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The forecast if it can be relied upon, states the last of these heavy downpours are to fade away by tonight and from tomorrow the weather is to be fine and fair, so hopefully the dreaded text 'Match off' won't come through on your mobile phone this coming Saturday morning!

Though handy as these little electronic devices are, I wouldn't get too carried away and emotionally attached to them, folk still should chat face to face..

Fear of the Dark !

I felt compelled as oft the case,
to take a stroll of an evening late
so suitably attired I set off,
out the door, then out the gate.

I crossed street,walked down the road
then came to a lonely lane
and with purpose in my stride,
proceeded along this dark domain.

The night time sky was clear and bright
behind a luminous full moon,
blackthorn hedge bounded either side
enclosed me within a linear tomb.

Undeterred I journeyed on,
as sterile air revitalized my lungs,
then in the stillness of the nigh
I heard the wagging of little tongues?

The caw and cackle of the crows
roosting high up in the trees,
as each compete for purchase
before the night time freeze.

That shrieking banshee’s cry,
just the howling of a feral fox,
those flapping noises vampires not,
just a circling owl or hunting hawks.

Refreshed and well satiated
on nature’s nocturnal,nourishing, noise
on return walking up the street,
I passed a couple of hooded boys.

Politely I bid each “Good night”
but no reply, each texting on a phone,
so briskly I continued now perturbed,
those two rude beings had chilled me to the bone!

Portadown Taverners seeking Sunday opponents for matches at Chambers Park. Mixed ability, ages, gender, no problem we can accommodate.

http://www.portadowntimes.co.uk/sport/cricket/cricket-back-at-chambers-park-1-6094896

acemarkets(AT)btopenworld.com

Apparently, Jos Buttler was warned twice before he was dismissed in that manner. Was it not against the spirit of the game for him to continue leaving his crease early, when he had been asked twice not to?

Not sure that I recall that incident - I do recall my comments regarding Mr. Collingwood's begrudging attitude at Stormont. My point was the double standards of the media in their concept of the spirit of cricket.

I seem to remember a lot of negative reaction, including from yourself Andy, when Ryan Sidebottom collided with the NZ batsman which resulted in a run out a few years ago. Howls of protest saying that Collingwood should have withdrawn the appeal, against the spirit of the game etc, yet no laws were broken that day either.

You can't have it both ways Andy

Lots of bleating in the media and closer to home on a leading cricket writer's social media account about "that" run out. "Spirit of cricket" being bandied about by those who didn't see anything wrong when Mr. Broad "cheated" by not walking. Funny how things change!! Perhaps Mr. Bushe should read Law 42 (8) before advocating retalitory action.

any club looking to sign a Late replacement PLAYER/ COACH or CLUB COACH? 34 year old Level 3 coach available. thank you

That's good to hear Andy as Ballygomartin Road is still one of the great Belfast cricket venues and no cricket CV would be complete without playing there. Really good to hear positive things as too often our cricket Forums highlight negatives when so many good things are happening at the same time.
Good things are news too!
Just like the return of the UC website.
Apologizes to everyone for our sabbatical.

I know that there will be some who will scoff at this but it was a delight to see old fashioned standards being observed at Woodvale on Sunday where the home side waited until the visitors had partaken of the buffet. A lot of guys could learn from this. I have commented on the excellent catering at Lisburn but the ladies at Ballygomartin Road are definitely up there. There has been a considerable amount of work done around the ground during the close season with the new fencing and the benches round the boundary. Looking really well - pity CR couldn't figure out the new scoreboard!!!

I've noted over the last couple of matches I was involved in as a player, a little ambiguity still prevalent within the lower junior leagues over the age old chestnut, when to call 'no-ball' of a slow bowler if the batsman receives a deliver on the full which is either..

1/ Waste height or above or
2/ Shoulder height or above,

Here is the current ruling :

Slow Bowler:

No ball when high full toss above shoulder height

Fast Bowler:

No ball above waist height and a warning.

I appreciate that some bowlers can and do bowl quite quickly of a short run up and others push the ball through at a more mediocre pace of a longer run up but if you find yourself officiating and are called upon to make a decision accordingly, use where the wicket/keeper is standing to receive the ball as a guide!

Many thanks and I hope this helps clear up any uncertainy for those unsure!

All's well that ends well.
We understand Pat Fisher has received his Irish passport.
Matter closed.
Good luck for the rest of the season Patrick.

Many thanks to Clarence on his article on Alfie Linehan. A true gentleman of the sport who has always had time for anyone, young or old. Always with Mary by his side.
I remember in 1991 when the Linehans and their good friends Cecil and Sylvia Walker were in Sydney for an Ashes Test and got to meet the legendary English fast bowler Harold Larwood at his home. Cecil that evening bought dinner for everybody as he said that he never thought he would meet his childhood hero. Harold recounted stories from "Bodyline" and his treatment by the English selectors after that tour as well as showing them the ashtray given to him by England Captain Douglas Jardine. Great memories for all!

You got that right Billy! World wars were fought on the principle of free speech and democracy, so allowing everyone a soapbox on the forum isn't asking too much.
Have to say I wasn't aware that some clubs don't allow their members to post on websites. If that's true it doesn't say much for the people who blindly accept such a dictatorial directive. I think clubs, committees, unions and individuals should use the forum as an honest platform for communication, debate and discussion. What tends to damage the medium is the personal stuff which we have tried to eliminate as much as possible without censoring an honest opinion. Unfortunately some people don't want to use their own name because some readers dwell too much on the messenger and not the message. I've always admired the person who says what they think and puts their name to it.

QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY CRICKET CLUB – REUNION DINNER

Did you play cricket at Queen’s in the years up to 1974 when the club was in the top Section of the NCU Senior League? If so, then the ‘Big Reunion’ is for you! Taking place on Friday 20th June at 7.30pm in the Canada Room in Queen’s main Lanyon Building, it promises to be an unforgettable evening of memories, friendship and the chance to catch up with former team-mates with whom you may have lost touch. If you are interested, event organisers Tim English englishtim40@yahoo.co.uk or Murray Power emp@murraypower.plus.com would love to hear from you by email.

Andy - to paraphrase Voltaire - I might not like what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it, besides if you and a couple of other old faithfulls stop posting, Clarence might as well shut the forum down!