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In relation to Mark and Jim's points i think whilst North Down have recruited quite well this post season i have to agree with Jim and say the 3 that left would make any team in the premier league easily never mind North Downs.

I believe from what ive read that Dalzell has had a tough start to his NW career but Russell seems to have started quite well with 35 and 40 to his name,not setting the world alight but for the opening two games of the season more than likely on green tops it certainly is not a failure by any means. Looks like the rest of the Glendermott line up are struggling without Raza.

Now that would be entertaining,watching Russell and Hasan Raza bat together.

Long season though and this one has literally just begun so lets assess mid-season on the good bad and the indifferent.

I think CSN and Carrick will push Waringstown and North Down this season. Should make for a more competitive summer of cricket in the NCU, here's hoping!

Paul

Not sure about that Jim but it's not my problem. You may be in the know but Montgomery scored a century and the pace attack looks fairly balanced. Dalzell and Russell aren't in much form up the M2 and Davy Kennedy isn't playing at the same standard any more.
It's early days but looking form the outside North Down have answered the doubters. It remains to be seen if they can win the big matches.

Mark,

Not sure i would agree with you that North Down look stronger than last season.

When you take out Russell,Kennedy and Dalzell you have a pretty big hole to fill, but because North Down had such a strong squad in place already and with Sutherland and Parsons coming in alongside a couple of young guys being blooded they will still be there or there abouts come the end of the season. They are still the team to beat for sure but the 3 guys that left this season past would still secure a place on the North Down team for sure.

First blood to North Down. At least East Belfast knows what they have to do to beat the champions because the Comber men look stronger than last year!
Good side and they set the standard.

Brendan, Start with the NCU and North-West averages and see who's been in form. Count out anyone outside section one and anyone over 40. In the absence of anything else have a trial match if club cricket doesn't tell him enough. At least look outside Dublin.
Mind you, it's a lot for one man to do but whose fault it that?

Mark the silly season started last Saturday!
The Cliftonville situation has been known for months.

Bit hard on Phil there Michael. He's lost more than half a team and the new kids need time to rise to this level.
Apart from Peter Connell and Ryan Haire and a few 'vested interests' from the Dublin lobby what players are being missed?

If the NCU is allowing Cliftonville to play all their matches away this season what happens when another club says they cannot accept the fixture? Does this mean Cliftonville have to concede the points? And what happens if some clubs accommodate Cliftonville and some do not? This is a recipe for chaos and the NCU should give clear guidance right now before we reach the silly season when anything goes!

Have to say big Phil has to get it right in the next few weeks or he's on his bike! Rampaul has to be up to the task as he's the coach's pick and the young guns in the side have to be brought into the action or there's no point in having them there. Sheltering players? Give us a break, if you aren't good enough why are you there?
Ireland under Simmons has done nothing and while the fault may not be totally at his door, the end result will be his head when things continue to go wrong. Also who picks Ireland these days and if it is coach Simmons what does he really know about cricket in Ireland? He has no knowledge of club cricket has never seen interprovincial cricket and must rely on heresay, youth cricket, and 'information.' Is this a professional set-up?

taito, didnt you no that ROMAN ABRAMOVICH has holiday home in DUNDRUM & HE said that if his JEWISH manager wont sign players then he would get RODNEY to do it now that LIVERPOOL can concentrate on summer (champions)league.lol dont think their be many games sat.eway jardin de vienne. bangor friday,might pay for your supper.

jeff, that auction you ran must have made some money with all these imports ha ha. If the forecast is right this weekend could be a wash out. Is it still the same in the cup ? that if it starts then your back monday, tuesday, wednesday .....nights until you get it finished?

taito, if you no RODNEY way we do you would no rodney probably EAT THE BEANS not spill them(remember he told me tin beans had 2 do him for 2days at UNI)now working for KAINOS its MARKS&SPENSOR.when we get them registared you will here 1 is INDIAN the other ENGLISH& LASTLY 1 ZIMBABEAN,&even if only gives the CLUB more of allround squad it will help.heading up too hopefully see if the BRAND NEW COVERS made by MAG/CONN are finished.im still trying too c if our WEST INDIAN OJ BENNET has any friends coming over as want too try &win that nice side bet me you have. ps maybe wasnt CIYMS trying sign everyone&hope all the OVERSEAS SIGNINGS enjoy playing at THE MEADOW IN DUNDRUM!

rodney, yeah spill the beans , who have you signed now?? We don't play saintfield on bank holiday monday, we play ballymena. So playing them twice in three days, lets hope DK has a bad weekend.

Marky

I havent been on lately because I've been so busy trying to get things ready for the kick off on Saturday.

Believe me, the banter will still be as high as ever although with Downpatrick getting a pro, a lot of people have backed down in their predictions for the derbies / league spots.

Downpatrick play Saintfield on bank holiday monday which will be great match for the neutral and im sure a tightly contested affair.

With regards Dundrum, our professional will be here for our first league match away to Saintfield on Saturday 10th of May so will be interesting to see how he adapts to our conditions.

Any last minute transfer news? We have signed a couple of useful squad players!

I see some wag on the other channel suggested that the North West have the best league in Ireland.

At least they appear to have the best sense of humour!