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Jeff, not sure the length of games is the only issue. There are other factors like time travelling, conflict with schools, culture of the game, starting times etc etc. It's not fair to generalize as the growth of golf amongst younger players in the modern era is phenomenal. Indeed amongst families as well. We need to look at all the factors. And if two teams still want to play 40 overs there's always that option.
50 years down the line? The only thing we know with certainty is that we won't be here. LOL

ryan NO as we went to section one meeting even tho we were relegated. It was discussed at section two meeting and from what I was told the clubs can reduce if they want 40 overs? Think unless young players start wanting 50 overs its madness in lower sections since we joined NCU 50 years ago over 20 teams have quit and ill bet in another 50 years it will be similar ? Kids have far to many sports that are shorter and I just think it should be 40 overs.

Jeff, did Dundrum propose the reduction of Section 2 to 40 over games?

I was saddened to hear about the passing away of my friend and colleague Judith Hewitt. She was an inspiration to us all and I feel that cricket has lost a great woman who brought so much to the game and was a pleasure to score with. The fun and humour was quite rare at times but you felt that scoring was an exciting day out when you were with Judith. I know that we have lost a lady who promised much and to Jonathan and family I pass on my most sincere sympathy and my thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Yes, very sad about Judith. She was a lovely person and fought a long and brave fight against impossible odds.
Sincere condolences to Johnny and her family and friends.

CIYMS looking at some new faces with Johnny Thompson top of their list. Other names include Zach Rushe and Ryan Eagleson as player/Coach.

it is with sorrow that I learn of the death of Judith Hewitt and I extend my sincere sympathy to Jonny and the family circle.

Well said Davy Greenlees!

I would like to thank the NCU and in particular Ally McCalmont for the fantasy cricket competition, I know I may be slightly biased, but the idea and in particular to include players outside the premier league created great interest and hopefully next year might also include section 4, if possible.

The NCU deserve huge credit for their recent efforts to promote and develop local cricket, sponsorship deals with PWC, Cartwright Sports and the Sunday Life, along with the more established league and cup sponsors provide financial and promotional opportunities that can only benefit all players and highlight the work done behind the scenes by Andy Clement and his team.

Finally I would also like to thank Wylie McKinty for his efforts and committment in populating the Website so accurately and expediently, he must never go out!

Just a reminder of a huge night of darts at downpatrick cricket club next weekend. It's not very often you get a chance to see van gerwen and Barney up close and personal

Tickets on sale NOW, follows us on www.facebook.com/downpatrickdarts £40 VIP, 16 lucky VIP tickets holders will get the chance to play the professionals, meet and greet, table service and as close to the action as possible, after party entrance, gold tickets £25 seated only, if interested contact 07783407597 or 07708617144

I haven't been on here in ages. In response to the post about schoolboys not coming through the system I agree and disagree. I coach in a cricket playing school and some of the players are decent with potential for playing at a good standard for a club. What I have found is that the ones who are really interested and motivated do play club cricket (we have 4 1st XI players who came through school cricket in the last 2 or 3 years). The big problem is that a lot of the best players are rugby players too and indeed most of my own clubs first XI are (or in some cases were!) rugby players. School rugby these days appears to be second only to breathing and the players are so drained by the rugby season that by the time the summer term comes around they just want to relax, and have an easy summer term before rugby starts up again in July!!!! They certainly don't want to play school cricket in the morning and club cricket until early evening because they've already had sport overload for most of the year. School cricket should be played midweek - most games are 20/25 overs anyway. That could allow earlier Saturday start times for club cricket and may encourage more participation.

Memo to Mr C Boomer
Dont put the whites away just yet, you might be required to "help us decide" if we want to go to play at Stormont or Donaghadee next season, as we still have an important game left.

I would just like to than Lurgan for hosting our game with Templepatrick yesterday. It ensured that everything was decided on the pitch. I would also wish Holywood all the best in what was a ridiculously tight league this year.

Jason, Thanks for the reply.The relevance of my comments to your previous posting is that you were complaining about players playing at a higer level/team but then dropping down to more junior teams ie 1sts to 2nds. You dropped from 1sts to 3rds!! It also shows that sometimes things arent what they appear to be, as you have pointed out in your case, therefore we all need to bear this in mind when we comment on other clubs and what they do.

As yet another marvellous cricket season draws to a close, the many pre season permutations and predictions of the winners and losers on the field of play for 2014 have now been finally settled, and it would be impossible for a mere minion like me to pick out a team/club of the 2014 season, I'll leave that one to much more sagacious luminaries than I .

So if I may be so bold, I'd like to dedicate my end of season poem by way of a thank you to all the many diligent officials and committee members of our esteemed union who so professionally govern, run and show leadership by providing a platform for so many to play and enjoy the fine game, like wise the same to NIACUS for their ever competent and dedicated service, officiating and standing as umpires in the many games throughout the season, we all as players and supporters owe both professional organisations a huge debt of gratitude....

As the cricket season draweth nigh
summer swallows migrate and fly
players and officials heave a sigh,
then bid each other a sad goodbye

The great fraternity likewise comply
departing to homes, warm and dry
like hibernating bears preparing to lie,
within caves, safe from winter's chilling pry

Sated at last a craving to satisfy
a curiosity, encroaching wry
incessant in hunger like a fox sly,
now nourished in knowledge no more to vie

Victory secured, the trophy raised high
embellished on silver, their names testify
noble battles fought out on fields of rye,
big fish inevitability, consume small fry

As grey clouds gather in an Autumn sky
the falling leaf does not belie
gone the days of a balmy July,
willow v leather, cream with strawberries or apple pie

The laws of nature must apply
so summer flowers will fade then die
but wipe that tear from your eye,
no need for sorrow or mournful cry

For as sure as a pig sleeps in a sty
father time marches forward, by and by
so the glorious bloom will return and multiply,
as shall the great fraternity to again soliloquy...

If around the silver, their mascot they’ll tie?