Parkhill believes Carrick can make an impression

Talking to captain Iain Parkhill it is a rejuvenated Carrick and the mantra now seems to be very much - “We’re looking up, not down.”

“I believe we have a decent squad, we have added Pat Botha, who is a good professional, at 26 very much in his prime, a left handed bat, right arm off spinner and superb fielder.

“He simply loves his cricket, would play seven days a week, has added a new professionalism to our approach and is doing tremendous work both around the club and with the community.

“I think we have a great middle order now, Jamie Holmes has had a great start and Ryan Eagleson is coming in at seven, it is up to the rest of us to support, providing solidity and depth.

“Look I am well aware there will be tough days ahead, but we have targets in mind and this is a big weekend for sure; Instonians on Saturday and Drummond in the Irish Cup on Sunday, both will be tough.”

Having already chased down 250 in 50 overs at North Down and posted 172 in a T20 fixture it certainly augurs well from a batting perspective. Defeat for Instonians would spell something of a mini crisis despite that fine win against Clontarf in the Irish Cup. For me it won’t be a surprise to see a few other scalps taken by Carrickfergus and perhaps a top four spot is now a realistic target!

Only three games this weekend in the Premier League due to the postponement of the CSNI v CIYMS game due to Police Dog Trials at Stormont.

In the past North Down versus Waringstown would have been game of the day, but given the home side’s start to the season it is hard to see anything other than victory for the defending champions.