WARINGSTOWN
Captain: Greg Thompson
Overseas pro: Daniel van der Merwe
Players in: Ross Allen
Players out: Lee Nelson (ret), Ben Snell.

The defending champions once again set the benchmark for other NCU clubs and no doubt will be among the challengers for all the major honours in what has become an incredibly tough Premiership.

There have been a few personnel changes over the close season with left-arm spinner Ross Allen back after moving to England for work commitments. Ben Snell has switched to CIYMS seeking greater opportunities. Lee Nelson has also called time on a stellar senior career, although will still be around The Lawn to help where required.

There is a new overseas professional at The Lawn, with young South African left-arm quick and middle-order batter Daniel van der Merwe arriving in place of Biliwal Bhatti.

"We hope to be at the sharp end of most competitions," Said Thompson. "We are obviously coming off the back of a strong showing last year, and we feel we have another strong squad, although availability may as always be an issue at times. Players of the caliber of the Topping brothers, James McCollum and Graham Hume may not always be available to us through representative commitments, and James Cameron-Dow will have his own commitments with Ireland Women.

"In terms of young players coming through the ranks, Waringstown are very lucky to have a rich seam of talent that are emerging and will have an impact in the coming seasons. Robbie McCollam, Zayan Malik, Thomas Hamill will all hopefully get opportunities to showcase their talents, along with Jack Snell who had had a few senior appearances already.

"I'm also very excited by Matthew Halliday who will be in his second season with us. He's a quick scoring batsman-wicketkeeper who is also electric in the field and with a year under his belt could have a really big season ahead of him."