Looking for flying start

With plenty of pre-season match practice under their belts the villagers will be out to set the pace in the Premier Section.

First up is Carrickfergus at The Lawn on Saturday and the following week they take on North Down at Comber.

The villagers are the co-holders of the league title and among the favourites to be in the shake-up this season.

“We never really envisaged getting a share of the title last year,” said captain Jonathan Bushe. “But I think we are stronger this year while other teams have lost a few players and changed their pros. We have had a really good pre-season which we have not had in previous years when he lost a few early games.

“If we can get off to a good start we should be there or thereabouts come September.”

Waringstown are one of the teams to have changed their professional with Victor Mpitsang joining the ranks.

“He played for South Africa when he was 19 and since then he has opened the bowling for his state,” said Jonathan.

The new pro is due to arrive today (Thursday) but that was in doubt earlier in the week because of the problems with flights.

Another new face at The Lawn is John Nation who is from Liverpool and is here with his Northern Ireland girlfriend.

“He just arrived at practice and said he had played cricket in England. We are waiting for NCU clearance,” explained Jonathan.

Gary Kidd is still missing because of his Irish involvement while Stuart Kidd has moved to Millpark and Ben McKnight to Lurgan.

One huge boost for the village side is that Kyke McCallan will be available more now that he has retired from international cricket.

“He will be getting more batting with us than he did with Ireland and already in pre-season he had hit a 100 and a 50,” said Jonathan.

Kyle is likely to open the batting - which he did when playing for Cliftonville - alongside James Hall and another expected to bat well up the order is Keith Allen.

“Keith missed most of last year with an injury. He is at university in Edinburgh and will not be back until the end of May,” said Jonathan.

The skipper himself, along with Lee Nelson, backed up by Simon Harrison and Keith Morrison, should provide the backbone of the batting line-up.

And several young players who are the fringe of the team should also get their opportunities this season.

Josh Hall, brother of James, is only 15 but has already shown up well in pre-season games.

Lurgan are also back in the top flight this season but they do not begin their campaign until Saturday week when they take on Carrickfergus at Pollock Park and then meet CIYMS on May 3.

It means of course that their return sees the local derby fixture back on the cricketing calender - not only in the league but also in the Twenty20 competition.

“I think everybody missed the games,” said Jonathan. “I was disappointed when they were relegated and so I’m glad to see them back. The fixtures are always enjoyable.”