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Only pullin yer leg stevie!!

Any lower league new signings to report?? as in section 2 or 3??? cmon someones bound to have moved??

Thanks Jason, I forgot how accurate you are!

Wayne Horwood has indeed signed on to play at Muckamore. Wayne started his career at Muckamore and actually made his debut in Senior cricket with us in 1991. He actually cycled from his home in Crumlin to Moylena to practice.It was always his intention to finish his career back at Moylena. He has always been friendly with Brian Dunlop and David Cardwell.
He has been training with us through the winter and has been impressed by the amount of talented young players starting to emerge. He can help those players develop now on the pitch and help new skipper Andy McCulloch achieve his goal of promotion.
Wayne and Brian Dunlop should be a formidable opening partnership with Kamy at three and youg Jason Vde Merwe at four. Simon Thompson has been back in nets after missing most of the last two seasons through injury and his experience will be vital when called upon, while Neil Gill and Richard Keates have been shaping up well with bat and ball in the nets. So I think we will be in the mix but would have thought Bangor and Woodvale would be favourites and Derriaghy and Holywood looked good sides last season.
Due to getting six new clay wickets laid we have to play our first nine games away from home so it's important we get a solid start with a settled team.

hearing rumours about Wayne Horwood returning to his roots - big boost for Muckamore for a drive for promotion.

looks like a stevie max delivery

Rodney,
The batsman actually did well to get to the ball and get bat on it!

Its the bowler I'd be more worried about!!

Does he play for 'Dundrum'?

Judging by the weather and our pitches there's maybe more chance of this shot!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYs0Mxom4cI

Ballymena will do well if they have lazarus. Even when they appear to be dead and buried there is a good chance they will bounce back.

Andy, if I was pricing it up, I would do so as follows.

Instonians - 6/4
Waringstown - 7/4
North Down - 9/4
CIYMS - 12/1
CSNI - 12/1
Lisburn - 25/1
Ballymena - 50/1
Carrick - 50/1
Downpatrick - 100/1
Lurgan - 100/1

Each way 1/4 odds, 1,2 and 3.

Inst look a strong all round side and should make a good fist of retaining their crown and the same comments apply to Waringstown. North Down have a bit to prove after last year's efforts but there is little to choose between the first 3. It reminds me a little bit of the Queen Mother Champion Chase of a couple of years ago when a case could be made for Moscow Flyer, Azertyuiop and Well Chief, and the race bore that out.

CSNI look like they will struggle with the possible/probable absentees of West, Jones, Wilson and co for all/part of the season. CIYMS are a lively each way bet but look to be over-reliant on a couple of guys and who knows how the stroke playing McMillan will adapt if we get another summer like the previous 3.

My club Lisburn will hope to consolidate a top 5 finish but a few of our talented younger players are perhaps still a season or 2 away from really making their mark at senior level, Ballymena with Aphale to bolster their ranks will cause teams problems and win their share of matches, and have a good team spirit to fall back on.

Who knows what rabbits will come out of the Carrick hat this year, but they look to me to be a mid-table, clear of relegation but not-threatening-the-top outfit.

In the absence of further information, I expect Lurgan and Downpatrick to struggle to challenge for honours in their first year back up, but believe both clubs, with fine traditions, will fight hard to re-establish themselves in the top flight.

All in all, it should be an interesting season, and with January now behind us, it is getting closer.

Frank - no point in asking for odds from jeff - I'm still waiting from a previous posting! Maybe Paddy Power has bought him out!

Would also be keen to hear Jeff's odds for the title this year! You and all of the lads at dundrum must be looking forward to your glamour tie at the lawn this year!! McCallan and co. And of course young Lee Nelson fresh from his 60 against South Africa. Speaking of him actually, it got me thinking a bit, he probably played against dundrum in his millpark days as a wee nipper??? Would i be correct? something that the lower league's can be proud of. Andrew white came from ards aswell of course.

Great 'scoop' there by the Ed. to get the first hand views from CIYMS's big signing of New Zealand's Craig McMillan.

Seems like he's looking very much forward to coming here and playing in the N.C.U. and the family are also accompaning him,so could this be the start of something more permenant? Who knows, maybe!

It appears our beautiful scenary and particularly the magnificent golf course's we have here,also played a big part in his choice to come and play in our 'wee' country!

Congratulations CIYMS & the N.C.U. on another positive step forward and putting us 'on the cricket map', that bit further afield again. Well done.

Guys
Full names with postings please and if anyone suspects bogus names then please let me know.
And no more references to suspected signings or anonymous pros.
Peter

Wouldnt be a big outlay these days wayner-4 pints and I'm full!!!

i hope he plays more shots like this!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3MnBumwFqQ