very challenging and well worth hearing.
If anybody would like to hear him he is also speaking at my church tomorrow night in Lisburn at 8pm. ( Emmanuel Baptist on the Glenavy Road Lisburn).
Please give me a shout if interested.
07881496948.

Regards

Carl

with the pre-season friendlies now in full swing I am surprised to see the lack of information of who is going where - usually at this stage we have a series of postings about new pros and who has been poached where!

Just back from Eglinton where Muckamore chased down 204 to win by 6 wickets thanks to an unbeaten 104 from Jason Vde Merwe and a fine 45 from Brian Baguley. Our side included three ther teenagers apart from Jason in Jordan Mairs who kept a fine wicket, Craig Drummond who played some nice shots and Sunsoon Stephenson who took three wickets. Next Sunday we travel to play Birgade.

Runs galore at The Green I hear. How did Lurgan vs Ballymena turn out?

Talking about pitches,Lurgan C.C. look to have done a great job on their home ground at Pollock Pk.
What a super open ground to play cricket on and their batting strip looks as if it's going to be a real 'cracker'!

Good win yesterday too against Ballymena, well done men and good luck in the Premier league this season!

(Did'nt see Mr.Mullin though)!!

NICK AT BT9

Maybe the "EVERGREEN" might just protect/develop the younger "shoots" to "flower" as the summer progresses!!!

Nick

Not sure where your comming from but considering Saintfield have such a young team surely the addition of an experienced player can only strenghen them. I don't think many Section 1 teams would have turned him down.

Re.Ryan

I believe the NCU made official representations to BCC regarding the lack of pitches 2 years ago, and as Andy Kennedy stated,a councillor was approached directly at the Woodvale dinner 18 months ago. End result; nothing!! Yet in recent years other sports seem to be flourishing on BCC grounds!!

Nick
I'm pretty sure having 5 regular 1st XI players at the age of 21 or under qualifies us as being a pretty youthful side, saying that we have a great balance in the side with the experience some of the " older guys " and certainly the signing of billy dale can only add to this.

Here are all the pre season games confirmed so far in Ireland.

Sat April 10th
Strabane v Sion Mills
Bath v Waringstown
Lurgan v Ballymena 2pm start - 40 overs.
North Down v Bready
Brigade 2nd XI v Magherafelt
The Hills v The Hills

Sunday April 11
Eglinton v Muckamore - 1 pm
North Down v Brigade
Lansdowne v Waringstown
Pembroke v Railway Union

Saturday April 17th
Donemana v The Nedd
Eglinton v Ardmore (Shaun Bradley Memorial Match)
Waringstown v Dundrum
Bready v Pembroke
Leinster v Carrickfergus
Brigade 1XI v Brigade 2 XI - Memorial game
Strabane v Killyclooney
The Hills v North Down
Glendermott v Woodvale
Trinity v Clontarf
Victoria (Scotland) v Victoria (NCU) - at Springburn Park Glasgow, 12 o clock start - 50 overs.
Downpatrick II v Coleraine II
Drummond v Coleraine

Sunday April 18th
Civil Service North v Coleraine
Waringstown v Armagh
Rush v Carrickfergus
Brigade v Muckamore
Glendermott, Woodvale, Creevedonnell - T20 tournament.
Merrion v Limavady
Burndennett v Pembroke
North County v North Down
Leinster v Railway Union

Wednesday April 21
Trinity v Leprechauns

Sunday April 25
Leinster v Pembroke

I know it does not affect anyone but Waringstown are playing Bath in Bath today. They play Lansdown in Somerset tomorrow.