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I see that Ulster Schools lost heavily to the southern school....perhaps "old Ulster schools player" has a point after all. Sack the selectors and bring this person on.....if we knew who they were........ Cmon old Ulster schools player, reveal yourself!!!!!

Great to see John Matchett score 80 today, albeit in a losing cause, for the U19 Ulster Schools against Southern Schools, proving Louis from Instonians completely wrong!

Does anyone consider it poor taste for anonymous posters to criticise school pupils?

have seen both young men this season v MCC and in my humble opinion I think that you Matchie has the temperament for captaincy.

I think paddy park would make a better captain, captain of Campbell and far more experience with Ulster schools, surely a better player and better choice as captain?

Louis, I have watched young John very closely at Belmount and he reminds me of a young Sachin Tendulkar. He is very deserving of his place and comes from a good cricketing family, grandfather Jack, same name as my Dad.

Seen paddy park was playing today, as campbell college captan and has a lot of Ulster school experience surely he would be a better choice? Craig?

Billy Dobbin

Billy can you email me direct at clarence@caribbeanmortgages.com as your emails are bouncing back?
Many thanks.

HQ

Really Louis???? Best player on the list for me, think a lot of people would agree.

Hi was wondering how John matchett was picked for the Ulster schools team never mind captain? Hes a good lad don't get me wrong but I don't think he's just at this standard yet, opinions?

GRAHAM CUP FINAL

The final this year will be between Ballymena and CSNI, and will take place this Friday (26th) hosted by Holywood CC at Seapark with a 4pm start. This year's final has been kindly sponsored by Dale Farm.
Congratulations to both teams.

Hi folks,

Just a quick follow up message re the Grasshoppers cricket tour next Easter to Barbados.

Places on the tour have nearly been snapped up, but we have a few spots still avail for cricketers who would like to tour. Also, for anyone wishing to come along as an umpire, scorer, or alakadoo, then please also feel free to contact me.

Dates are 19th March-29th March 2016. For those that are working, it would mean 5 days annual leave.

We are staying in an all inclusive resort too, so all food & drink is free whilst there. (Last tour the party saved a fortune with all inclusive option!) We will have 4 games of cricket plus a tape ball game organised. Tour kit will also be provided. Looking at £1900 all in.

Anyone still interested from any club, please drop me an email asap as slot are filling up very quickly.

Neil

Dear Katie Hopkins from Stormont

I am more than happy to explain our rationale to you if you call or email. I'll even meet you for coffee. Perhaps then, you can tell our committee how to do our volunteering better. Maybe also you can also explain to all Senior 1 cricketers what you define as a decent standard of knowledge of cricket.

Perhaps you can give the benefit of your extensive knowledge of Schools cricket (and your extensive top level playing pedigree as well), which must be greater than the collective wisdom of the Schools' Cup winning coaches of the last 3 years, all of whom were involved in the decision making process.

Maybe you could shed light to the audience on who you feel merited inclusion, how they did at the trial, the Schools' Cup or indeed in the School year generally or maybe you can remain behind your laptop and offer unconstructive criticism of the decisions of people who are volunteering their time to develop cricket.

Finally, maybe you can refuse to give your ideas any credibility by not substantiating with any evidence or even being confident enough to let us know you are!

Yours on behalf of the Schools' Committee

Mark Shields

One ex Irish International (who wasn't there) plus three others who as I said have never played at a high level of cricket !playing 10plus years each doesn't mean you have ever played at a decent standard !

Perhaps the anonymous criticiser of those who volunteer unpaid to select and take Ulster Schools would give me a ring on 07916 123000 and I will listen to any grievances about who made and didn't make the U19 Ulster Schools team along with a list of reasons or constructive feedback!

To clarify the criticisms on eligibility: Those who are Under 19 on 1 July 2014 and still at school.

On the composition of the volunteers who picked the side. A group of 4 people (one of whom is an ex-Irish international and all are senior cricketers with 10+ years experience) picked the side

Of course, perhaps alternatively to calling to ascertain what more our son/friend etc. could have done, we could criticise volunteers from a position of anonymity from our computer!