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Just in after attending an excellent Lagan Valley Steels T20 Bowl final, congrats to winners Drumaness Super- Kings on both their cup win and hosting an entertaining finals day.
Encouraging to see such a large crowd watching, engrossed in the match, indeed with both the local press and NCU hierarchy in attendance, overall it must be said, a superb day, cricket very much alive & well and long may the game continue to prosper especially so after emerging from such a restrictive, country/community crippling pandemic!
Ps.. Both umpires 10/10, on a personal note only one criticism, I couldn't be part of the team on field, ( past it now) but I sure made up for that yelling my little heart out with every boundary and wicket..
Kudos & cheers NCU !!

Hi Ed
You must not have received the other posting I sent re Womens Cricket situ if not please let me know as I have a copy of it ready to be sent and not Monaghan, Clogherhead beside the sea

Sorry to learn of the passing of Reggie McNALLY (umpire) and also donacloney past player Nigel Clarke sympathy to both families at this sad time

Dear Ed
With the 50 over Interprovincial Title going to Leinster for the 8th year in a row it seems the balancing by Cricket Ireland to send players to other sides seems not to have worked at all but only show that Leinster could field 2 sides and still win in some cases.
I have been impressed by the form of Andy Balbirnie, George Dockrell and Barry McCarthy for Leinster and Paul Stirling, Jeremy Lawlor and Luke Georgensen for Northern Knights and Andy McBrine, Graham Hume and a rejuvenated Stuart Thompson and for Munster Murray Commins, Greg Ford and Tyrone Kane.
So with the 50 overs now wrapped up will the T20s head to Malahide aswell but as a Leinster fan I would say yes. But that is all to come as their is still 3 50 over matches and a World Cup Super League 3 match series away to Netherlands between now and then
Onto the Season so far in the NCU and CSNI seems to be favourites for the T20 Cup but CIYMS will be hot on their heels. I cant see Carrickfergus and North Down keeping up the pace but stranger things have happened in sport whilst the others have been inconsistent, Woodvale seem to be the whipping boys of the comp and the longer format to come seems it will be the same in every aspect.
The NWCU region difficult to say as its the T20 comp and with some of the big names in the quarter finals then we will judge who is going to rule the roost but a word of sympathy goes to St Johnston based in Co. Donegal not being able to play until the 7th of June (a completed embarrassment on behalf of my Government and this has rarely been said out of my mouth since its inception in 1998 but the Northern Executive has got it right with their vaccine roll out programme) a shame for the region but maybe fresh legs will suit them as the 50 over League and Cup starts on 12th June.
To all at UlsterCricketer Forum stay safe and to all get the vaccine it will save your life and you and all of us will see better days ahead even Ireland winning a Test Match and a World Cup someday. And enjoy the spectating again with a glass of cold beer of like me a non drinker a cup of tea with a slice of cake.

MTB NORTHERN KNIGHTS NAME 13-MAN SQUAD FOR INTER-PROVINCIAL CUP CLASH AGAINST MUNSTER REDS
MTB Northern Knights Head Coach Simon Johnston has named a 13-man squad to face Munster Reds in Dublin on Thursday.
There is one change from the washed-out match against North West Warriors at Bready last Friday. Seamer Matthew Foster returns, replacing Carl Robinson.
Harry Tector will captain the side and be joined by fellow Irish internationals Mark Adair, Graeme McCarter and Paul Stirling. The quartet have been named in Ireland’s squad to play the Netherlands in the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League in Utrecht next month.
Thursday’s match has been switched from The Mardyke, Cork to Pembroke Cricket Club, Dublin due to unforeseen weather conditions.
Speaking ahead of Thursday’s match against Munster Reds, Johnston said: “The upcoming game is huge for us – there’s no doubt about that.
“Munster Reds have a lot of talented players who can pose a threat with both bat and ball. We’ll definitely have to be at our best if we are to win the match.
“It’s great to have Matthew Foster back in the side after missing the last match. He will bolster our seam attack and bring something extra to the team.”
MTB NORTHERN KNIGHTS SQUAD TO FACE MUNSTER REDS:
Harry Tector (c), Mark Adair, Matthew Foster, Luke Georgeson, Matthew Humphreys, Jeremy Lawlor, John Matchett, Graeme McCarter, James McCollum, Ruhan Pretorius, Neil Rock, Paul Stirling, Ben White

