There was a first with a Super Over required to separate CSNI and Woodvale, while Derriaghy caused the shock of the day beating North Down. There were also five wicket hauls for Ben Kane, Shane Dadswell, Pat Botha and Neil Gill.

THE King was in Armagh yesterday and although he didn’t make it to The Mall, cricket royalty will be playing at the picturesque venue tomorrow when the Section One club host Waringstown in the second round of the  Challenge Cup.

Injuries to James McCollum and Lee Nelson plus Cricket Ireland's instruction for Graham Hume to sit out the game will make it a test of Waringstown's depth.

Waringstown joined CIYMS at the top of the Premier League table after a 34 runs victory at The Lawn over previously unbeaten North Down.

North Down made it two wins out of two in the Premier League with a 29 runs victory over Cliftonville Academy yesterday.

CIYMS look to be the team to beat in this year’s Premier League after easing past defending champions Lisburn in Saturday’s early season showdown at Wallace Park.

Lisburn and CIYMS will head into the first big clash of the NCU season tomorrow with a victory under their belts after getting off the mark last night in emphatic style.

CIVIL Service North joined CIYMS at the top of the Premier League table when they won the second completed match of the season last night, beating Derriaghy by six wickets.

Lisburn will make a third attempt to begin their defence of the Premier League on Thursday against Instonians at Shaw’s Bridge after Saturday’s latest postponement at Cliftonville Academy.

CIYMS flexed their muscles on the Northern Cricket Union’s second attempt to get the season under way as Jason van Merwe failed by one run to score the first century.

The NCU season got off with a wimper rather than a bang as two of the five Premier League games, at Cliftonville Academy and Carrickfergus, fell before the starting line, and two more, at Stormont and Shaw’s Bridge, didn’t last even one innings.

It’s been quite a journey both on and off the cricket field for Cornelius Johannes van der Walt, but it reaches the finishing line this year after being appointed captain of Carrickfergus — and getting a UK passport.

It is a sign of the times that when the NCU Premier League season gets under way, five of the best players will be in Sri Lanka preparing for Ireland’s third Test match this month.

It was a busy close season on and off the field at Muckamore who have strengthened their squad considerably for the forthcoming campaign.

It's a step up to Section One for Laurelvale, but a challenge the club is relishing as the campaign starts.

It was a disappointing 2022 for Cregagh who were relegated from the top flight but are quietly confident of an immediate return to the top echelons of NCU cricket.

The new season brings fresh hopes for Saintfield who will be hoping for a successful campaign.

It promises to be an exciting season for Ballymena, who will be hoping to add some silverware to the Eaton Park cabinet as the season begins.

There is great optimism around Donacloney Mill as the new season dawns.

It promises to be an exciting season at The Mall with Armagh keen to get back into the Premier League.

It wasn't the best of seasons for North Down in 2022, but they have a new captain and overseas professional as they look to recapture past glories.

It was a tough baptism for Cliftonville Academy in the top flight in 2022, but they will be hopeful of better fortunes this campaign.

It wasn't a great 2022 season for Woodvale but the Ballygomartin side are more optimistic that the current campaign will be much brighter.

Derriaghy are back in the big time in 2023, and they are determined to stay there this time.

Greg Thompson is back as captain for 2023, hoping to bring more silverware to the Lawn.

There is a new captain at the helm for Instonians with Nikolai Smith taking over the reins from Andrew White.

It's all change at CIYMS with plenty of transfer activity over the close season, with John Matchett taking over the captaincy reins from Nigel Jones.

There's no Jacques Snyman for Carrickfergus in 2023 but they have signed a quality replacement in Michael Rippon and also have Jack Egan in their ranks for the campaign.

Stuart Thompson is at the helm once again for CSNI, who have lost a few key players but have a talented crop of youngsters coming through the ranks.

The champions Lisburn haven't rested on their laurels over the close season, strengthening their squad with a number of quality additions, no more so than with the acquisition of Nigel Jones.

NCU Section One side Donacloney Mill have signed South African wicketkeeper/batsman Peet Pienaar for the upcoming season.

