We’re just about putting the final touches to this year’s club reviews at the moment and while there have been a string of big performances in 2015, little doubt that the overall tone is of a slightly disappointing Premiership campaign this time around.

True, the awful “summer” weather has plenty to answer for but a quick look at the stats would suggest that things weren’t as bad as many may be thinking.

Oraine Williams’ 732 runs at an average of around 32 tops the batting charts and following Niall McDonnell’s 1230 runs at an average of 77 in 2013 and Decker’s 1180 at over 56 last season, it looks a much more modest effort from our batsmen.

Conversely however, while 15 players posted 500-plus runs for the season two years ago and 14 did likewise last time, no fewer than 17 passed the landmark in the campaign just ended.

So while no-one has taken the league by storm this time, the overall picture isn’t that much different to what it has been all along.

The trend certainly wasn’t shared in the Championship where, led by a quartet of quality overseas players and excellent efforts from the likes of David Cooke, Darren Moan and Jason Milligan, the runs flowed.

All of that said I would agree that it was a very ordinary year in general but the elements certainly played a big part in a summer of stop-start cricket.

On the bright side, the close season has started in really positive fashion and it is clear that the Union and the clubs have already moved on.

Ardmore have started work on a second pitch while a plethora of coaching clinics for age groups from under-11 to under-15 will begin at centres across the region in the next few weeks.

A youth indoor league will begin shortly followed by a senior version which will shorten the winter for those already missing their fix.

David Bradley has begun his role as Administrator by arranging meetings with clubs who have requested his assistance while Colin Manson certainly hasn’t let any grass grow under his feet as he continues an extensive tour of North West clubs.

On top of that the successful Active Clubs programme launched at the White Horse on Monday evening and was well attended by the majority of reps.

That particular programme is going to be vital as the Club Licensing Scheme steps up a gear in 2016 and it was clear from Monday’s presentation that help will be available on the understanding that clubs are doing their bit as well.

It isn’t going to be enough to simply expect assistance but by the same token, the level of commitment shown to address problems will definitely be matched by the Development teams.

There is a really positive vibe throughout the Union at present to ensure that we work through any issues so kudos to one and all- the top table and the greater floor- as early preparations begin for next summer.

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While there is plenty of very good stuff going on, it is also imperative that the North West Warriors Head Coach situation is resolved sooner rather than later.

This is usually a subject that gets me into trouble with somebody but like most other people I am keen to see the superb work that has happened at Interprovincial level in the past 3 years not being allowed to lose its momentum.

Our “young Warriors” are desperate to know who is going to be in the winter squad while at senior level we saw good progress in two of the three competitions last season.

Given that this is a young squad of local players the Warriors are in an ideal position now to crack on in a bid to narrow the gap between themselves and Leinster Lightning.

Part of that process will be some form of continuity following on from the giant strides made under Bobby since the Interpros began.

The meeting earlier this week will have given Cricket Ireland some handle on the TAPP funding issue and it looks fairly certain that there will be at least the same resources available again for the next segment.

The word on the street is that some of the roles may be redefined- including that of Head Coach- so it is something we would need confirmed at the earliest opportunity.

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Finally for now a reminder that the North West presentation dinner will be held on Friday 6 November at the White Horse Hotel.

The Union is really keen to have full participation from all clubs but are especially hopeful that ladies cricket will be well represented this time.

The ladies’ game has come on leaps and bounds in the last couple of years and the North West is determined to have that integrated into its schedule as much as possible going forward.

To that end, Andrew Fleming has extended a specific invitation to all the ladies teams to be represented at this year’s function. The Chairman is clearly determined to keep the sport here moving forward over the next few years and sees a huge role for ladies cricket as a part of that vision.

Tickets for the dinner (priced at £25) are available through the clubs themselves or can be purchased directly from any Union official.