Section 2 Preview
What will the new look section 2 hold in store for us in 2009? Often you will come across two types of teams in section 3 - or section 3 as it is now known, those with aspirations to move up, or the team happy to remain in the section, never pushing to win the league, but safe from relegation.
However, with the introduction of the 2 up 2 down promotion and relegation issue, the dangers of slipping into the bottom section has awoken this league and created games with meaning, for no man or team wants to play in section 4 - or 3 as its now known!!
So who are the runners and riders for Section TWO in 2009;
Academy The Junior Cup specialists you could forgive the players from Academy from automatically pencilling in the Junior Cup Final into their fixture list. Probably one of the strongest all round teams in section 3, strong experienced batting (Greenlees, Kelso, Menaul) and a good all round bowling attack, no doubt they will be in the hunt for promotion come September.
Armagh One of the oldest clubs in the NCU are celebrating their 150th year, what better way to celebrate by gaining promotion back to section 2. As with previous years, the team relegated from section 2 is always in with a shout of gaining promotion back to section 2, and this year will be the same with Armagh.
BISC Promoted from section 4 in 2008 BISC held their own last year with their main man and skipper Thakur leading from the front with bat and ball. Will they experience the difficult second album syndrome, with their bowling attack they have the ability to bowl out any side in section 3 cheaply. Could be flirting with relegation this year!
Cregagh Cregagh might have surprised a few teams last year with impressive wins away to Larne, Dunmurry and home to Templepatrick. Javed remains a constant threat with the bat they will rely on McCormick, Hassard and Walker to take the wickets. Never know what you are going to get with Cregagh, my thoughts, midtable.
Donacloney Finishing just outside the relegation zone last year with 5 wins, one of the scalps being Cooke Collegians who went on to win the league. They will look to the ever reliable Marshall to take wickets along with the evergreen Hanna, could find themselves in a relegation dogfight.
Drumaness The unbeaten Champions of section 4 return to Section 3 (or 2) at the first time of asking. The Trio of Gelston, Mills and McCoubrey are still going strong, and I fancy them to stay in section 2 come September.
Larne The enigma of the section, a good solid all round team should finish near the top of the table but not strong enough to push for promotion. Their batting is strong but its their bowling that let them down last year.
Portadown Secured 2nd place in section 4 securing promotion for this progressive mid Ulster club. Scored runs freely in section 4 last year will hope that they can do the same in section 2 this year. Might find the going hard in section 2 survival will be viewed as a huge success.
Saintfield No doubt still smarting following their relegation last season, especially in the manner on how they were relegated by net run rate against their local rivals. Following a failed appeal Saintfield find themselves in section 2 with it all to do again. I fully expect the Co. Down club to gain promotion at the first time of asking, bound to be the most motivated team in section 2 this year.
Templepatrick A team very similar to Academy, strong batting line up and a good all round bowling attack - only with youth on their side, (sorry Academy Im sure you understand) Busby, Wilson, Jackson, Morrow, Greer and Smith will all be required to push Templepatrick up the league, could 2009 be their year? I certainly see them being in the mix!
And thats it for now folks, all we need is some dry weather, no guarantee there Im afraid, although surely the NCU is due a good summer. No doubt all the teams have already started the dreaded indoor nets, the square is in the final stages of preparation and as the nights begin to stretch the players will be wondering what the 2009 season will hold in store, will it be the dizzying heights of section 1, will you be happy to remain in the comfort zone that is section 2, or is the dreaded section 3 calling out to you!!