Dear Ed
It has been a while since my last posting but here it goes anyway.
My main reasoning for the post is the Womens side of the sport. As always full of live scores and scorecards produced by the clubs of Mens matches but little or nothing from the Womens matches to date and if you look back at some of my previous postings it has been a bug bare of mine for years now especially in the NCU area. Though one aspect is that of the clubs reporting on matches via sites such as Lurgan who produce a good report and the Cricket Europe Ireland site along with NWCU of which I shall come onto in the next paragraph
The NWCU did provide a service for 2018 and 2019 via the ill fated Cricket Ireland App and scores are still available, but in 2020 the matches were not done especially when spectators could not attend it seemed strange. I thought in 2021 with the NWCU signing with CricClubs scoring the situation would be rectified but no, disappointing to say the least

The LCU areas matches have and will be live scored and in some cases a streaming service by the clubs occurs on a match night predominantly Thursdays. And even some 2nd, 3rd and 4th are covered by the afore mentioned CricClubs and via twitter and the Cricket Leinster Web Site
2020 was supposed to be the year of the Womens sport across the island of Ireland so why in every other sport provides live scores of their leagues and cups that Cricket is being left behind in this regard.
Lets hope the situation can be found for stats nerds like me and the Ireland selectors can see the likes of Hannah Grieve, Cara Murray and Alison Cowan in the NWCU Zara Craig, Jemma Rankin and Alana Dalzell and others so they can be picked on not just hear say.
Sorry for the rant just as I said a bug bare of mine for years

Hello NCU.
I would like to trace a photo of my son Vivek Tohani taken in 2003 I think. It’s with a write up on his cricket achievement titled
Indians are hot stuff......
The report is written by a certain Robin Walsh, however I don’t even know which newspaper it was.
I would like a fresh copy as the one I have the newspaper cutting is aged and slightly torn.
Please would you be kind enough to contact me, you have my email address but a WhatsApp message or phone call would be most appreciated.
My mobile:-
07732745714
Regards and many thanks
Prem Tohani

