All change for new season

North Down lifted the 2001 Senior Cup

There will be a few new teams and even more new faces when the NCU and North-West action gets underway on Saturday.

The big news in the NCU is that, for the first time ever, all 10 Section One clubs will field an overseas professional.

Six are South Africans with Andrew Lawson (Lurgan), Alphonso Thomas (Cliftonville) and Eugene Moleon (Instonians) being the new arrivals.

Of course they are not the only Protea newcomers after Adrian Birrell was appointed National Coach in March.

Omens good

Bryan Baguley is also part of the South African invasion and he helped guide Muckamore to promotion from Section Two last year.

Indeed, the Moylena club is the fifth in successive years to bounce straight back up to the top flight.

With three of these winning the title in their first year back, the omens are good for the Co. Antrim outfit.

But player/coach Baguley is playing down his team's chances of continuing an amazing record.

Good Shot

He said: "I'm not so sure we'll be eyeing the Championship. If we can keep our heads well above water we'll be happy.

"We'll give it a good shot with the players who did us proud last season. They stayed with us and now we're staying with them.

"I'm not so sure I've managed to get 100 per cent from all the players as yet but that's my target as coach."

It will be a baptism of fire for the Co Antrim side as they open their campaign against champions North Down, who were skippered to an impressive 'double' last year by Paul Shields.

If we can keep our heads well above water we'll be happy.

Bryan Baguley

Indian Kawshik Aphale is Woodvale's first overseas signing in four years while Belfast Harlequins (formerly North) have snapped up Ijaz Ahmed jrn, a Pakistani all-rounder with two Test caps.

There's also a new face at Waringstown, with Gayan Wijicome replacing Sri Lankan team-mate Pulashti Gunaratna.

A re-vamped North-West Senior One has been increased from eight to 10 teams this season, with promoted Eglinton and Glendermott joining the fray.

Glendermott have shown their ambition by recruiting Irish internationals Gary Neely and Derek Heasley along with Pakistani bowler Shabbir Ahmed.

Bowlers return

But a sense of familiarity should remain with champions Brigade, Limavady and Donemana again tipped as favourites for honours.

Limavady are pinning their faith in youth with 20-year-old wicketkeeper/batsman Kamran Akmal of Pakistan replacing Jadeep Nurse.

The Roe Valley outfit also welcome back top bowlers Geoffrey Lockhart and Roger Kerr.

Mark Gillespie has joined Ardmore from Strabane but the Tyrone side have brought in Sri Lankan international Jeevantha Kulatunga to fill the void.

The main challenge to the 'big three' should come from Bready, Eglinton and Glendermott.

Saturday fixtures

Ulster Bank NCU Section One

B.Harlequins v Downpatrick
Cliftonville v Lisburn
Instonians v Woodvale
Lurgan v Waringstown (OFF)
Muckamore v North Down

Derry Journal North-West Senior One

Drummond v Limavady
Brigade v Eglington
Glendermott v Bready
Donemana v Fox Lodge
Sion Mills v Strabane