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Only 5 of the 18 teams that play in the senior 2 & 3 leagues do not have 2nd, 3rd eleven cricket teams etc.

So of the remaining 13 teams, I would have thought it a logical move if a 50 over match seems too long for a player from the remaining 13 senior teams, that they consider dropping down a league or two and play 40, 35, or even 30 over cricket for their respective club's junior teams ?

In an illustrious week when we all should be rejoicing and feel very proud of our little country's heroic sporting achievements on the world stage, and consider that in just a few months time our national cricket team will be mixing it with the very best in the world down under at the 2015 world cup, reducing the quality of local senior cricket matches does not bode well for the overall long term future of the game!

Trust me folks, the Cinderella syndrome is just a mythical fairy tale, neither you nor your Princess will turn into Shriek or the Wicket Witch if you don't get home before 6 pm every Saturday evening after a day's fun on the cricket field!

Totally agree with Jeff. All clubs have lads who eat, drink and live to play the game but we also have the lads who aren't going to make the top levels of the club and they are the ones we have to keep in the game. Early starts, meaning that they finish early will help. I also agree about schools cricket being played mid week rather than a Saturday, as the lads playing on a Saturday morning can see a 50 over game in the afternoon far enough. The kids are our future and we must do all that we can to keep them interested and enjoying the game. I have been dragged out of retirement over the past 2 weekends to help out and have thoroughly enjoyed the 2 games that I played at CSNI and Academy. Both games played in the right spirit, plenty of laughs, no contentious decisions and plenty of young lads to do the running around for me!!

ROY seen lot similar this year in seconds. DAVY D its all about opinions id say you in 10% who don't want early starts and ive RETIRED so makes no difference to me but ive talked to lots junior/u-15 and they all would prefer start at 11 and actually would rather play for CLUB and not school on sat as to long day play both . Schools no doubt be better played on wed after school but wont happen . The main reason Dundrum cc is 50 years in NCU this year and facts prove it has went from 58 to 38 clubs now in another few decades this will only get worse as the present young players will not stay in game as lots more to do now than when we started and there is no way to get kids join committees etc as most are involved in at least 2 of 3 other sports . NCU are doing there best by running the meetings to get what CLUBS want not individuals as even they realise that CRICKET is not thriving in every area or each club . The young players that make the TRIALS and firsts will no doubt be playing for 10/15 years but the 90% of others will not stay longer than 3 /5 years we all need to look at bigger PICTURE as we both love the game of cricket but lets try involve everyone and make our sport STRONGER NOT WEAKER .

roy I agree 100% I play in junior 3 and it is a disgrace why do they bother playing if they want to win that much that they have to cheat there is going to be a few words exchanged and I know a few people who would not hold back in saying what they think

R.E Roy Young cheating/gamesmanship

Totally agree, sometimes the biggest culprits are the most experienced players who seem to use their clubs games as some sort of ego trip. I have seen one caught behind incident in particular this season that just left me virtually speechless.

Teach the youngsters to play hard and fair, things are bad if you feel you cant shake hands at the end of any game.

After playing senior cricket for over 30 years and then stepping down to play junior cricket for my clubs 3rd eleven can I just say I am absolutely appalled at the disgraceful acts of cheating that is rife with many clubs ! The rules of the game are totally different - LBW's do not exist nor do caught behinds or run outs ! I have played on a successful team that is mixed with senior players on the way down and juniors players who are making their way in the game and we pride ourselves in teaching them how to play the game correctly ! My message to senior players who stand in the middle and blatantly cheat is DON'T - you are teaching young players the wrong way to play the game we all love ! Also if you stand in the middle and cheat don't be surprised when you get some abuse - you deserve all that you get and more !Nor should you expect us to shake your hand on the way off as if you have done no wrong - play by the rules and everyone will enjoy the game much more !

With regards to Jeff Maguire and Dundrum Cricket Clubs suggestion of 40 overs per side for Senior two, and Andys suggestion that all senior league games start at 11am from July on, & I know there is no certainty we would be playing in Senior two next year, I would find it illogical to be leaving home at 8am on the longest days of the year to play away at Larne or Donaghadee (depending on which league we are in) for 40 overs.

Jeff,

As you may or may not know Armagh CC proposed and I spoke on behalf of 40 over cricket for Section 2 at last years NCU AGM in a vote that was narrowly defeated. One of our senior players had made a point of asking a few of the senior players in each opposition over the 2013 season their opinions on the matter and there was general consensus that it would be something that would potentially improve the standard as well as shortening an already long day.
Unfortunately come the AGM a couple of clubs that spoke about their opposition were represented by committee men even though their senior players had said the opposite when we spoke to them.

Hopefully the NCU meeting on the 10th of this month for Section 2 and 3 clubs can get some useful proposals from the people that are playing that can potentially improve our game.

Hi Jeff

Interesting point, and it is something we have discussed. Just to provide a bit of background, in our last two games of the season the average of our 1st XI team was 20.8. All but 2 of the players on the field had come through our youth teams.

When asked about 50 over cricket the young lads response was luke warm at best, and dont get me wrong these lads love the game but times are changing and I for one was surprised by the response.

For what its worth and this is my own opinion not Cregagh CC, maybe 45 overs would suit better. Some people might think what difference does 5 overs make but for me personally I think this would soften the blow of going to 50 overs.

Im sure all the traditionalists will reply with the usual rhetoric about killing the game and in my day but this is where we are folks, do we innovate and move forward or stay still???

Re: Jeff Maguire

The NCU Chairman, Vice Chairman and Domestic Cricket Development Director are meeting with Section 2 and 3 clubs next Wednesday night to discuss various issues, so if there is any interest among clubs in reducing these leagues to 40 overs it could be discussed at that meeting.

R.E Jeff Maguire

Armagh proposed last year to cut Section 2 down to 40 overs after canvassing opinion from players in most other teams during the 2013 season. Then at the AGM it was knocked down by the club reps/administrators who surely should be finding out their players opinions and then vote accordingly.

Dundrum cc have proposed to NCU AGM that section two is 40 overs (trial for year see if clubs like the format ) id be very keen for all the clubs playing this sat in this section and larne and cregaghs OPINION so if possible ask the clubs on sat ? As great chance ask the players they are the ones that matter as in my opinion not enough consultation between players and its usually a voting farce at the agm .id even go step farther and get each club voting in each section for what there club requires to help the players stay in the game a lot longer .

Hi Jeff

Just one wee note our under 15s toured a while back. Its a great idea and the lads loved it.

You know us Cregagh lads we love a tour

I have to say I agree with John Stevenson's post up until his slight 'toy throwing' at the end. I fail to see how highlighting any clubs lack of basic facilities could be considered as playground behaviour. My own Club needs several obvious improvements but we are striving to rectify this ASAP, and there is no chance of us spending money on players at the expense of these improvements. Whilst we will all defend our own club to the hilt surely we can take on board a little criticism when it is warranted. The 'toilet' issue to which I referred has been ongoing ever since the ground was opened. I know plenty of good plumbers if John wants to contact me!!!

Fair enough Editor, perhaps I'd be better off just sticking to the poetry and not becoming embroiled and out of my depth in the politics and machinations of fine game at the higher levels?
( No such scenarios in junior league 9 )

Ps.. My sincere thanks for permitting my poetic scribbles about the game on the site here, surprising how many other websites have placed a most draconian curfew on my musings ? Much appreciated indeed !