COMBER – Irish international Paul Stirling smashed a 21-ball half-century to launch the Northern Knights’ 5-wicket victory over table-topping Leinster Lightning in the Inter-Provincial Cup match today at North Down Cricket Club.
Player of the Match Stirling’s whirlwind 64 from 26 balls gave the Northern Knights the impetus to comfortably defeat the defending Cup champions. Despite the Knights total being only 71 when Stirling eventually nicked off to Josh Little, the damage was done as the Knights run chase was only 6 overs in, leaving a very achievable run rate required for victory on a pitch offering more to the batters as the day went on. Stirling’s innings featured 5 sixes and 8 fours - his destructive power on the pull shot was on display for all to see, with all of his sixes and four of his boundaries being pull shots behind square or square of the wicket.
Jeremy Lawlor (80*), who anchored the remainder of the run chase, looked at in complete control from then on. The Welsh-born top order batter ran well between the wickets, often putting pressure on the field through turning ones into twos, and his 138-run fourth wicket partnership with Luke Georgeson (58) ensured the Northern team’s successful run chase. Mark Adair also chimed in with a 25* from 23 balls at the end to finish the job.
The Lightning bowlers toiled well, but in the end could not contain the run rate as the Knights cruised to a five-wicket win.
Earlier in the day, the Knights captain Harry Tector had won the toss and opted to bowl. The home side immediately removed Lightning dangerman Kevin O’Brien with the first ball of the inning, and shortly after dismissed Jack Tector (4) to leave the Lightning in early trouble at 11-2 in the second over.
Enter Andrew Balbirnie. The Irish captain, who was featuring in his first match in Ireland after his early season stint with Glamorgan, played an almost flawless innings of 126 from 151 balls - playing shots to all parts and pacing his innings with experience and guile.
Balbirnie featured strongly in two partnerships that first stabilized the innings, and then accelerated the Lightning’s run rate so that a score of around 250 seemed achievable. He firstly shared a 54-run third-wicket stand with Lorcan Tucker (14), then followed in a 120-run partnership with George Dockrell.
While Balbirnie went about his batting in the assured manner Irish fans are familiar with, Dockrell once again impressed with the bat, scoring 58 from 83 balls, including six boundaries. He has now scored 51*, 100* and 58 in his three IP50 knocks in 2021, and is potentially batting his way into contention for the upcoming World Cup Super League series against the Netherlands in June.
Barry McCarthy played a big-hitting cameo at the end with 20* from 7 balls, and Leinster Lightning finished on 243-7 from 50 overs.
For the Knights, Georgeson bowled impressively for his 3-44 - his figures being dented by his last over where he went for 18 run – while Matthew Foster (1-34) looked lively and Ben White followed up his good performance in the last match for the Ireland Wolves with an equally impressive 1-38 from his 10 overs.
The Knights are back in action against North West Warriors at Stormont on Tuesday, while the Lightning face Munster Reds at Pembroke on Thursday.
MATCH SUMMARY
Northern Knights v Leinster Lightning, Inter-Provincial Cup, Comber, 16 May 2021
Lightning 243-7 (50 overs; A Balbirnie 126, G Dockrell 58; L Georgeson 3-44)
Knights 244-5 (43.5 overs; J Lawlor 80*, P Stirling 64, L Georgeson 58; B McCarthy 3-64
Knights won by 5 wickets

NORTHERN CRICKET UNION ANNOUNCES NEW WOMEN'S COMPETITION FOR 2021
The Northern Cricket Union (NCU) is excited to announce a new competition for the 2021 season – the Gallagher Women’s Challenge Plate.
In 2021, the Gallagher Women’s Challenge Plate will see the seven sides in Division One of the women’s league compete against each other in three rounds: the quarter-final, the semi-final and final.
The winner of the competition, along with the runners-up and the winner of a third-place play-off will join the five Premier League teams in the Gallagher Women’s Challenge Cup.
The premise of the Gallagher Women’s Challenge Plate is to provide more competitive matches for those who are starting out in the sport.
There will be three quarter-final ties: Holywood v Waringstown II, CSNI II v North Down II and Muckamore II v Instonians. The winner of these ties will progress to the semi-finals; they will be joined by Carrickfergus who received a bye in the quarter-final draw.
Speaking of the announcement, NCU Cricket Development Officer, Callum Atkinson, said: “We are delighted to announce this new competition for the 2021 season.
“To provide women with more competitive cricket is fantastic – bringing the game into line with the men’s Gallagher Challenge Cup where there’s a preliminary round.
“The NCU would like to thank Gallagher for the continued support of our women’s game and we look forward to working with them during this competition.”
Shane Matthews, NI Managing Director of Gallagher, said: “This year gives those starting out in cricket an opportunity to compete through the Gallagher Women’s Challenge Plate and we are delighted to be a part of it.
“We were first involved in supporting women’s cricket back in 2017 and it is so positive to see how much the game has grown in recent years - long may that continue.”

