Forum

Ozzie.
Clogher, Dungannon, Monaghan and Taverners cc (Portadown) already play in the border league T20 competition. It's a decent standard of cricket, probably similar to section 3.
This season past every single game was played, no walkovers, no void games and no matches awarded.
Taverners cc topped the league and beat Monaghan in a very tight and exciting final. There might be another two teams playing in the competition next season.

The two "Q" words come to mind quality vs quantity.

Junior 9 now has two teams from the same club in it...how about some of these players go and play for a club who are struggling to field 2 or maybe 3 teams everyweek..yes there will be people who say well done to that particular club for promoting cricket but we all know the purpose of it...MONEY!!

The NCU needs a total overhaul in my opinion..more interested in getting numbers rather than the quality of the cricket played...the clubs are to blame also..MONEY!! more teams = more players= more money for the club which will be used to pay for some overated pro !!...I have always said that if any Premier league club or section 1 club is paying a pro then all members of the team should be paid...

The league structure needs a complete overhaul...Premier league should be minimum 10 teams..put teams from section 2 into section 1 and then teams from section 3 into 2....this will leave some teams in section 3 who are not interested in moving to a higher league so create a new "taverners / Social league"..encourage teams such as Portadown / Clogher to join...

More teams will = more walkovers ....last year I believe there was 28 in the junior leagues ...this will increase.

The NCU need to get back to basics and get some younger ( idealistic ) people on the board..far too many dinosaours..

RE Andy

Incredible pitches indeed - great for TV but not for the development of the 5 day format of Test cricket!
Although some of the sub-continent pitches do "settle" after day 2 at times.

incredible pitches in India. Game almost over in 2 days. 20 wickets in one day! Is that what Test cricket is about?

In keeping with the theme that cricket is alive and well and with the fact that this site is called The Ulster Cricketer and not only The NCU Cricketer, I am copying a post from the North West Cricket Union Facebook page. This is happening in late November.

The last few days has seen Indoor Schools Cricket Competitions at Castle Park, Limavady and Bready Indoor Centre and tomorrow at Artigarvan Community Hall.
Some great cricket played by all schools involved!!

More good news for NCU cricket. The following new teams have been entered for the 2016 season . I think this is proof again if proof is ever needed that by increasing coaching at youth level , in schools and promoting cricket positively that we will get more and more people playing.

Welcome Newforge 2nds , Instonians 6ths , Templepatrick 4ths and Waringstown 5ths

I also don't see the problem with being paid. If people are giving up their Saturday/Sunday to score - I guess that's time they could spend with family etc..... you know. Not many people voluntary offer their services in today's age.

I know Jonathan did not mention pay but let's hear from you all...... does your club 'pay' your scorer????

payment for scorers? What's the problem with that? Sitting in a score box (some of which are not fit for purpose) for upwards of 7 or 8 hours while, in some instances, keeping a tally highly paid players? If you don't ask you don't get! I see no problem - a workman is worth his labour.

Payment was never mentioned in my posting and I would state that like any scorer out there payment never crosses my mind. You score because you enjoy the game and money is something for players to discuss if they wish to. Any sniping comes from people who show their ignorance and have no respect for others. I would like to make it clear that I have not sought payment as a scorer nor see it as a requirement of going to any club.

Re : Scorers being paid

Market forces involved in todays cricket. If players are paid why not scorers?

PS Jonathan (Buggy) Lyttle is top guy

This is a post from the Donaghadee Cricket Club Facebook page. Another good news story that shows yet again that cricket is far from dead. Well done to Donaghadee but also to those within the NCU providing these coaching courses.

4 more club players have become coaches today! Big thanks to luke, Keith, Marty and Greg for giving up your free time to get qualified. The clubs future looks excellent. This time last year we had no coaches and no youth section. A year on we now have 10 coaches, have coached over 300 local children, are starting u11+u13 teams and we run the best kwik cricket scheme around! Thanks to everyone who has made this possible.

Anyone know the date of the NCU cup final next year? it's not on the NCU site yet.

Are you serious, we now have professionals into score

j lyttle how much would u cost before I name my club I have played while u have scored and I know u well so name the price

Just want to offer my services as a club scorer for the 2016 season. Many will know that I have scored at all levels and have done so since 1994 when I was asked by Denis Guy to stand in for the late great Bothwell Vennard. I have enjoyed many ups and downs and the highlight of my career has been able to meet so many different people from across the cricket world. I am willing to listen to any offers and my email is jonathan.lyttle@nihe.gov.uk