Forum

I haven't played a serious cricket game on our main square in almost ten years and while I've watched a lot it's not the same as batting to judge what a pitch is playing like.
I have watched a lot of games in that time and can't remember too many "minefields".
Just recently we scored 180 for 3 against Instonians in the Senior Cup against what was an all Inter Pro attack.
Eglinton came down in the ISC and scored close on 300.
We had a low scoring game early on against Downpatrick on what was probably the most miserable day to play or watch cricket in many a long day. Our 125 was as much down to bad batting and decent bowling / fielding than it was the pitch. Downpatrick applied themselves and won by I think seven wickets.
I will watch with extra interest in Saturday when our 1sts play Saintfield and on Sunday when we play Lurgan.
All that said I don't think there are many at Moylena who would argue that we can still improve the pitches year on year.
I'm not sure why all this "aggro" against Muckamore because all we do is work hard trying to improve all facets of the club year on year and support NCU cricket should that be hosting games , encouraging guys to take up umpiring , sit on committees , coach at under age level or going along to watch inter pro's or internationals .
But no matter what you can never please all of the people all of the time.

First slip, another section 1 cricketer etc
I
There's no criticism of other clubs in any post by Ivan mccombe. His post on 12 July says (paraphrasing) that we live in a wet country maybe we should all spend more on tarpaulins so that we get more games completed. Now that's not unreasonable is it?
So why all the need to disguise your identities and launch into such invective and speculation? For example, can you really speak on behalf of a majority of section 1 cricketers? Aren't the umpires and captains supposed to give reports on the pitches.
That's not to say that every pitch every week is going to be perfect. I played on a few stinkers around the leagues. But sometimes it's part of the game, no one has full time groundsmen, get on with it. Theres no need to bring the game itself into disrepute by slagging each other. Don't think this website is sponsored by trip adviser! Despite this I hope you enjoy your next visit to moylena. Come in for a beer and a chat. Like the old days before social media.

Re Billy.

NCU already have minimum grounds requirements.
7 COVERS
7.1 Wheeled covers which are easily portable and have water-tight joins and long hoses are required.
7.2 Covers must be available to protect the pitch and bowlers’ run ups from rain before and
during a match and must protect at least 80 ft x 12 ft, taking into account the contours and
drainage of the ground.
7.3 Plastic sheets and/or tarpaulins must be used to protect the bowlers’ run-ups and areas on
each side of the wicket which are not already protected by the wheeled covers. These
must be capable of being fastened down to prevent seepage and must cover an area of 80
ft x 12 ft on each side of the wicket. If the bowlers’ run-ups can be protected by longer
coverage, that is strongly recommended.
8 DRYING EQUIPMENT
8.1 A ‘water hog’ must be available.
8.2 An adequate supply of sawdust and cloths must
be available to minimise lost time due to wet ground.
8.3 Other drying equipment including brushes,forks and squeegees must be available

Wasn't having a cheap shot - just looking at the picture that was on NCU website. And I have advocated many times on this site that there should be a minimum standards for promotion, not only on ground equipment but also in relation club infrastructure such as changing facilities and accommodation. It happens in other GB Unions and Associations. An organisation that I am involved with, totally unrelated to cricket, obtained a Big Lottery Grant of over £28k. Should we be looking to appoint a Grants Officer centrally? Just a thought!

Andy

You really can't help yourself. Leave CIYMS out of your cheap shots. You will know well that there are side sheets, run up covers, and four covers. If more clubs invested in the same then more games may have been played this summer

If the NCU wish then why don't they impose a minimum level of covers and ground equipment needed to play in Premier League?

Don't worry Ivan - I think 'Section 1 cricketer' has gotten himself a bit confused about names, positions, etc. Clearly someone really au fait with things!!

Oh Dear! it looks as though the bubble has finally burst around the 'best club outside the Premier League', once the slight bit of criticism was levied the floodgates have opened.

Some may say this is jealousy, however jealousy is wanting something someone else has, instead I put this down to a growing dislike which stems from the players and officials perceived arrogance that they are bigger and better than they are! Correct me if I'm wrong but judging by posts this belief is held by more than just myself.

RE Anon

Just like to echo your comments about Ryan Eagleson.From my experience of playing against him a real tough competitor who isn't shy of a few words but after the game always up for a chat over a beer.
How long can he keep playing in the premier league is the worry for Carrick.

