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a real nailbiter at moylena today a game that was played in the right spirit by both teams a special thanks to the umpires for standing in the rain a fitting end to the season but i would like to see the ncu show more emphasis on supporting the struggling clubs in the agm because without them where do we expect our next crop of young lifeblood appear from
congratulations to Muckamore 3rds on winning the league today. needing 196 to beat woodvale they were reduced to 106-9 but a spirited innings from their captain and some impressive hitting from their big number 11 saw them home in the last over. well done
I've been very fortunate in my career and am luckily still involved in a playing capacity - although 8/10 games a year. I'm currently involved with Laurelvale and whilst only playing about 8 games this year every one has been meaningful. My Dad was a Laurelvale man and had always asked me to play at at least a season at the club - at aged 41 and well after his death I took notice. This is a provincial club with true club men integral to its success. I am proud to have played here and my Dad was right in saying you'll enjoy the Vale- now I'm lucky to have lifted a Senior cup but if the boys manage to get promotion tomorrow it will feel every bit as good and regardless Lee Edgar with over 55 wickets this season deserves any and every accolade !
well done to Donacloney for "hanging in" Section 1 - great start to their 125th anniversary in 2016
Interesting statement from NWCU that Brigade will not take part in a play-off and that Coleraine will be awarded the trophy by default. Terrible way to end a season although run rate would have sorted it out without the play-off had it been in place.
Can someone tell us why Brigade won't play in the play-off?
Could I just pass on - on behalf of Ballymena 2nd XI - a huge thank you to Carrick Cricket Club for their setting up of a celebratory drink for our players after they had secured the Junior 2 title with a victory over the Middle Road club's Seconds.
It was an extremely generous act after a hard fought title decider and leads me to wonder how many other clubs would have done the same.
I would also like to pass on my congratulations to Carrick 2nds as they were our nearest challengers this summer and this after only winning promotion from Junior 3 the previous year.
Keep up the good (and sporting) work.
Really nice to hear that Neil, great sportsmanship from Carrick.
Matt
On paper with Ryan Haire and the pro we signed plus Neil Gill and Gary Nicholl and young Jay Hunter joining us it's understandable why people had us down as favourites however within the club that wasn't how we saw it. We consistently played 5 teenagers and I'm sure they will be better players next season. Young Sam Gordon scored over 400 runs and Calum Weir took over 20 wickets while Shane Henderson got better as the season went on. We lost our pro through injury after 7 league games and while we could have replaced him it was decided to introduce another teenager Aditya Adey instead. Another year in Section One will help develop these young players but I think it's fair to say we will make a push in 2016 but I wouldn't be surprised if anyone of half a dozen clubs are thinking the same and all of them have a realistic chance.
Isn't it great though, when favorites don't win as expected and we get some surprises??
Ivan McCombe
Muckamore was the clear favorite to win the league at the start of the season. Derriaghy played well and deserved to win but neither them or Downpatrick were favourites.
Congratulations to Derriaghy on winning Section One and gaining promotion to the Premier League. When Muckamore beat them by nearly 200 runs in the first game of the season I'm sure neither side that evening thought that Derriaghy would emerge as champions. Looking at the teams pre season I would have made Downpatrick favourites to go up but their season never really got going.
Craig Lewis had a fantastic season but that wouldn't surprise anyone who has seen him play but it was a real team effort that saw them go on such a great run of victories (I think they lost only once in the last 14 league games).
Well done to a club who have worked hard at bringing through young players and who invest in both coaching and facilities and have done so for many years.
I think Section One in 2016 will be a really tight league with every team capable of beating each other. I think Ballymena with their mixture of players with plenty of Premier League experience and two or three very talented youngsters will be the slight pre season favourites.
Congratulations also to Waringstown on their Irish Senior Cup and Premier League success. They look a team without weakness and an age profile that could see them dominate for the next five years.
Big congrats to Waringstown! Great win
Congratulations to Waringstown on their great Irish Senior Cup win and also the NCU Senior League title. Big day in the club's colourful history and well deserved. Also, a big day for the NCU.
COMMON SENSE are the key words in your post Jeff! I certainly support separate voting but I know some clubs don't agree with this approach. Up until 1975 we had separate senior and junior committees and although the system was far from perfect it did recognize the different circumstances. I also agree the AGM needs a serious revamp as it is a dinosaur. Yes, we need the formal appointments and rule changes, but there is virtually no debate and discussion so delegates just go and vote. There is a place for the AGM to discuss all the issues you raise, but this website is a good starting point so let's hear from all the clubs or individuals on how they feel about starting times, number of overs, overseas pros et al. Not so long ago we had a few people suggesting we should bin the rulebook and start again. Maybe it's not that absurd. Food for thought.
Clarence do you agree that section 3 should vote for what the premier requires in overs and re arrangements and vice versa?Cricket needs move with the times as the AGM in my opinion is silly as every year lots clubs vote againest each other when its not in there interest its just bout a show of hands .
Id go with each section votes on what there club needs as then we would get what every club gets there needs from semi pro premier to the lower section that wants possibly 30/35/40 over games with one re arrangement being a T20 midweek or sunday. With no 22 day restriction as 99% clubs will get game replayed on date that suits them not forced on them as that would release lot more quality family life as well as take pressure of lot players and id bet get lot more extending there career .Early starts should only be when it suits both teams take the next couple weeks school rugby will stop lots great young players from playing cricket and that is a joke as if both teams want start later then COMMON SENSE should be used !
Looking at the premier league table with one game to go well done to North Down and Carrick who many people wrote off before the start of the season. North Down lost a lot of players and people thought they would struggle at the bottom end of the table but they have proved people wrong and things seem to be on the up at Comber.
Carrick winless in July have had a great end to the season with huge wins over Inst and ciyms so all credit to the middle road men. They seem to have a good mix of youth and experience and with a few more players could go from strength to strength.