FAO Dan Carson.
Templepatrick CC are looking for games for our U20s group if you are interested. We have quite a few who play on our Senior teams and would love to get them opportunities to play together.
Contact me on mccrea.a@sky.com if you are keen.
Regards
Andy McCrea

Great to see the game back im out of this season with surgery but will be back stronger than ever

Might be a long shot but any Junior 1 or 2 sides available/interested in a 20-30 over friendly against Downpatrick next Saturday 8th May? We are happy to travel if needs be. Thanks

The Northern Cricket Union (NCU) are delighted to announce the draws for the preliminary round and first round proper of the 2021 Gallagher Challenge Cup.
The preliminary round will see the lowest ranked Section 1 sides play against each other, with the ties as follows: Cliftonville Academy v Bangor and Saintfield v Armagh. These ties will be played on Saturday 12 June.
The first round proper will see the remaining Section 1 clubs and the eight Premier League sides enter the competition. These ties will be contested on Saturday 3 July.
Defending champions CIYMS will entertain Carrickfergus at Belmont in the only all-Premier League tie. Elsewhere, beaten finalists in 2019, Instonians, will face a trip to Eaton Park to take on Ballymena, Lisburn will welcome Donacloney Mill to Wallace Park and Woodvale will host Templepatrick at Ballygomartin Road.
CSNI, North Down and Waringstown will all face a trip to Section 1 clubs in the opening round.
The only all-Section 1 tie will see Muckamore entertain Cregagh at Moylena.
In addition to the draws, insurance broker, Gallagher, has also agreed to sponsor both the men’s and women’s Challenge Cups for a further three years.
Speaking at the draw NCU President Roger Bell said: "We’re glad to have the Gallagher Challenge Cup back again after its hiatus in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This year we are hoping to have a full 50-over competition with the preliminary round kicking proceedings off on 12 June.
“We are also delighted to have Gallagher as our sponsor again for the next three years and we look forward to working with them.”
NI Managing Director at Gallagher, Shane Matthews, added: “We’re delighted to be involved again with the Gallagher Challenge Cup in 2021.
“This will be our sixth year involved in cricket within the NCU and we’ve really enjoyed it. We see ourselves as a community broker and we love being involved with the local community in the summer months.”
2021 Gallagher Challenge Cup Draws
Preliminary Round – Saturday 12 June
Cliftonville Academy v Bangor
Saintfield v Armagh
First Round Proper – Saturday 3 July
Saintfield or Armagh v CSNI
Lisburn v Donacloney Mill
Muckamore v Cregagh
Woodvale v Templepatrick
CIYMS v Carrickfergus
Derriaghy v Waringstown
Cliftonville Academy or Bangor v North Down
Ballymena v Instonians

No spectators? What would the situation in venues such as Wallace Park, Lurgan Park or Sandy Bay for example where people can stop on their exercise walks? Another “back of an envelope” decision from the NI Executive!!

Competitive Cricket to begin again in the NCU from 8th May
NCU
The NCU, alongside NWCU and Cricket Ireland, welcomes the opportunity for cricket competitions to begin again in Northern Ireland from 8th May. Following consultations with all of our clubs we are now in a position to begin to outline the proposed schedule and fixtures for the 2021 season. The proposed schedule is based on current guidelines on restrictions and what we know now. It is of course subject to change with the future easing of NI Executive restrictions as we move through the season.
Our plan outlines a phased approach with:
-an initial return to T20 competitions from 8th May.
-an indicative date of 12th June for a return to longer formats of the game.
That indicative date for longer formats is subject to change and is dependent on the progress of easing of government restrictions. If restrictions ease earlier than that date then some competitions, such as the Robinsons Services Senior League Section 1, may revert to a longer format earlier, which has already been discussed with those clubs involved.
Updates regarding spectators and hospitality will be issued once further government guidelines are announced, however clubs are reminded that currently no spectators are permissible at any matches.
We will continue to monitor government announcements and guidelines and communicate with our clubs if we need to make any adjustments to the season schedule. We all look forward to a safe return to cricket in the weeks ahead.
Clubs will be issued with fixtures, as well as the Return to Play protocols soon, to assist with preparation for competitions starting on 8th May