CIVIL Service North have signalled their intention to challenge the Big Two in the Ulster Bank Premier League by snapping up the signature of Regan West. The former Bangor professional and Instonians all rounder will join his New Zealand compatriots Nigel Jones and Ewen Thompson at Stormont next  season to form a formidable trio which could win a game on their own.

And with professionals eligible for the Irish Senior Cup next season, it means all three Kiwis will be available for all CSN's games, bar the Challenge Cup.

Jones, who will captain the team again next year, confirmed the move this morning.
"Yes, Regan is on board for next season and we hope he will help Civil Service North to push on and maybe even challenge  North Down and Waringstown," said Jones.
It is a far cry from last summer when, for much of the season, the club were fighting relegation as Jones readily admits.
"If it wasn't for Ewan's and my runs (an aggregate of 1,009) and Ewen's wickets (57), there is no doubt we would be in Section Two. (They finished just one win above the drop zone). But there were other mitigating circumstances," he added.
The biggest was their inability to get the same 11 onto the field in two successive matches.
"We used 33 players last season and had to make changes every single week!"
But next year will be different, Jones promised.
"With (Wayne) Horwood, my vice-captain, Ewen, Regan and Rob Arthur, who played in only half our matches, all definite starters every week next year we have a core of players to build on and with Allan and Hamish Coulter also able to play a full part, we are going in the right direction," said the CSN
skipper.

"In Regan, we have signed a quality batsman and a quality bowler — indeed he is two players in one."
And the fact that Jones lived with West when they were playing together as professionals in Scotland and against each other back in New Zealand should, the captain believes, ensure against the disciplinary problems, which Regan has found himself in over the last two seasons.
"I understand the problems with opponents and local umpires were due to a combination of different things but with  our good friendship and my captaincy, I don't envisage any problems next year, said Jones.

West agrees. "I don't want to see another disciplinary committee room. I am sick of it and they are probably sick of me," he said.
But he admitted the link-up with his fellow New Zealanders proved impossible to turn down.
"It will be great to play again with ET and Nigel. Why did I leave Instonians? It was time for a change and Civil Service North offers a different opportunity. They are looking to do a lot of work on their facilities and that was another big attraction," added West.
"Apart from the three of us, there are some good young players at the club and we will certainly give it a crack at moving up the table. It promises to be very enjoyable."
West qualifies to play for Ireland at the end of next season and, even at the age of 28, he insists that is  now a big focus.
"I don't know if I will be good enough to break into the squad but I want to give myself every opportunity. So, I have planned a very big off-season, working on my fitness and will be looking for a big season on the field next year, he said.
"With the World Cup qualifying tournament coming up in early 2009, it is too good an opportunity to miss."

Civil Service North and — possibly Ireland have much to look forward to.

Confirming West will help Thompson in coaching the club's academy players, chairman Peter McMorran added: "CSNICC now have one of the strongest coaching teams of any club in the NCU which augers well for the future of our club.
"We have Northern Ireland youth representatives at Under 12, 14, 17 and 21 and these individuals and their aspiring youth colleagues deserve the best coaching available."