The situation was widely anticipated and the NCU Emergency Committee took the unprecedented step of contacting clubs to get their opinions in the event of unplayable pitches, but from all accounts they were told everything was under control and there were good prospects of play at each venue. Wow! That takes some believing looking at the weather forecast and the rain that washed out play at Stormont.
Senior Cup holders Waringstown and neighbours Lurgan will feel most aggrieved after they lost bowl out lotteries to Lisburn and Muckamore respectively, and with five weeks until the cup final it is difficult to understand why postponements could not have been accommodated. Yes, we have a rulebook, but the first rule in any rulebook is the rule of common sense, and with plenty of notice a much better solution should have been found.
The presence of bowl outs in the rulebook is the fundamental problem and the reason it is there is because a majority of clubs voted for it. If clubs now see more negative than positive factors then they should rescind the rule and restore some respect and fair play to this great competition. There’s nothing wrong with moving with the times and trying new concepts like the One Day Final, but giving clubs an option to have a bowl out when the ground is unplayable opens a can of worms. Lisburn will feel the brunt of criticism for electing to go the bowl out route rather than accept Waringstown’s offer to play the game at The Lawn, but they didn’t break any rules so at the end of the day it is their sportsmanship that will be called to question. Controversial incidents have been part and parcel of local cricket for decades, and Waringstown have been involved in their fair share, but it is difficult not to have sympathy for the cup holders this time. After all, surely we want to play cricket?
It was certainly a good bowl out weekend for Lisburn as their Seconds beat Cregagh in similar circumstances and CI Seconds had a bowl out win over Armagh. Laurelvale and Cooke Collegians won by the conventional route at the expense of North Down and Templepatrick.
In the past controversial incidents have sparked widespread condemnation and much of it has been showered on the NCU administrators. But the NCU only administer the rules not sets them, so it remains to be seen if this grossly unfair rule is tested at our next AGM.
Meanwhile the Semi-finals are set for next Saturday and unless the weather improves we could be heading for similar problems unless common sense kicks in.
This is Ireland and we have to live with rain and the prospect of unplayable pitches from time to time, but we must not succumb to it or the game will die a slow death.
Clarence Hiles
Editor
