The news that the Eglinton club has agreed to host the important Ireland four-day fixture against Kenya next week speaks volumes for the spirit of the club and its members. Any club that hosts an international match knows the amount of work and resource that goes into hosting these games, and the huge amount of pressure it places on the club to deliver the goods. Some clubs have excellent facilities, but not every club has the resources and the inclination to put itself under this type of pressure. Thankfully, for many years this visionary club has been at the forefront of Ulster and Irish cricket, and to accept the fixture at such short notice says much for the club and North-West cricket in general.
Of course Eglinton is no stranger to hosting big games, but let’s hope the weather is a little kinder than it was earlier in May when the Friend’s Provident match with Hampshire had to be abandoned without a ball being bowled because of wet conditions under foot. On that occasion not only did the Eglinton grounds staff work miracles to get the playing area close to acceptance, but North-West cricket in general rallied around the club in support. That’s the real spirit of amateur sport and a testimony to the importance that North-West cricket places on hosting big games. After all, the region has been starved of Ireland matches for decades, but when it comes to hosting these games, the cricketing public in the area supports the matches as well as any other venue. There can certainly be no excuse on the cost of tickets for this game as entrance is free, so over four days let’s hope not only the North-West cricket public, but supporters of Irish cricket everywhere, give the team and the venue the support it deserves.
Eglinton Cricket Club has a rich history in Irish club cricket, and has a beautiful ground in the heart of Eglinton village six miles from Derry city. The club has hosted many top representative games over the years including internationals and North-West senior cup finals. Amongst its best-known cricket alumni are the legendary Scott Huey, Sammy Jeffrey, Sean Bradley, Nigel Thompson, and the mighty Barbados all rounder Henderson Wallace. Big Hendy was the longest-serving overseas professional in Irish club cricket staying with the club from 1984 to the late nineties, and in the process playing a pivotal role in cricket development in the area. But for many cricket lovers the Eglinton name will always be synonymous with the great Scott Huey, surely the finest player and sportsman to grace the North-West cricket scene? Scott set records that will never be beaten, but above all, he remained a modest and engaging much-loved sporting personality.
The Eglinton name is also synonymous with one of Irish cricket’s great administrators, Dr. AH “Doc” Montgomery, who served club and unions with such distinction for many years. It was a mantle he handed down to his son Alan, who has also been a great servant of the club, and let’s not forget Jim Simpson, who for many years was the face of Eglinton Cricket Club and North-West cricket in general, as union secretary, president and ICU representative. Other fine club stalwarts have followed in their footsteps, so visitors to Eglinton will not only be assured of a warm welcome, they will enjoy the unique fellowship and atmosphere of one of North-West cricket’s finest venues.
Well done Eglinton Cricket Club, and thanks for continuing to host top matches and promote the game in your region.
Clarence Hiles
Editor
