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when a team calls off a game due to weather and the away team asks questions and ask to play the following week because they may not have a game for two weeks due to cup games or rearrangements they know the fixtures as they made them give the clubs a bit of leeway

The theme of lowering standards outside of the Premier section is completely justified. I have watched a lot of games this season at all levels, including schools matches and there is no doubt that skill levels are dropping. And this is despite 30+ seasons of 'professional' coaches. Another worrying aspect that I heard a 'whisper' of while in the mid-Ulster area is of wee lads being encouraged to switch clubs because of promises of access to the NCU age group squads. I repeat that it was only a 'whisper' and I 'doubt' if that would happen but isn't it interesting the things one hears being discussed during the long rain breaks?

Ivan,
I trust the fault doesn't lie with the 'Ulster Cricketer.' We report the news and views.

I hate reading all this doom and gloom about cricket in Ulster. Especially on a site called the "Ulster Cricketer".
We are three weeks in to the season. There's lots to be positive about. Ireland are playing five ( yes 5) ODI's at Stormont in July, Section One clubs are beating Premier League clubs, loads of coaching going on in schools, ladies cricket continuing to grow. Nothern Knights showing they have the talent to compete against the all conquering Leinster Lightining and what a game the inter pro at Bready should be starting on 21st June.
So let's be positive.
As for clubs folding or not fulfilling fixtures is it time we abolished he term Senior and Junior from our cricket leagues?
What's wrong with Section 1 to Section 12 and hopefully Section 15 before long?
Then maybe clubs can slot in at "their" level . Remember if they get it slightly wrong to start within a few seasons that will level itself out.
By doing that they might win more than they lose and nothing breeds success like success and down the leagues they wouldn't have £1,000 a year unpires fees.
By going to open leagues you allow every team ( not just club) play at the appropriate level .
Let's look for ways to make cricket bigger and stronger NOT knocking it and our Unions that are working so hard behind the scenes.

Shortly after the conclusion of last season, some may recollect my post re the official announcement of retirement concerning our dear friend and colleague 'Robbie Streat' ?

Alas, this still transpires to be the case but typical of the man, he didn't go down without a fight! Please see below a copy & paste of the text he sent me today..

' Ressurrect the poem, I'll not be playing, tried my best, but both GP, Consultant & Physio say with only 30% cartilage left, I would be taking a very severe risk, however, least you might have a better chance of being top wicket taker this year'

Puts things into perspective really when one reads these days of so many cry-offs, unfulfilled fixtures and club liquidations, etc etc. truly abysmal, if I may be bold enough to say so myself ?

Ode to Robbie Streat

Robbie Streat abhorred defeat
a cricketer of substance,
First out to bat, wearing trademark cloth hat
left-handed, in style and stance

And he could bowl with pace and soul
always on the money,
Deceptively quick, quite a unique trick
every batsman was his bunny

In he'd bound, right arm over, or around
never conceding extras,
And his talent went deep, he could also wicket-keep
was there ever one so dextrous?

Alas, he announced today, “No more play
Boys, this time I'm beat,
Due to a ruptured knee, I'll just make the tea
the end is nigh for Robbie Streat”

His teammates sighed, some even cried
on hearing of his plight,
For they knew, Robbie was the glue
that strengthen resolve when in a fight

But their grief was short, as Robbie did retort
“I'll not hide my light under a bushel,
By trade a fitter and never a quitter
beyond the boundary, is where I'll flex my voice-muscle

I shall take my rightful seat, long-side a class elite
with Gerald, big Harv and many more,
So uplift your hearts, for when the season starts
together... We'll give ‘em war! “

( Good luck Robbie... twas truly a privilege mate )

well for once im going to applaud north down for fulfilling their fixtures because many teams wouldnt even have bothered to fulfil the fixtures and i can assure you there will be plenty of scratched fixtures this year because thats the way the game is heading the ncu can tell us the game is blossoming and all is rosy with the northern knights but when they had an unpaid game a few weeks ago there where a few players strangely unavailable if this is left unchecked and all the small clubs are folding where is your next generation coming from i suppose we can always import them

I am not being presumptious here as I have many years experience of getting 3rd & 4th XIs out and I must admit that there didn't seem to be the pressures as there are now. We never took the field with less than eleven - except one memorable with twelve (don't ask!) but then again we didn't organise fixtures during mid May - mid June. This would be a possible solution but again I accept that there were more 'older' players about in those days as well.

Long time reader, first time poster....
I have to pick up on 'Mike' and I have to agree - what has happened to the mighty NDCC? How can a club that enters 4 senior team struggle to get 11 for 2nd XI game?
Are clubs being over ambitious entering 4ths and 5th and ending up scratching a number of fixtures? Its not the valuable efforts of the captains or selection committees, its the lack of commitment from the registered players that is the problem.

