...but relegation is not the end of the world. This has been another horrendous season weather-wise and in some instances the difference between staying up and going down was decided by the weather. That said, well done to the clubs who went out of their way to let cricket decide the outcome of some key matches over last weekend when other options were available. Perhaps a special compliment to Andrew Hammond and the Portadown members is not out of order for their appreciation of the efforts to support them this season when they had to play all their games away. Hopefully they can bounce back quickly and well done everyone mentioned by Andrew. The spirit of cricket lives longer than match results.
If any club needs inspiration that relegation is not the end of the world then look at Muckamore this season. The Moylena men were very disappointed to have lasted just one season back with the big boys in the Premier Section, but they had a tremendous 2012 season wining cups aplenty and they didn’t even win promotion, which was probably their major goal! That honour went to Lurgan, who know only too well the ups and downs of Premier Section cricket. “Too good for Section 1, but not good enough for the Premier League” might describe their plight in recent years, but winning like losing is a habit. Quite often it works positively to drop a section and bounce back after a season of wins. Winning is good for club morale irrespective of what section you win, which is why it is important that every winning team is given its moment of glory at the Annual NCU Dinner and Presentation of Awards. Bragging rights are hard earned and every winner deserves their moment of glory.
During the 1990s Lisburn, North Down, Waringstown and North of Ireland, arguably the four most successful clubs in the history of the NCU, all got relegated from the top section. And then all four bounced back with considerable success because they rallied their resources and it is no surprise that they sit in strong positions today. And therein lies the challenge for every relegated club-rally your resources over the winter and come back with determination in 2013 to win promotion and bounce back. That’s what healthy competition is all about.
In the meantime come along to the NCU Dinner and tell your rivals how you plan to do it!
Clarence Hiles
Editor
