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Who said cricket is dead ? I put an article into last weeks Antrim Guardian headlined " any one for cricket " appealing to people who had never played, or played at school or had just moved in to the town to turn up at the club on Thursday night.
Seven guys turned up , four who had played at school up to 20 years ago and three guys who just fancied trying cricket. To grow cricket we need to look at those who want to play what I call recreational cricket as well of those who want to play at the highest possible level.
I intend to make further appeals and look at having a " grass roots " coach to help the newcomers. We also have a host of new players from the Indian community who are holding a seven team tournament at Moylena on Thursday 15th ..I have never seen so much activity in over forty years at Muckamore.,We will be entering a 5ths next season and with the numbers at our boys night a 6ths team could be a possibility next season. We also will enter a second team in the Midweek League and plan to have a Ladies team.
None of this happens without a lot of hard work and marketing cricket as a great sport not only to play but from a social and community perspective .,My next plan is to get posters up in the local schools, leisure centres, rugby clubs, GAA clubs asking " anyone for cricket ? ". If every club did the same then the spin offs would be tremendous .

Hi Ivan - for those who don't do twitter or tweet (was that not a canary in a cartoon?!) do tell!!

Ivan,

I heard about it too, absolutely scandalous indeed, what was he thinking off ? A man in his position, constantly under the public eye ?

Has Monty Panesar lost the plot ?

Peeing on the bouncers in a night-club after a night out on the raz !

What ever next, dare I even go there ?

Correction to your averages

Both Lee Nelson and Greg Thompson have a batting average of 30 for this season.

In the week that was I am sure Michael Taylor will be having a chuckle that he should be the subject of debate on this Forum , when there are at least a couple other incidents doing the rounds on Twitter and the Sunday papers .

interesting to look at the batting averages of our local players for the Northern Knights

C dogherty - 22
l nelson - 31
j shannon - 24
j vdm - 35
a white -54
p eakin -14
g thompson -24

if this is the best we have NCU cricket is in a sad state of affairs, 4 top 6 bats averaging below 30....

Re. Gilford vanHire.
Michael arrived home from England in late June, intending to stay for 2 to 3 weeks. He played two Ist XI games, due to the unavailability of regular players, and one game for the 3rd XI against Armagh. Shortly after this game Michael decided to extend his stay and was subsequently starred for the 2nd XI.

Frank - Hardly immoral and certainly not a stunt.

Re Gilford Van Hire

Legal, just immoral and not the only club to pull such a stunt.

Interesting to see Michael Taylor back in the Ballymena 1st XI having turned out for their 3rds recently. Some bizarre starrings around the Union!

cheers davy , but I cant even walk today after games fri/sat but hopefully if selected might get turn the arm over in the firsts before I retire . congrats and good luck to Woodvale and Derriaghy in their CUP FINALS

I wrote the following in anticipation of Yorkshire winning the 4 day county championship, although I realize it's a bit premature, ( still August ) but I'll dedicate it to any winning league team within the N.C.U. & their loyal fans,
just substitute the white rose for your own club's emblem...

As the Season Draweth Nigh

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

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

Appeased at last, their craving to satisfy
a curiosity, encroaching wry
incessant its 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 a menacing sky
the falling leaf, does not belie
gone the days of a balmy July,
willow v leather, strawberries and apple pie

But wipe that tear from your eye
no need for sorrow, or mournful cry
the laws of nature, always apply
so summer flowers, must fade and die

For as sure as a pig, sleeps in a sty
father time marches forward, by and by,
the glorious bloom will return and multiply
as shall the regal faithful, to once again soliloquy
If around the silver, the white rose they’ll tie?

A big well done to my mate Jeff Maguire with a great batting performance at the weekend. Scoring with him I certainly knew he could 'talk the talk' but it's good to see even in his golden years, he can still 'walk the walk'!!!!!!

Played at Donaghadee on Saturday for Dundrum Jeff Maguire rolled back the years opening the batting scoring 58 no and getting 3 wickets a good clubman and good for young players to learn from really enjoyed the match tight finish but played in good spirit and big win for Dundrum ps is there an age limit for inter pro's as maybe selectors want to have a look at Jeff.lol

thanks for the comments regarding Dunmurry CC. It has been an extremely hard past few years but credit to people who work very hard at the club. I dont want to name names as I am afraid to leave anyone out. I myself havent been about the place or played recently but I hope the club gets sorted and doesnt give in to the thugs. I know how hard it is but hopefully we can move forward in a playing capacity

Clarence and "b" it's a chicken and egg scenario! Ps great to even be debating inter- pros at last.