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Dylan Hartley to captain England, James Shannon to captain the NCU. Who says nice guys never win?

Very enjoyable game of indoor cricket last night in Lisnaskea against Enniskillen CC.
I think that quite a few clubs could benefit from trying this format of the game during the "close season" even just to lessen the stiffness come April and to keep the banter between members going.
Oh and all the best to Kenny and co in trying to get Enniskillen up and running

An exciting cup final of 50 yrs ago, Downpatrick vs Lisburn, a real El Clásico of the time and a game any local cricket enthusiast would surely love to have been present at to savour and enjoy, though this one was well before my time. No pros or hired guns in this era, me thinks ?

As a footnote, great reading that Harry McCammond was involved, a prodigious cricketer in his day by all accounts.

Much later, Harry was my senior partner in my first ever official capacity as an umpire, Portadown v Armagh, a local derby and potentially a feisty encounter but Harry soon calmed any pre match anxieties through his relaxed manner and professional discourse and the rest as they say, " is history ! "

Down Memory Lane
As things are quiet over the winter months we have a good opportunity to delve into the archives. We are running some articles under this theme, but if you or your club has anything you want to highlight please send it to the website. 100 years ago there was very little cricket due to the Great War, and 75 years ago we were in the middle of the Second World War. 50 years ago in 1966 there was plenty happening in the Swinging Sixties and have we been allowed to forget? England won the football World Cup!

Thanks for the encouragement and trust me I am not going to give up!

In 2014 the we played 12 league games
In 2015 they played 10
In 2016 only 8 were set last night.
Friendlies are all very well but nothing beats competitive league matches.

I understand the problems re selection, availability and grounds issues that others have, but why enter teams if they either cannot or will not play games?
If clubs can't fulfil fixtures then let them lose the points and let those clubs that do wish to play do so! Also, those of us who wish to play more are now punished because of those who don't want to.

Mike
Jacob Mulder is NOT “only coming back as he is getting paid”. Jacob lived with us for the last few weeks of last season and it was an absolute pleasure to get to know him and the family when they came to visit.
On the field he quickly developed into one of the teams main players and thrived on that responsibility becoming one of the league’s top performers. This has put him back on the radar of Knights selectors and he wants to build on this.
Off the field he made many new friendships in Comber with a bunch of guys his own age and they had a laugh. I know they already have a few things planned for when he comes back.
In these days when cheque books are being waved about we are in danger of losing the fun and friendship side of the game. It’s not all about money.

Regretfully, the 9 teams in JL9 this year will only be playing each other once in the league, amounting to a paltry 8 league games in total
Despite a belated appeal on here yesterday, and my best efforts to argue to the contrary, a few clubs reps were more vocal in arguing against playing more games... even against the same structure as last year that would have seen 2 more games added in a grouping system, let alone playing each other home and away. I had actually arranged h+a games with 3 other clubs before it was 'decided' to stick to playing but once. Some others were willing to try but some just point blank said no.
Most disappointing was the dismissive attitude, and the refusal to even discuss or try to arrange more games...Surely the more cricket we play the better?

Clarence, as a CI member at the time Carl played for us there were many other factors involved. I don't want to go into them as it is unfair but it's easy as usual to have a pop at CI. Suffice to say that John Matchett is homegrown and Ted has been fully committed to CI for a few years.

Interesting to hear Carl's thoughts, from the 'horse's mouth' to coin a phrase and fair play to him for sharing them with us! Very encouraging to hear the lad's doing well at Cregagh C.C. and most importantly, enjoying his cricket!

But his honest and innocent reasoning throws up a rather irritating 'elephant in the room' quandary which I feel must be addressed !

Of the seven players named from his previous club who were obviously detrimental to his chances of regular 1st team cricket, how many were born, raised and played their cricket at Belmont Rd ?

Answers on a postcard please ?

arron k you cant put a first eleven which plays in section 3 in the intermediate cup as they would be playing against some clubs 3rd eleven bit unfair and to those who have posted about mulder he is only coming back as he is getting paid

Thanks for your quick reply carl! would be glad to see you back in the premier leauge as in my opinion you should be on the knights list.

one of the best young talents going around...

Re Ryan James

I'm now playing my cricket at Cregagh in section 2, and loving it! Great club!

Left CIYMS at the start of last summer, as too many spinners Cameron Dow who was exact same action as myself, Rassie van set dussan, Trevor Britain and John Matchett all already in the 1sts. To add to a bowling attack of Stevie Dunn, Johnny Thompson and Nigel Jones.

Really enjoying my cricket in a very young and talented team at cregagh with an average age of 21 / 22 with a few oldies dragging the average up. Aiming for promotion into section 1 this year. Mon the ducks.

Brendan,
It shouldn't matter which club a player comes from if he's good enough. The fact that four of the players come from the two strongest teams means they must be useful to hold their places. I'm sure some of the current Knights players would struggle to get on the Waringstown or CI teams. Mulder did well in a North Down team that is rebuilding, but if there's better out there let's have some names. These five aren't too shabby to start with.

I have watched a bit of cricket in the NCU last season and have found Ryan James's comments rather interesting. From the players that he has named as the 'young' rising talent in the competition, the only ones who i believe will be up to the task of playing for the Northern Knights this coming season are both Waringstown lads!

Matchett & Johnston havent performed well enough to be in frame.

Mulder isnt quite good enough in his own back yard, i dont agree he is ready/good enough to take the next step.

nothing personal on any of the young boys but thats just my thoughts, thanks

re- andy kennedy

overnight i have reflected on my comments and believe they were a little strong.

the NCU itself has some decent young players coming through, including Dennison, Mulder, Matchett, mccollum & johnston. the real question for me is who out of this young group of players can step up and play for the Knights this year (3 of them already doing so).

P.s. i assume Mulder is returning and will try to play for ireland... if good enough?