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With the new year almost on us the rumour mill seems to be very quiet particularly in the Premier League.

Are CI the only ones to have announced there signings or is there any others out there? Any other pros confirmed?

With apologizes to Caleb K Boomer...

Time to reflect
Think of our place in the world where we live,
And reflect on the things we should ask to forgive,
Think of the future and a better place,
For our friends and our family to enjoy and embrace,
Think of the things we too often neglect,
For in the journey of life there’s no going back,
Think of the Great Man when he measures our worth,
It won’t be in dollars or the width of our girth,
He’ll look at our virtues and what we gave others,
Our friends and our family, our sisters and brothers.
Think of yourself and some inner spring cleaning,
If the message of Christmas has any true meaning.
JCH

Merry Christmas to everyone from Peter and Clarence

If England are imploding, fight fire with fire;

No better time then to unleash the mighty Bready man on the marauding Aussies, would love to see it happen !

Frank;

Unorthodox indeed but stay at the crease as long as you can !

It was wonderful to see 2 of the doyens of Ulster cricket out and about at the Europa on Wednesday past and looking so dapper. They were clearly good form - Cecil Walker was looking forward to being back at Wallace Park and Billy Boyd looking forward to Muckamore beating them! On a separate note - is the England team imploding? Maybe they will be back to trawl in Irish cricket!

Caleb Kirkpatrick Boomer

Please, please, please.

(read as telegram for the uninitiated)

It's not always about scoring runs, (though England's finest may beg to differ!)

"Providence", said a Pig !

The past summer had been long and incongruously hot
still I played every game, though my score remained nought
yet despite that empty feeling, like when you've lost the lot,
I remained steadfast in the hope of one final, productive shot!
But in the very last match, providence brought
those longed for scoring runs, so eagerly sought
then after, straight to an ale house without a thought,
of my betrothed elsewhere waiting, like the lady of Shallot!
As that previous day, a fine wedding ring I had bought
hand crafted and embossed with a jewel, expertly wrought
my intention to propose at a well known lover's spot,
a place where each evening, we would meet at precisely 8 o'clock!

But too much booze and bravado, mixed together in a pot
are quite often the undoing, of many an honorable plot
so later that night, swaggering down a road I knew not,
I tripped over my boot lace, which had not been tied taut,
landing head first into a ditch, like a clumsy clot!
As I lay there cursing, precarious and distraught
a passing pig sat down beside me, in the rancid rot
then with a look of disdain, it spoke somewhat fraught
and to this very day, its profound words I have never forgot!
"Providence can elevate a man, or make him squalid and squat
just as a drunken fool's efforts, invariably amount to naught
and no lady of principal, would marry a man who can't tie a knot!"
Then it slowly got up and made off in a trot, leaving me,
to mull over a lesson, sagaciously taught!

And a happy New Year !

Michael. I think it was Roger Harper's older brother Mark who played for Donaghcloney. Roger played for Woodvale.

Might be wrong but I thought Roger Harper played for Donaghloney?

On behalf of us Kennedys I add my condolences to the Shields family at this time. My big pal at Ballymena, the late John Shields was a cousin of the North Down 'clan' and we always had a warm welcome from Brenda on our visits. In more recent years I would meet her when I had the pleasure of umpiring the 'young guys' and we always had a good chat. Our thoughts are with the wider family circle.

A Cricketing Christmas Cracker !

As I roved out one cold day on the 24th of December, I had in my possession as I well remember
An old cricket ball to practice my bowling, as I find this more engaging than simply strolling
And though you may find this somewhat hard to believe, bearing in mind ‘twas Christmas eve
But listen carefully to my implore and earnest entreat, this story is true, bereft of deceit!

So when in position and ready to go, I heard a gregarious laugh and someone bid me “ hello”
From out of the lengthening shadows appeared, a gigantic man sporting a flowing, white beard
Slung over his shoulder a most massive sack, which he set on the ground from off his broad back
From within he withdrew a new cricket bat, as nervously I pondered what may he do with that?

He then spoke to me saying, “Sir if you would, throw me that ball so I can break in this wood"
Thus I bowled at him at a fast pace, was he was the ghost of the late W.G. Grace?
And for all that I knew he may of well been, he was the best that I'd ever seen
A talented batsman dressed in red and white, who hit the ball with dynamic might!

Then he set down the bat with a grin, saying; “Well bowled but next time try spin
I’ll have to now leave I cannot stay, but thanks for the game and how well you play
But tonight many chimneys I shall descend, on me at this festive time, children depend
So please take that new bat, a present for you and take these parcels, for your family too!

And just before I leave may I also say this, always keep faith in the spirit of Christmas
For a little imagination is good for soul and what’s more, it can change dull brass into gold”
Then he smiled at me with a comical wink and instantly disappeared within an eye blink
And as I returned home it began to snow, then in the distance a voice yelled out; "Merry Christmas, Ho,ho, ho” !

Merry Xmas !

AB has already been mentioned by Nile in his original list, but Wijekoon now makes it 24 by my reckoning.

Has AB De Villiers been mentioned i dont see his name

It is with deep regret that I report the sad passing of Brenda Shields, wife of Ian and mother of Peter. She was a wonderful wife and mother and not only provided sterling support to her cricketing family, but many other North Down members who held her in such high esteem. For many years she was an integral part of the Ladies Tea Committee and a friendly host for visitors to The Green. Above all, she was a lovely person whose life was devoted to others and who bore her illness with great strength and fortitude.
Sincere condolences are extended to the Shields family at this difficult time.
May she Rest in Peace.
JCH

One way to make sure the money paid to players is not money down the drain or is just trophy hunting is to police the amount of coaching they do. If we take £15 an hour as an acceptable rate then if a player is earning £3,000 then let that be in return for 200 hours coaching. Maybe the union could put a levy of 10% of the money paid to players goes to the Union who could then have more Development Officers to monitor and check up in the coaching hours being provided by the paid players.
I think it interesting to see Clarence wanting to encourage debate about the payment of players when he was the driving force behind North Down starting the trend way back in the early 80's when they lured Michael Reith from Waringstown and in the next ten years had as many paid players as any club today. In fact in Clarence's excellent book on the history of Ulster Cricket he makes reference that this decision helped kick start the club's success over the last three decades.
I think these forums are great as they keep cricket alive all year around. It's great to see more clubs entering additional teams in 2014 so crickets decline is greatly exaggerated .

Well rememberd Robin, his name was Gunaratne, just checked him out, he plated 23 ODIs but no Tests.

23 so far Nile!