Forum

I am making a comment about the lack of coverage that the non premier league clubs get. After buying the News Letter over the past few years I am yet to see of any mention on Section 1 cricket. This being the most competitive league in all sections and not just a 1 or 2 horse race like other leagues (in my opinion). Other than the likes of Waringstown, CIYMS and Instonians the majority of other clubs don't get a mention.

Just a slight criticism in our journalists to maybe look through the top Premier League sides and give some of the smaller clubs the recognition they deserve for some of their achievements!

Played in a game on Sunday at Saintfield against Saintfield 1sts, a match that if there was no play would have been a no result which wouldn't have been good for either team.

A massive well done to both umpires Dessie Milne and Tommy Deegan who used a lot of common sense and showed a willingness to get a result achieved where a few others would have possibly been a bit more fussy and also a big well done to a young Saintfield team led by Gareth Harrison who worked there socks off all day with covers to keep the wicket dry and a top wicket it was too, possibly the best we have played on all season so far.

I just can't understand the N/R ruling, surely even a bowl out would be better than a no result??? I know there is a lot of pressure on guys playing double headers and so on but we have all week to play a 20 over or even 10 over bash to achieve a result instead of the dreaded N/R???

Here's hoping the weather finally picks up over the coming days and we won't have to worry about N/R but just food for thought and would be good to have some thoughts from others.......

Is this the wettest season on record or are we being over protective of our squares ? Or is it time to invest more in protective covering ?
Surely in Northern Ireland we have to accept that every game can't be played in perfect conditions.
The alternative is lots of fixtures crushed in to the end of season , make shift teams fielded , teams playing without pro's , lots of 20 over lotteries .
Why matches are called off at 12 noon when the forecast is for a dry afternoon baffles me . Better a 20 over game starting at 5.30pm with full strength teams than weakened teams on a Friday afternoon.
Is it time to invest in improved drainage instead of an overseas pro ?
When you look at the top three leagues - after 11 weeks of what's a 20 week season we have 17 games out of 56 played in the Premier League , 37 out of 90 played in Section One and only 15 out of 56 in Junior One.
Surely clubs must now invest in extra tarpaulins to cover the square and bowlers run ups , mats to cover old wickets that allow play to go ahead , and better drainage.
Irregular games will drive more and more players to the golf course .
And let's not suggest "less cricket and shorter matches ". At probably only 22 games a season maximum it's a short season. What we need is a "willingness to play in less than perfect conditions " and a bit more help for our groundsmen to repair any damaged ends .

It really has been an awful summer so far. I didn't realise how bad until I looked at Junior cricket tables - CIYMS 2s (1 game), Ards & Donaghadee (3) and Nth Down 4s (4). And we're into the 3rd week in July! Nightmare for fixture secretaries!!

RE: NCU medium pacer.

Please read your NCU bye-laws! Bye-law (v) says
(v) Short-pitched Bowling if the ball passes, or would have passed, above the shoulder height of the striker
standing upright at the crease, the umpire shall call and signal 'No ball'.
Hope this clarifies the correct call for you.

Provision for the no ball call is made in NCU Bye Laws. It refers to short pitched bowling above shoulder height. No mention of pace of bowler so I assume the same applied to a spinner.

Can't clarify the rules but I've noticed this too!

Crap rule (If that is the rule). Puts a bowler off bowling a bouncer, especially when free hits are involved. Batsman's game nowadays!!!

Re Short Pitched Bowling

In NCU League/Cup Matches the NCU Bye Laws cover this:

(v) Short-pitched Bowling: if the ball passes, or would have passed, above the shoulder height of the striker standing upright at the crease, the umpire shall call and signal 'No ball'.

(v) Short-pitched Bowling if the ball passes, or would have passed, above the shoulder height of the striker standing upright at the crease, the umpire shall call and signal 'No ball'.

NCU BYE-LAWS (2016 Edition)

(v) Short pitched Bowling
if the ball passes, or would have passed, above the shoulder height of the striker standing upright at the crease, the umpire shall call and signal 'No ball'

Hello all,

Just on here looking for clarification as I see this happen nearly every week in the NCU.

When a'quick' bowler bowls a bouncer to a batsman and it goes over the batsmans head, I have noticed that the umpires go straight to a 'no ball'. Is it not the case that this should only be called a wide?

If any local umpires on here could give me their view it would be much appreciated.

Andy,

Judging by Ally's magnimous post, I don't think there's too much to worry about?

Whatever the source or substance of those rather puerile and facile comments you refer to on 'social media,' they should be treated with the contempt they deserve !

'Esprit de corps'

Have left this for a week or so to let the situation around the Muckamore v Carrickfergus quarter final last Saturday settle a bit.

I have been asked by the Carrickfergus club to post on the forum their thanks to all at the Muckamore club for the understanding on the day and the messages regarding Gordon etc since last Saturday; Also to those medically trained people who were at the ground acted swiftly and professionally throughout. Mention also to umpires Michael Foster and Gary Blair who acted impeccably, being completely fair to both teams and despite the importance of the game, assessing the situation appropriately.

One of the consequences of the difficult events was that a dampener was put on the day that the Muckamore club had put in place. Congratulations should be sent to the Antrim club for attempting to raise the profile of our game by having such an innovative event as the ‘Ladies Day’. Competitions, great food, promotions and music, there was so much going on and the effort put in was first class.

Finally Carrick would like to thank Muckamore for generously donating around £120 that was raised by their tennis ball challenge during the tea interval. They kindly agreed to donate this money to the Carrickfergus Charity partner for this year Pretty’n’Pink and the charity have also reiterated thanks for this superb gesture to a fantastic cause.
Best of luck to Muckamore in their efforts both on and off the cricket field.

I realise that there is a marked difference between outlets such as this forum and the so-called 'social media' and I have, in the past, been chirped at for some of my postings on this site. This causes me no concern because I feel that strong debate is of value. So that makes me ask 'is it fair for colleagues to be commenting on other sites about decisions being made by fellow umpires in games in which they (the posters) are not directly involved'? A couple of instances of criticism over the weekend and there was me thinking we are all on the same side!!

Graham Cup Rearrangement

The final will now take place (weather permitting) at Wallace Park on Tuesday 28th at 4-30pm.