It may be March, but Instonians wicket-keeper batsman Ollie Metcalfe has been in action this week as Durham UCCE took on Durham at the Riverside Stadium.

It all went wrong for CIYMS on Finals day at the European T10 Championships in La Manga yesterday as they lost both games to crash out before the climax.

CIYMS had two chances to claim a place in the Final but lost, first to Dreux and then to Hornchurch, having beaten both earlier in the week.

CIYMS will get two bites of the cherry to win a place in the Euro T10 Final, as they emerge unbeaten at the end of the Round-Robin matches.

With two wins today CIYMS maintained their 100% record and their position at the top of the Championship Week table.

Unbeaten CIYMS top the Table at the end of Day 2 of the European Cricket League T10 in Malaga.

It was a case of just what the Doc ordered as CIYMS won their opening game of the ECL T10 Champions Week against French champions Dreux.

CIYMS have made it to Finals week at the European T10 Championships.

CIYMS clinched a place in the Championship next week after their super Saturday continued with the demolition of Swedish side Ariana KIF in the group final.

Jason van Der Merwe hit form on Finals Day powering CIYMS to wins over Oerias and Istanbul to carry his side to the Group Final.

Yet again CIYMS had fluctuating fortunes on the second day of the European Cricket League group stages in Spain.

There were mixed fortunes for CIYMS on the opening day of the European Cricket League in Spain.

Carrickfergus has announced the signing of Otago, New Zealand, and former Netherlands all-rounder Michael Rippon, as their overseas professional player/coach for the 2023 season.

CIYMS are Spanish bound this week as they play in the group stages of the European Cricket League.

Campbell College will begin their defence of the Schools Cup against either Royal School Armagh or Belfast High in the second round of this year’s competition.

Schools' Cup holders Campbell College are among the big names receiving a bye to the second round of this year's competition.

Gareth Thompson, Cade Carmichael and Amy Caufield were the winners from the NCU at the Cricket Ireland awards.

Instonians all-rounder James Hunter is leaving Shaws Bridge,switching to Premier League Champions Lisburn for the new campaign.

Coleraine all-rounder Varun Chopra has left Coleraine to join Cliftonville Academy.

Ciiftonville Academy have signed experienced South African all-rounder Aubrey Swanepoel for the upcoming campaign.

Trevor Britton is leaving CIYMS to join Muckamore. The 40 year-old enjoyed a very successful spell at CIYMS, where he enjoyed a trophy laden eight seasons.

There was sad news over the weekend with the death reported of former Indian cricketer Abi Satham.

Ulster Plate holders Waringstown II will start their defence of the title with a home fixture against Donemana II.

Thanks to Erasmus funding, the NCU Under 14 boys side as well as a Dragons Under 18 girls side is off to Spain this weekend for a ten-day pre-season training camp.

Holders CIYMS will begin their defence of the Challenge Cup with an away day trip to either Dundrum or Saintfield.

There are eight NCU players included in the Dragons Under 18 squad that is heading to Spain for a week's training camp.

CIYMS have signed New Zealander Edward Nuttall after original choice Keith Dudgeon was ruled out of a return to Belmont.

Lisburn will open their defence of the Premier League title at Shaw’s Bridge with a game against Instonians on April 22.

CSNI have signed Irish passport holding New Zealander Ryan Harrison for the 2023 season.

Muckamore are another club who have been busy strengthening over the close season and have announced that experienced coach Paddy Steytler and South Africa teenager Ciaran Roundtree will be heading to Moylena this summer.

It's been a busy close season at Belmont with plenty of ins and outs. The latest addition is Theo van Woerkom.

North Down have signed Andile Mokgakane for the 2023 season.

Muckamore have signed Vinoth Srinivasan from BISC.

Greg Thompson has once again taken the captaincy at Waringstown, having previously captained the Lawn side to great success previously.

Waringstown have signed former Carrickfergus professional Pat Botha as their overseas player for next season.

Waringstown have signed South African Pat Botha for the 2023 campaign.

There was sad news on Tuesday when former NCU Treasurer Dawn Johnston died after a lengthy illness.