Forum

Sorry Caleb but I must take issue, to a degree, with your comment about the Test umpires who seem to have abandoned "calling" no balls. A few instances of batsmen being recalled "on review" of overstepping - and by a distance in some cases. I can't believe that the bowler only overstepped when a wicket was taken.

Excellent email Mr. Boomer and not a rhyme in sight. We all recognize the complaints and criticism are from a minority but they still have place in any healthy debate. The key to understanding their place is balance as I suspect for every complaint there are hundreds of compliments never said or posted. The good guys need to air their appreciation more often. I know we are not identifying the NCU top brass specifically, but if everyone knew the unpaid time and commitment devoted to promoting and developing local cricket by Messrs. Andy Clement, Alan Waite et al they might think 'thank you' and 'well done' were the appropriate words required to keep a balance. Nothing is perfect and Ivan's suggestions are very positive, but I suspect the silence will be deafening in some quarters!
If there's a problem let's try and fix it and more forward.

Ivan,

Who was it that famously said, ' You can please some of the people some of the time but not all of the people all of the time' ?

Despite your obvious concerns, I would confidently say that the vast majority of players/members from the senior leagues right down through all the junior leagues are very content and satisfied with the running, structures and rules set out and governed by the Northern Cricket Union.

Every member of the NCU who holds office is deserving of our utmost respect, gratitude and support for the hard work and effort they put in keeping such a large organisation up and running with professionalism and no little amount of due diligence.

And besides, we're long enough in the tooth to know darn well that even in a perfect world, there'd always be some old whinger or griper who does 'duck all' but sit by the side lines and shout 'we haven't a clue and it was all far better in their day' !

On a seperate note, anyone notice how the umpires during the Ashes series excelled themselves and hardly got a call wrong as DRS clearly highlighted to the obvious delight of the players and commentators alike.

Superb indeed, and likewise, although our own umpires don't have the benefit or need for such technical electronics, the next time you don't get an LBW or supposed nick behind, I'd be very confident the umpire's got it right, so just move on and bowl the next ball!

Having attended two cricket matches this weekend for the first time this season due to family issues I was " confronted" with various opinions as to what was wrong with NCU cricket.
I have also seen various posts on social media airing the opinion that the Union gets this that and the other all wrong from the Cup final to the fixture schedule the Inter Pros etc etc.
Well surely NOW is the time for all those not happy to sort it out.
Firstly check out your " view" is the view of your club . If so get them to table a motion for the upcoming AGM. Then lobby others to support your club's motion.,
Secondly for those critising the a Union officials put your name forward for election . ( I saw one social media post where a recently retired player was critical of the Senior Cup arrangements and Andy Clement the NCU Chairman invited this person to " put his name for one of the committee's yet as of yesterday this person hadn't " accepted Andy's invitation).
So with the end of the season only a month away and AGM only 8 weeks ago get these proposals down on paper. The NCU is not a faceless operation it is a series of committees elected by the clubs ( including yours).
So if it's - early starts , no reserve date for the Senior Cup final , T20 played over weekends , ten team leagues , less cup competitions , STOP TALKING and START WRITING (your club backed proposal) , START LOBBYING and if any individual genuinely believes they can perform better than those in office - Get your name AND proposals in NOW.

Congratulations to North Down on winning the O'Neils Ulster Cup.

BumperDale, I think it is time you retired to give the rest of us a chance of promotion, Well done on gaining promotion #notbitter lol

As I drove home from yesterday's game for just a few moments I contemplated was today's game the perfect one for announcing my retirement from playing the game.
Opened the batting- top scored with 41, took 2 catches and 5 wickets to ensure victory and promotion!
BUT THAT THOUGHT SOON PASSED!

MAYBE WHEN I SCORE MY FIRST 100!!!!!!!
LIKE CRICKET - NO I LOVE IT!!!!

Watched Carrick v inst yesterday at middle road and must say a great day out. Credit to the Carrick club they have great facilities and the first eleven seem to have a great spirit about them pulling off a great win.

Glad to hear that Pip's dad is still getting out & about to games and knowing him as the absolute gentleman that he is I am sure that he would be shocked by the events, as posted. The umpires' report might be interesting !!

After all the stick CIYMS are getting it was great to see that they are only team in the league playing without a professional. I think a lot of teams could take a leaf out of their book! Cricket the way it is supposed to be. Also 6 players who were under the age of 22 in the firsts I'm informed. Maybe now some other clubs need a good hard look at how they go about their own selection.

I have to agree that net run rates should be published from week 1 and updated on a weekly basis when all official scorecards are received. This could be done by creating a straight forward formula on a spreadsheet to automatically calculate the NRRs.

rules will always be pushed to their limits but i find it hard to acknowledge a team can gain an advantage by not fulfilling a fixture the season is not over yet this was not rain affected but null and void due to a certain team not agreeing a rearangement date thus guaranteeing promotion i hope someone sees sense

Just back from the Drumaness v Cregagh 1st XI game and I just had to post something on the forum for the first time ever. A hard fought and competitive game was deservedly won by Drumaness, who bowled exceptionally well, but the scene at the end of the game was nothing short of disgraceful. At the fall of the last Cregagh wicket the Drumaness skipper proceeded to run from the wicket across to where the Cregagh players and supporters were gathered and shout 'you can all f*ck off, just f*ck off' and point aggressively.

I've been playing the game for a number of years now and have never witnessed such a display of aggression directed at both players and supporters.

I headed down today to Drumaness with my father (an experienced retired umpire) and two sons (a 6 year old and 9 year old) with the aim of relaxing and watching a good game of cricket.on a Saturday afternoon. Its fair to say the afternoon, and to a large degree the game of cricket, was heavily tarnished by the display I witnessed.

I've always enjoyed playing at Drumaness but I'm afraid my opinion has now changed. As for my two sons I think its fair to say that they will never being going there again.

How did local cricket get to the stage that clubs don't want promotion?
Money is killing the game and reduced overs and early starts won't change that (indeed the early starts will if anything reduce income for clubs with bar facilities )

The NCU leagues are all reaching the very interesting stage of the season but yet again those determined by run rates are not yet visible to teams. I appreciate this may be dependent on the latest scorecards etc but surely this could be overcome by disclosing the rates relevant up to a certain date. If I am correct we could have the scenario in senior 3 tomorrow of two teams tied on 40 points and no one knows who has won the league! I'm sure both are happy with promotion but surely as an organisation we can do better than this. In section 2 there are 4 teams involved for the 2nd promotion spot Laurelvale, Saintfield, Holywood , Cregagh (that's assuming Armagh don't implode). Section 1 has its running battle between Muckamore, Derriaghy ,Woodvale, Downpatrick and it would be nice to know if any of these teams could in anyway make up/ keep any run rate difference. There are also issues in most leagues with relegation. Lisburn , Ballymena, Carrickfergus, Cliftonville,Donaghcloney, Templepatrick, Victoria, Dundrum. All teams need to win their fixtures but there was a team relegated recently over a couple of runs over the course of a season - just be good to have some idea. If some teams can lose a fixture over not having a D/L printout quick enough - the organisers of the leagues should be up to speed