There were wins for Waringstown, Lisburn, Muckamore, North Down and Woodvale in the NCU Premiership.

Ruhan Pretorius starred as Woodvale beat Lisburn, there were runs for Nikolai Smith as Instonians overcame North Down, while Waringstown had an easy win against Muckamore.

The draw has been made for the last eight of the Schools Cup.

Neil Rock admits he is leaving his comfort zone this season after joining NCU Premier League champions Instonians in one of the high-profile signings of the winter.

Waringstown were in the silverware in 2023, and after a busy close season, they looked to be even stronger for 2024, and will no doubt be at the business end of the various competitions.

It promises to be an exciting, historic season for Muckamore who are celebrating their 150th anniversary. Skipper Neil Gill is at the helm as the club return to the topflight.

There’s been a bit of activity at the champions, but although they have lost some key players, they look to have filled the gaps with quality players.

CIYMS are always in the trophy mix and it's expected to be the same this campaign.

CJ van der Walt will once again be in the hot seat as he leads Carrickfergus in the top flight of the NCU.

It's the turn of 2022 NCU Premiership champions Lisburn, who have a new captain in Neil Whitworth who has taken over the reins from Callum Atkinson. There are three new faces at Wallace Park including international Mark Adair.

There has been plenty of activity at The Green over the winter, with club captain Peter Davison happy at the squad that North Down have for the year ahead.

Harry Warke has taken the captain's armband and is looking forward to the new season at Ballygomartin road.

Matty McCord is the new captain at Cliftonville Academy and they have signed two wicket-keeper batsmen in Kian Hilton and Tommy Orr.

We begin our look at the NCU Premiership clubs with CSNI who have former Irish international Stuart Thompson donning the skipper's armband.

North Down have confirmed the signing of towering pace bowler Kerwin Mungroo for the upcoming campaign.

It was a chastening day for CIYMS in the latest round of matches in the European Championship with a ten-wicket loss against Hornchurch and a last-ball loss against Pak-I-Care.

The CIYMS attack was on the receiving end of two more pastings as they were beaten by defending champions Dreux of France and Jersey kingpins Old Victorians.

Carson McCullough scored a half century and took two wickets as CIYMS started Championship week with a convincing win against Forfarshire.

Jason van der Merwe starred as CIYMS won their group in the European Cricket league to qualify for Championship week.

CIYMS began their quest for European glory with two wins on the opening day of the tournament in Spain.

Irish U19 international Jordan Neill is believed to be joining CSNI, having left Merrion.

Double cup winners Waringstown look set to lose and gain one bowler ahead of the new season.

Instonians have won the race to sign Irish international Neil Rock, beating off the challenge of at least two other major clubs.

Holders Donemana will start the defence of the Ulster Plate with a home tie against CSNI.

Holders Waringstown begin the defence of their Challenge Cup crown with a home tie against fellow Premiership rivals Cliftonville Academy.

NCU Premier League champions Instonians will begin their defence with a trip across Belfast to Civil Service North when the new season starts on Saturday April 27.

There was treble cause for celebration with Waringstown the toast of the Cricket Ireland Awards.

NCU side Cregagh are on the look out for a senior coach.

Former Irish international James Hall is returning to Waringstown for the new season.

Pakistan international Bilawal Bhatti has been signed by Waringstown for the 2024 campaign.

Murray Commins is set for a return to Instonians for the 2024 season.

North Down have recruited teenage all-rounder Liam Hayman for the upcoming season.

CIYMS have confirmed the signing of South African pace bowler Bamanye Xenxe for the 2024 season.

Downpatrick have confirmed the signing of Indian all-rounder Ravi Patil for the 2024 season.

Ally Shields scored a record century for the Ulster Grasshoppers but it was in vain as they were beaten by four wickets against Claremont in their tour finale.

A powerful unbeaten 70 from Ally Shields secured a second win for the Ulster Grasshoppers on their South African tour as they beat Scorpions by 42 runs.

Northern Knights Head Coach Simon Johnston is currently in Australia working with Sydney Thunder.

Arnie Wright's superb form on the Grasshoppers tour of South Africa continued on Wednesday, but it wasn't enough to prevent the Ulster side from slipping to a four-wicket loss against Durbanville.

The Ulster Grasshoppers have been paying a return visit to Chris Hansi Secondary School in Khayelitsha to witness a remarkable transformation in the facilities.

The Ulster Grasshoppers were beaten by one wicket against a strong Western Province Chairman's XI on the second match of their South African tour, having won their opener on Saturday.

The Ulster Grasshoppers have made a winning start on their South African tour with a 59-run win over Groot Drakenstein.

South African all-rounder Keith Dudgeon is coming back to Northern Irish shores as overseas professional at CSNI for the 2024 season.

Muckamore have further signalled their intent to make a significant mark on the NCU Premiership with the signing of Indian professional Raj Biswa.

Cliftonville Academy have further strengthened their ranks with the signing of Eglinton wicket-keeper batsman Tommy Orr.