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Ref NCU U15'S

As someone who has not had a long affiliation with any club within the NCU I felt obliged to write and vent my anger regarding the selection of the NCU U15 team for the forthcoming tour to Denmark and the Interpros.

The players were told they would be picked on merit depending on how they performed in the two trial matches ! This is obviously not the case and the squad has in my opinion been picked in order to appease ex-players who are well known to the coaching staff or have strong connections with the coaching staff.

Disappointing to say the least !!!

Having been at Woodvale I now understand the reason behind Ronnie McAlpine's posting. Lots of postings about the decline in standards but socialising after the game was always one of the enjoyable parts of it. Perhaps BT4 is getting the Dublin D4 mentality!

The Knights v Warriors last night at Comber in the T20 proved again that when it comes to staging games North Down is a great venue. The Green was looking great and it was a pity the cricket didn't live up to it.
The Warriors won at a canter and the two full time Irish cricketers Stusrt Thomoson with bat and ball and Andy McBrine with the ball and in the field were the outstanding performers on show. McBrine leads by example in the field and his diving catch in the covers would have had the TV cameras running it over and over again .
A decent but probably disappointing crowd considering how nice a night it was and it was after 6pm before any semblance of people came in. Would starting at 5.30pm be a better idea?
These occassions are great for catching up with other cricket people you only see at events like these.
While the game was going on North Down's Friday night Kwik Cricket was happening on the top ground and from the numbers at that and the investment in improving the car park the Comber men don't look like a club feeling sorry for themselves .
From a Knights perspective it was a night to forget in all three disciplines.
Roll on the next inter pro.

You miss my point Terry. I was pointing out the imbalance of financial provision over the three major projects. Ravenhill £15m, Windsor £18 and Casement £62m. £1m to cricket could assist with, for example, grants for ground equipment. We here about 'work going on behind the scenes' so perhaps this is an area that could be focussed on.

yes andy we need more money for trips to spain for the northern knights some of them boys look pale a wee break in the sun would do them good the rich get richer the poor just concede matches lol

It was revealing to see on last night's Spotlight how the DCAL money was divided for the stadia improvements in Belfast with the lion's share going to the Casement Park project. I wonder if the Unions, both NCU and NWCU, have made any approaches to MLAs for allocations for cricket. I am aware that Alan Murray's FoI request didn't reveal too much coming our way.

As always Caleb hits the nail right on the head. Well said buddy.

Hi Ivan,
That structure is what Cricket Leinster have in place with 16 leagues of approx 8 teams in each. Clubs/teams simply get promoted / relegated each year along with a variety of re-classifications where they need to promote teams up or down to ensure they are at the appropriate level.
There is a differentiation in affiliation fees and a concept of junior/senior membership but this is more related on allowing smaller clubs in the lower divisions to pay a reduced fee.
The divisional structure works well and enables first teams in 1/2 team clubs to play against a variety of opposition each week not just other smaller clubs.
The problem of not being able to field a team is an unfortunate one and the divisional structure will not solve it but may assist clubs over the longer term in a more merit based league structure.
Facilitating a more accommodating policy on re-arrangements in such circumstances perhaps enabling reduced over midweek re-arrangements in lower divisions may assist in ensuring all league matches get played, albeit with all such rule tweaks they need properly thought through to ensure they dont get exploited by clubs.

Don't see much criticism on here regarding our cricket union, and certainly none from me ! As I've often said, a fine organisation run by dedicated, professional folk who have our own and our clubs best interests at heart, and like our superb umpires, are at the very least, deserving of our full support and respect!

But what you will quite often hear me carp on about in some form or another is You ?

Yes You....you read it right! The individual who's packed it all in or perhaps considering it? Can't be bothered anymore, maybe you've played at the top level and decided you're not going to humble yourself, lower your 'standards' as it were and play at a lower level where the crowds aren't as plentiful or grounds as fanciful to what you were once atoned too?

Or could it be that You were once even paid money to play cricket? A game that has provided so much for You in the past, but now at the ripe old age of 30 something or another, the offers aren't as lucrative as they once were?

Maybe no club wants to pay you any lolly at all? Sad state of affairs isn't it, getting older? After all, now you've achieved all you want why bother putting anything back into the game, or the club that once nourished and gleaned that early potential and formative talent?

And then there's those tireless coaches at club & union level, maybe even higher again, remember them ? Yes, the guys that put long, selfless hours into making You the player you became. And dear knows, they're probably still at it? Encouraging those screaming, pesky kids, yes just as you once were, who are now crying out for someone like You, to come along and volunteer to help them foster and learn the skills of the game in hope they too like You, will one day make something of themselves, make their mums & dads proud, cause both have they've tried so hard to give their 'wee Jimmy' some sort of decent upbringing?

No, No.....You couldn't be bothered with all that heartache could you? Sure the golf course looks much more appealing doesn't it ?

Well, if it is You I'm referring too? Despite your obvious glorious past, I wouldn't get too swell or big headed about one's self if I were,You ? Take a wee peak a post or two below and inwardly ingest the exploits of a certain 'Robbie Streat' and then mull over this one final prevailing question I'd like to pose You?

If God forbid, I ever had to climb out over the trenches under heavy gunfire, do You know who I'd want running alongside me, shoulder to shoulder?

Afraid you don't even come a worthy 2nd !

Clarence it's great to read you are back in Headquarters. No the fault is certainly not anything to do with the UC who offer a great forum for people to air their views.
Since that last post I have read an article by Alistair Bushe in the News Letter having a go at the Northern Knights selection policy.
I think Alistair does a great job for cricket but I just can't get the whole " let's knock the Knights thing". We have just come out of two games with the "invincible" Leinster Lightining on the plus side of two draws, we have witnessed James Shannon mature and probably be captain for seasons to come , we have seen a young wicketkeeper emerge from a Section One club , young Mulder bowled 30 overs of leg spin in Dublin at less than two an over,
The Knights must be the most knocked team ever. Lets get behind them. There's a T20 at Comber on Friday night . Remember the selectors aren't cricketing nobody's . Robin Haire and Ryan Eagleson know cricketers when they see them. Picking teams is everyone's favourite pastime but these guys do it for real . Are there two other guys in the NCU who have watched more cricket at Premier League level in the last ten years ? How about us getting behind the team they pick and make the players feel proud to be representing the NCU.

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 )