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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
sorry John I am aware of the cost to run a premier league club. Perhaps then I should say tens of thousands on much of what you have mentioned. I would agree that no section team wants to go up to get hammered most weeks.
Re Derrick
The harsh reality is that most if not all Premier League Clubs need tens of thousands to be able to survive in the Premier League when you take into account pros, fees, and general running costs of the club. Can't see many teams in Section 1 being excited by going up to the Premier League.
Wouldn't it be great to see tens of thousands of pounds still not winning a league! Cricket would be the winner then, although it's not over yet!
On the thoughts off section 1?? I don't watch a lot these days but Derriaghy seem to be doing a great job and from what I remember Lewis was a good player and only getting better from the looks of things and never had a mention to the Knights is there really that's my better in PL. than S1??
congratualtions to the PSNI on reaching the final of the PAA competition and good luck for Grace Road in early September - hard fought win over Durham/Cumbria at a sun-baked Newforge yesterday.
I must commend Edward Liddle's excellent review of the career of recently retired Ireland international Alex Cusack on the Cricket Europe website. Edward is an amazing and very thorough historian who has captured Alex's huge contribution in both spirit and detail. He may have operated behind the limelight of several of his peers, but he was an equal in everything he did with both bat and ball. Above all, he was a modest, quiet and unassuming, something that is rare in top performers these days.
Many thanks Alex for your massive contribution to Irish cricket down the years. "Well played that man."
New Tour Review for The Ulster Grasshoppers South Africa 1981/82 Tour Now live!
Find it in Ulster Grasshoppers>Tours.
Happy Reading!
Congratulations Waringstown on reaching the Irish Senior Cup Final. The Villagers beat Pembroke and will now play Merrion after they defeated Civil Service North in the other semi-final.
The final has been slated for 5 September at the Lawn and all NCU supporters should rally round our remaining representatives and support them in bringing the cup back north.
as a matter of fact section 2 would do, at one of the most picturesque grounds in the country... the meadow @Dundrum
2nds game at Woodvale was over 6 balls after i arrived at the ground today (we won easy) so decided to go to belmont to watch my 1st premier league game of the season, ci v north down. what a waste of time. the only atmosphere was a few half hearted rounds of applause from the north down players/supporters who seemed to out number the home support about 10 to 1. the outfield looked ready for the main sport played at the ground.(rugby) and the surroundings were, , , ,shabby to say the least. if that's premier standard give me section 1 any day
Enjoyed a wonderful evening of cricket at Shaw's Bridge on Friday
.
NCU u11 finals- Derriaghy v. Donacloney and Inst v Templepatrick.
Sunshine, big crowd of parents and supporters and a BBQ featuring ribeye steak!!!!
High quality cricket from talented youngsters.
Excellent organisation from NCU and Instonians CC.
Well done to all involved!
