A busy weekend with 9 matches completed (with a helping hand from D/L) and only two teams gaining full points. Carrickfergus, Cliftonville, Lurgan, and Templepatrick share the lead in the table with 24 points apiece although only 8 points separate the top 8 teams, with Bangor in 9th still not out of it.

Probably pre season favourites Carrickfergus co-lead the table after 2 emphatic victories - on Saturday at Uprichard Park a century stand between Indrajeet Kamtekar (78) and Jamie Holmes (77) proved crucial in the visitors final total of 210. Andy Nixon had the remarkable figures of 7-15. Bangor's revised target was 205 but they were hustled out for 82 with Kamtekar, Richard Hood and Matthew Kernohan taking 3 wickets each. Iain Parkhill's side were on the Co. Down coast again on Sunday where Seapark was the venue and another century partnership, this time unbeaten and featuring Ryan Eagleson (75no) and Alex Haggan (64) was the platform for a total of 217-4 which proved too many for Holywood who were bowled out for 145 with Allistar Slack top scoring with 45 .

Templepatrick also have 24 points and a share of top spot after a fruitful weekend. On Saturday they outclassed bottom club Dundrum by 9 wickets at the Cloughan having dismissed the visitors for 89 with Robert Smith best with 3-29. Jay Hunter continued his excellent form with 62no. On Sunday Bangor were the visitors and set a useful target of 244-9 with Kuda Samunderu outstanding with an unbeaten 152 and Robert Smith again best with 4-37. In reply Templepatrick squeezed home by 2 wickets in a tense finish largely thanks to Bob Homani's 74 , James Jackson (42) and Philip Kernohan (38no).

Also on 24 points are Lurgan and Cliftonville. The former narrowly defeated Derriaghy at Pollock Park on Saturday when the visitors failed by only 16 runs to chase down Lurgan's 198  which owed much to Stephen Chambers 55 with Mark Stinson taking 3-33. Andrew Kenny led the reply with 73 and veteran John Guy took 5-42. The following day Downpatrick were the visitors and Paul Tate's men were too good with a comfortable 7 wicket win. Set 203 to win after Stephen Chambers top scored with 41 and Charlie Power took 4-41 Amit Patil led the way with 102  assisted by Dale Mullan (42) . The Strangford Road side are strongly placed with 20 points from 8 games and look certain to have a major say in the coming months.

Cliftonville had mixed fortunes over the weekend suffering a heavy defeat on Saturday at Seapark where a reduced contest saw the home side win by 64 runs Davy Kennedy (3-30) and Ross Adair with a classy 73no starred for Holywood. However Brian Anderson's team bounced back the following day at Mallusk when, in reply to Woodvale's total of 202-9 with Sujit Khalbor making 105, openers Neil Cahill (107no) and Davy Munn(72no) knocked off the runs in an astonishing 10 wicket win.

In Sunday's other game Dundrum's miserable run continued at Queensway where they were bowled out for 75 with Craig Lewis taking 6-30 . The home side cantered to a 10 wicket victory in under 12 overs with Peter Bell (35no) and Ross Bailey (34no) undefeated at the end.

NEXT FIXTURES - Sunday 13th July
Dundrum  v  Holywood

                    P    W    T    L  NR/V  Pts
Carrickfergus       9    6    0    3    0   24
Lurgan              9    6    0    3    0   24
Templepatrick       9    6    0    3    0   24
Cliftonville       10    6    0    4    0   24
Downpatrick         8    5    0    3    0   20
Derriaghy          10    5    0    5    0   20
Holywood            8    4    0    4    0   16
Woodvale            9    4    0    5    0   16
Bangor              9    3    0    8    0   12
Dundrum             9    0    0    9    0    0