…to his famous poem “To Autumn” in 1820, and it was the line that best summed up this year’s cricket season as the conditions were more like Autumn than Summer.
I’m sure there are many cricketers who feel relieved that their season has finally ended, and for those still at each other’s throats up the M2, hang in there as there’s not long to go! The NCU has been guilty of many things, but their intransigence and staunch defence of the rulebook doesn’t seem to have been followed by their provincial neighbours, or has local cricket finally reached the impasse that some people have wanted for so long, the abolition of the rulebook? It may seem too obvious to say, but when the rules are broken, changed, or set aside, then the playing field has been altered, inevitably to the detriment or to the advantage of someone. And surprise, surprise, there’s always a lawyer lurking in the shadows!
Apathy is a word being used more and more in Ulster cricket these days, and the cut-throat win at all costs culture that has ambushed the sport, seems to have railroaded the game and taken out much of the fun and pleasure that was once there. There’s nothing wrong with competitive sport, but when all’s said and done, it’s hardly putting your life on the line in battle. And where is that old fashioned value called sportsmanship these days?
Maybe it was the weather that killed the heart of cricket this summer, but there were few highlights. Our cup final was delayed so long that it became a non-event, and the big international at Stormont will be best remembered for the rain, the missed opportunity to win, and the sulking England players who didn’t want to play in the first place!
Once again northern teams failed to carry off the Irish Senior Cup, and although the gallant Donemana put up a great fight, a few idiots that couldn’t hold their drink ruined their big day.
In the midst of all this doom and gloom there were candles blowing in the wind, perhaps the brightest at Instonians where the club celebrated its first senior cup win in 47 years and then added a share of the league title to mark their first senior ‘double.’ Also, well done Waringstown for fighting back in the last game to secure a share of the title, but with so many games reduced to 20-overs thrashes, it was something of a lottery in the last few weeks. Lurgan and Downpatrick will return to the top division despite Muckamore’s late flourish, and perhaps the biggest accolade should go toArmagh for winning their league title in their special celebratory sesquicentenary year. Also well done to Saintfield for bouncing back, as they appear to have won promotion, and hopefully there’s no delinquent scorebook skeleton in the cupboard to deny them.
Millpark and Dungannon slogged it out for promotion from section 4 but spare a thought for Victoria who completed their programme without a win. Their results deserved better, but at least they are one club that can look forward to next season with enthusiasm as the only way for them is up.
However, can the same be said for the so-called big guns?
Clarence Hiles
Editor
