There was sadness in the local cricket community with the news of the death of Dixon Rose MBE.

There were contrasting victories for Instonians and CSNI over Cliftonville Academy and Lisburn in the T20 Cup on Thursday night.

Armagh chased a club record target of 263 to beat Muckamore in a thrilling NCU Section One contest at The Mall.

Derriaghy remain top of NCU Section One despite a narrow two wicket loss against Ballymena. Wins too for Dundrum, Lurgan, Templepatrick and Muckamore.

Lisburn's unbeaten run in the Premier League came to a shattering halt at The Lawn as defending champions Waringstown romped to an emphatic 141-run victory.

Mark and Ross Adair both scored centuries as CIYMS thumped Instonians. There were also wins for Waringstown, Woodvale, CSNI and North Down.

It’s a three-way tie at the top of the Premier League with North Down and CIYMS predictably in the mix — but completing the trio is the only team with a 100 per cent record, surprise package Lisburn.

CIYMS made it a three-way tie at the top of the Premier League and ended North Down’s winning start with a six wickets victory at The Green.

Jeremy Lawlor and Jacques Snyman both scored half centuries as Carrickfergus chased 143 to beat defending champions Warngstown in their rearranged match at The Lawn.

Stian Swanepol took six wickets as Dundrum beat Lurgan, while there were also first round Challenge Cup wins for Ballymena, Bangor and Muckamore.

Ross Adair smashed 7 sixes to help CIYMS beat table toppers North Down. Wins too for Waringstown, Woodvale and Instonians.

A half century from Faiz Fazal propelled Lisburn to an emphatic ten wicket (DLS) win over Cliftonville Academy, as they joined North Down at the top of the Premier League.

It was supposed to be a super Saturday start for Cregagh’s first ever home match in the Premier League but rain dashed their hopes of marking the big day in style.

North Down go clear at the top of the table with a four-wicket win over CSNI, while CIYMS beat Cregagh in low scoring contest.

A fine all-round display by Ben Rose saw Instonians win a last-ball thriller against Woodvale in their rearranged T20 Premier League match at Ballygomartin Road.

News from NCU Section One where there were wins for Armagh, Ballymena, Dundrum, Derriaghy and Templepatrick.

Paul Stirling scored his second century in two innings for North Down yesterday as the Comber side laid down their credentials for the new Premier League season.

Aditya Adey starred as Woodvale beat Carrickfergus by 22 runs in a high scoring contest at Middle Road.

Paul Stirling scored his second century of the season to take North Down to the top of the table after an eight-wicket win away at Instonians.

CIYMS bounced back from their opening day defeat with an impressive five wickets win against defending champions Waringstown at Belmont.

Former Ireland captain William Porterfield was a surprise inclusion in the CSNI ranks for their home clash with Lisburn, but he couldn't prevent the Wallace Park side clinching a six-wicket win.

NCU players have two matches over the weekend, with CIYMS, including new Knights captain Mark Adair, against Waringstown the stand-out game on Holiday Monday.

Instonians will be without Cian Robertson for the immediate future after he dislocated his shoulder when playing for Northern Knights in Monday’s inter-provincial friendly against North West Warriors.

Saturday's summary and news of the NW Warriors squad for warm-up versus the Northern Knights.

Wins in NCU Section One for Muckamore, Derriaghy, Dundrum and Donacloney Mill.

Paul Stirling scored an unbeaten century as North Down beat Cliftonville Academy, while Faiz Fazal and Luke Georgeson also made hundreds in wins for Lisburn and CSNI. Jamie Gibson took six wickets on debut for Waringstown as they beat Woodvale.

Cregagh were given an early indication of what they can expect from Premier League life after they were beaten by seven wickets against Carrickfergus at Middle Road.

Cliftonville Academy have signed Senuran Muthusamy as their overseas professional on a short-term deal as cover for Dominic Hendricks whose arrival has been delayed.

James Martin is skipper at Dundrum who have continued to improve and develop over the years.

Muckamore look to have assembled a strong squad as they attempt to return to the top flight of NCU cricket.

After the cup winning drama of 2021, Ballymena go into the new campaign full of optimism for another successful season.

Armagh should have plenty to look forward to in the 2022 season with a full return to 50 over league cricket and a hope to build on a decent campaign the year before where they came fourth in the section one table.

The Belmont club have been predominant in the silverware stakes over the past decade and there's no reason to suspect it will be any different in 2022.

There is no shortage of quality at Ballygomartin Road as Woodvale look forward to another season of Premier League cricket.

Adam Kelso will captain Cliftonville Academy who are back in the top flight of NCU cricket after clinching the Section One title in 2021.

The Stormont side have quality in abundance but fell short in 2021 when it came to capturing silverware in an incredibly competitive top flight.

It's an exciting time for Cregagh who are back in the Premier League for 2022. The Belfast club have gone from strength to strength in recent times and are embracing this new challenge.

It's been a turbulent few seasons at Instonians as the Shaws Bridge club have invested in youth as the way forward.

Lisburn have Faiz Fazal back as their overseas professional, while Callum Atkinson will have the captaincy reins for the season ahead.

Carrickfergus enjoyed trophy success in 2021 and are keen to add more cups to the cabinet in 2022.

It was a case of so near, but yet so far for North Down in 2021. Can they capture some silverware this campaign?

There is a new professional at The Lawn with New Zealander Jamie Gibson arriving, while Ross Allen has joined from the North West.

Armagh have confirmed the return of Alan Whitcroft to the club after two seasons at Coleraine.

Cregagh have just completed a database archive which will preserve the statistical history of the famous Belfast club.

The Super Series women’s interprovincials return to a three-team format this year and for the first time there will be a largely Northern Ireland squad.

It's all change in the Northern Cricket Union this year with not only a return to a 10-team Premier League but also a split after each side has played each other once.

Champions Waringstown will start the defence of their Premier League title with a home clash against Woodvale on April 23rd.

There was double cause for celebration for North Down and Lisburn at the Irish Cricket Awards on Friday night.

Holders Eglinton have been handed a home draw against CSNI in the first round of the Ulster Plate.

Carrickfergus have confirmed that all-rounder Craig Averill will be joining them for the 2022 season.

Reigning NCU Premier League cricket champions Waringstown have confirmed the signing of Ross Allen from North West club Brigade.

The draw has been made for the 2022 Schools Cup with holders RBAI facing Friends' School Lisburn or Bangor Grammar School in the second round.

Instonians have signed Irish passport holder Daniel Rose for the 2022 season.

Mark Adair has been named captain of Northern Knights this year in succession to Harry Tector who will join his club team-mates at Leinster Lightning.

Holders Laurelvale will begin their Junior Cup defence with a home tie against Drumaness Superkings.

Cliftonville Academy may have been promoted to the NCU Premier League but they will still be massive underdogs when they play their first match in the Challenge Cup this year.

Woodvale have strengthened their squad ahead of the new campaign with the signing of New Zealander Ronan Restieaux.

CIYMS will begin their defence of the NCU men's Challenge Cup away to the newly promoted Premiership side Cliftonville Academy.

Former New Zealand international Ian Butler is moving to CIYMS, where he has accepted a role as the Director of Cricket.