Ivan,
I would like to retract my statement about the ncu chairman. My source was incorrect, it was in fact a well known umpire who posts on here a lot who made the statement on FB.i would think if you ask the majority of section 1 cricketers what they think of the tracks at moylena they would agree with me. Yes you might put more effort in to the pitch for a final which means the stats will be favourable but maybe the same effort should go in to preparing decent tracks for the league games. Just an observation.

Congrats to Clogher cc for their border league win over Taverners cc this evening. A fantastic match, and a perfect model of a more relaxed style of league cricket.
Well done.

I must admit while I'm not a Nolan show regular listener ( I'm an Alan Brazil / Colin Murray man ) I do smile at some of the contributors and it's the same tonight on here .
I would just love to see a link to any comment Andy Clement has made on Facebook about Muckamore in his three seasons as NCU chairman . They DO NOT exist.
Andy has worked tirelessly for the Union and we are certainly looking at getting him back and putting some of the experiences he has gained in to the club from 2017/ 2018.
Regarding the pitches. I have never heard a complaint from any cup final team who have played at Moylena. The schools cup final this year had 360 runs in 80 overs and last year's Junior Cup final had five 50's . Trust me we do not go chasing these games as they are hard work and involve a large team of volunteers , postponing of club fixtures etc . We just see them as our duty as part of the larger NCU family.
I would also reckon by the end of any season the average runs per game at Moylena will stand up to scrutiny with any other club ( but sure lets not let the truth get in the way of a cheap "anonymous " comment ).
My number is 07553388190 if anyone wants to offer advice / help on how we can improve things , I will certainly bring your ideas to the committee.

The editors of the Forum are men of discretion - even allowing nom de plumes. The picture of Belmont indicated how wet the ground was but I didn't see any sheets, etc. in place but perhaps the photo angle didn't take them in. If such equipment wasn't available to a Premier club then what chance do the type of clubs mentioned in my posting have. Now what part of that do some of you anonymous writer not get? At the risk of repeating myself, my comments related to the malaise that exists in the NCU lower sections. I would refer to the situation that has evolved in Ulster rugby and the decline in what is now referred to the 'domestic game' that is being mirrored in cricket. No-one seems to have picked up on my remarks about the possibility of available finance. Have any clubs made any approach for finance to the new super Councils that are charged with community development? Since my posting appeared I have had comments by a couple of people who have identified with my input. And while I'm on - Congratulations to Larne on their unbeaten run!

Regarding a few comments made by Muckamore senior club members recently about other grounds, not least the NCU chairman himself on facebook. I honestly believe they are delusional up in Antrim. Yes Moylena has improved looks and facilities wise recently and fair play for that but the quality of the important area the tracks are absolutely awful. How they get cup finals etc is beyond me. So maybe instead of Andy worrying about pitches at other clubs maybe stopping muckamore win the league they should have a wee look closer to home.

Andy, i hope you aren't comparing any of the editors on the Forum to Stephen Nolan in your comparison.

Your comment that 'My reading coincided with the news that the club that is reputed to be the big spenders on the playing side was among the first to call off on Friday for a Saturday game' seemed to me to be a bit of a criticism but perhaps that's my interpretation.

If the forum isn't open to peoples opinions then I apologise for my previous comment, it seems you cant say anything (about certain clubs) without offending!

Perhaps members of the union should come together and take on the great example set by the Antrim club and become one big Family eh?

I'm not sure about the Nolan show but I just wish people would read what's written before going in to "foot in mouth " mode.
My post actually asks " Is it now time to start investing in extra drainage rather than an overseas pro ?".
This applies to Muckamore as much if not maybe more than other clubs. We have recently had matches called off at Moylena when other clubs played .
Our problem is the new compacted clay pitches don't let the water away so we either invest in more drainage or extra covering .
You certainly won't find me defending our back pitch. In my last year as captain of our 3rds ( 2014) I played all our home games at Parkhall School but unfortunately that pitch isn't currently available as a new school is being built where the pitch was.
We have added changing facilities on the back pitch this season and between now and next season will address the other issues.
While Muckamore have had pro's both overseas and local for many seasons they have also continually invested in their facilities - playing , practice and social.