Already CLUB BASHING has started .No club is embarassed on struggling getting a team out yes dissapointed as we fight thru other sports exams schools cricket work commitments and balancing work and family quality time , sat we fielded for 14 overs with NINE FIELDERS (subs should be alowed in this case) as two great young lads struggled to beat busy sat traffic /accident? Sunday our overseas indian player Prem Ahire wasnt allowed play junior cup (we still would lost )and help quide our very young side thru a very heavy defeat (the fact that that Muckamore seconds fielded THREE very good indians all founders is not a dig at them as ther club is thriving and brilliant work by all involved ) .My point is that cricket in 70% clubs are struggling as lots players dont want double headers or 50 over cricket and my ideas are revamp the NCU AGM as its time that each section votes on what ther club requires ie how can Monaghan vote on what Waringstown need is premier and vice versa ? This is my idea id make PREMIER 14 teams Downpatrick/Muckamore/Lurgan/Ballymena/Bangor/Woodvale one home game each year which FREES up lots dates run proper T20 CUPS with massive semi finals day with barbeques music lots great ideas to make it spectator friendly and stop this madness of familys gettting destroyed with playing sat and sunday missing out on there children growing up (we have all done it).I have played 45 years and would play 60 over games and every day but them days are gone cricket and the NCU need to move with the times as our great game and clubs are in lot more trouble than most realise id say present players career is between 10 /15 years.The present younger players and im not talking about NCU sguad players want shorter games as they seek balance enjoying weekends we must address that asap ,Lets look at last sat we had lot schoolboys playing sat morning afternoon and sunday (one them said me thank god we out in 14 overs as can study and get back to life ) but his point was its far to much to expect anyone to play cricket fot 240 overs in weekend in fairness I AGREE . I am stalwart and proud of my clubs effort FREE Cricket over 8 weeks and nine shools involved with finals day but even i cant promise we will get 20 kids wanting to join club but i gave commitment that while still alive ill do something to put back inrto the game as i have gained much more out of .ps Muckamore destroyed us but i simply set them up FREE REFRESHMENTS AND BURGERS as no one died and it was great day lots enjoyed except our young batsmen.and we all should remember theres more to life that cricket.pps bet you Andy Clement saying that god Jeff didnt phone him with this RANT.

Why do people need to take it upon themselves to write about other clubs without knowing the circumstances and situation? Instead of focusing on individual clubs, one should take a look at the overall
health of the game. Let's be clear, Cricket in Ulster is not in as strong a position as people think! Take out paid players (including pros and Irish Passport holders which I know is an exhausted argument) and that's where we stand. I do respect that certain clubs are in strong positions with great youth set ups with 4 or more senior teams but these clubs are a minority and I am seeing the majority in this situation increase each year!

Mike. I would welcome your surname so that we know who we are talking to. I am far from ashamed. I applaud the hard working efforts of 2 team captains trying to get 11 players each for Saturday in the middle of exam season. I applaud the players that took to the field in an effort to play a game of cricket rather than find some excuse not to play as other clubs have done lately. It’s too easy to hide behind anonymity and throw things then run away and hide. Come down to the Green any night of the week and see how much time and effort is going into a club of North Down’s stature. We might even find something positive for you to do. I am far from ashamed.

Mike. Who do you think you are to criticise any club of their affairs.

Maybe if you took a look at the ncu as a whole you might realise that it's not an easy task getting teams together week in week out. It's hard work by a devoted few in each club.

Already this season drumaness have folded. I note that both Dungannon and Ards failed to fulfil first eleven fixtures last weekend. And already there have been a few other junior league teams giving walkovers.

It's not all rosey out there !

Re- Andys comments on ground improvements at Woodvale C.C...
Hey Andy thanks for your kind words about our sight screens and ground improvements. They have a good group of guys working beaverishly behind the scenes to secure funding for such things. They also (as you know) have a great wee clubhouse with a bar that sells all sorts of refreshments to raise revenue.They are available to: members, non members and visiting officials and players. Perhaps next time you are over Belmont direction you could pass this on!! Maybe they were stuck for cash...who knows??

What is happening at north down seconds and thirds can't get eleven players to play I've watched many a game and a club of north downs stature should be ashamed I've seen 5ths and 6ths teams at clubs field eleven players

20/20 at Middle Road on Friday night. Well marketed, beer promotions, music and Aliie McCalmont on the mike. Weather was a great plus. Great entertainment - not sure about the 'light up' bails being used in bright sunshine.