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My predictions for the Premier League :
1. North Down
2. Waringstown
3. Inst
4. CSNI
5. CIYMS
6. Lisburn
7. Carrick
8. Ballymena
9. Downpatrick
10. Lurgan
Does anyone think any of our teams from the NCU will fair any better this year in the ISC?
I have been reading the predictions with interest. If you look at the premier league over the last decade or so the only teams to beat north down are those with great team spirit or a focussed winning mentality. Inst did fantastically well last year albeit it was a season of under performance for many clubs, Bangor and ballymena have had great spirit when winning the league and waringstown are excellent when momentum builds as shown last year. Csn pushed nd in a great battle a couple of years ago when et lead the charge. Motto of story is north down will be team to beat, waringstown most likely to beat them with kyle in being as good as any pro and adding that hard edge to their game. Then next? Inst will find it hard but a good may and they will be there or thereabouts. CI will be the team everyone wants to beat but they will tank some teams and have a big say in where the title goes. Challenge for CI will be how does the team grow and develop around the pros and what does the bowling look like. If they get it right they could win the league but I am not sure if the prize money on offer will yield a good return on investment unless marty dalzell and turk decide to have their pints at belmont this year!!
Same story in division 1. Bangor had a blip last year and if they get spirit back there is a lot of talent and some good bowlers. they are the team to beat. Muckamore are working hard and want to deliver and you know the lads in woodvale will fight for their lives for a win and I do not see them outside the top 3. Other teams are well capable of going on a run and a good summer could help some clubs. Division one will be tight.
certainly will be interesting
Any chance people would wait until we have played a match before writing Cliftonville off. I'm at the football and have two websites, a blog, facebook and twitter to maintain and can barely keep up with the workload to start fighting with you all. P.s. If the Turk joins Muckamore, you know what you get, a longer tail hahahaha only joking wee man. p.p.s. Sounds like easy money for you Jeff.
I was thinking about our team for this season. Maybe something like this?
1. James Hall
2. ????????? Ian Morrison maybe. Simon Harrison,Gary Kidd and Andrew Cousins all had a go at it last year.
3.Lee Nelson
4.Kyle McCallan
5.Kosala Kulasekara (pro)
6.Johnny Bushe (wk) (C)
7.Keith Morrison
8.Gary Kidd
9.Simon Harrison
10.Jamie Matthews (played a lot last year, can cover Bushey if he is unavailable and can bat up the order if needed to.
11.Simon Stokes
Still a while to go until season starts but it will come very quickly. Kidd will be away for Ireland and there is a lot of players coming through the ranks. So the team will probably be different as the season goes on. Really looking forward to it. My prediction is CIYMS to win with us and Instonians following closely behind them.
Right then, predictions for premier league. How about waringstown to win it as the best all-round team? I would say instonians for 2nd and north down 3rd. Next is ciyms 4th with the 'guns' in place. Outside the top 4 will be lisburn 5th, civil service 6th, carrick 7th.
That will leave lurgan, ballymena and downpatrick to sort the bottom two out. I'll go with ballymena and downpatrick bottom of the pile.
Re pros
Is Lazars returning to Ballymena in 2010? Haven't heard anything of him in a while.
I heard Davy Jacobs (former Carrick pro), is to play at Inst this season...
glad to see Jeff Maguire back on the site - have missed the racing tips - have to rely on Radio Four at 7:30 after milking the hens, etc. Is he offering any odds on the NCU premiership 2010?
Any news on a North Down Pro? Heard they got rid of Robertson.
Young all-rounder from Sydney club cricket called Daniel Harding.
Mr Gloom, I'd be careful if I was you boy! Saw Mr Vic Jons yesterday bowling away at the single stump.
He does'nt look to happy since someone called 'Frank' and those Maxwell guys wound him up the other day!!
You would'nt want to go on his list as well now would you?
Thats one bowler I'm glad I won't ever have to face at the 'crease'!!!!!!
Fair enough, I appreciate the valid points made by both Andy & the 'Dr Doom' guy, quoting local rugby as an example. But hey, I don't make up the 'rules' so we might as well accept them and get on with it.
Its CIYMS's 'doe',they can spend it on whatever or whoever,just wish if they have any left over they would throw some down to my club, Victoria, our 'Pro'is starting to 'creak' a bit at the hinges!!
Anyway, as for the 'hot summer'this year, surely after three previous wet ones and the recent very cold snap; I reckon we'll get a good dry warm one this time round!!
Thats the only 'prediction' I'll make here,for the 2010 season!
dundrum is indeed a lovely setting however just because its a scenic ground doesn't mean the wicket is any good !no offence to anyone from dundrum as it appears to be under water at various stages of the year.
A big coup for the boys at belmont - another 6/7 paid players and they may be able to carry the 2/3 clubmen who turn out on a Saturday !Everyone knows that the wickets at belmont will be poor cos they have no money left to spend on them - any way why improve them for players who will be gone when the money stops!
ref ed - Last season showed Bangor were out of their depth in the top level - they indeed may be in the running to regain their premier league status but it will be interesting to see if their young team can step up to the plate in what could be a competitive section !
ref: Mark irwin
bit harsh indeed, dundrum is A lovely ground, great day out down there and last time there, a guy was even playing a Xylaphone on the boundary...!
I look forward to returning this year.
Reckon Holywood and Laurelvale are section 3 candidates ok, woodvale up.
Bangor in disaray i've heard.
Re Mr Gloom
The wickets at Belmont? - Derek Heasley didnt seem to mind them over the last 2 seasons!
Mark irwin - surely dundrums ground is one of the best in the NCU - too say its a sandy wicket is not fair? As for my info on Holywood players, heard it through the grape vine! X-ray required for maxwell on a broken foot. I hear that both carty and shannon are too old now. I think its always been that sharkey was to return to oz. So than will be hard for them.
Great news that ciyms have got mcmillan. A huge plus for ncu cricket and for the spectators at belmont. You have to ask yourself - when will the money run out?
