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For the record, our young 1st XI and Colts batsman Peter Bell scored a majestic 104 not out today in the Colts Cup quarter final versus North Down. This was on the back of a one hour long one to one session with Yogesh Takawale earlier this week. That is what Derrighy get out of having Yogi on board.
Harry, NCU voting is by team not club. This means that the bigger clubs with more teams are already looking after junior cricket interests and when it comes to AGMs the delegates have already been told how to vote. Big clubs versus small clubs is a myth on most issues as neither has anything to fear from the other. We are all interested in doing the best for our sport.
Re Davy and Pro's
All very well saying that Davy - but the NCU are elected by its members
Is there a fear that if a Vote went ahead the smaller clubs would de-rail the big boys ?
I was involved in a great game of cricket the other evening, in fact it was so entertaining even the horses in the fields on the other side of the boundary fence tootled over to watch.
And while I was fielding down at deep third man, one of them put his large head over the fence and told me a story which I found quite incredible and hard to believe.........
A village team are playing a Sunday match and find they are one short. In the adjoining field is a horse so the skipper asks the horse if he can make up the numbers. The horse thinks he has watched enough games over the years from the next field so agrees to play.
The skipper wins the toss and decides to bat first. Obviously he puts the horse at number 11 in the batting order below the local vicar, the village blacksmith and the landlord of the village pub.
As the wickets gradually fall, the horse starts to pad up (well having four legs he has to do this sooner than the others). Finally the 9th wicket falls and the horse walks out to bat with the vicar at the other end. The horse takes strike and is facing the opposition opening bowler who has taken most of the wickets. First ball the horse swings the bat and the ball whistles away for four. The bowler goes back to his full run and steams in, again the horse swings the bat and it goes for 6.
The vicar at the other end watches this and decides that the best thing to do is to get the horse back on strike for the next over as the horse is clearly a better batsman than he is.
On the last ball of the over the horse again connects with the ball but the fielders are all back on the ropes protecting the boundary. Non-perturbed the vicar calls "One Run!" and sets off running to the horses end. As he gets there he is surprised to see the horse has not moved and the vicar has to double back and try and regain his ground at the non-strikers end. The vicar is run out and as they walk off the field he approaches the horse to ask why he did not run the single on offer.
The horse replies
"Run a single? If I could run, I would have been at Epsom and not in that field you idiot...."
Without a Troll posting a comment to stir things up what else would we use the forum for?
Getting fed up reading about Pros. The NCU have approved them so how about the rest of us man up and get on with playing cricket.
Re - Pro's debate
To avoid to the continual cycle...
Why can't we simply vote?
1.Every Club ballots it's members (secret if possible)
2. Then every club submits their vote
3. Everyone shuts up
Thoughts ?
You are Old, Skipper!
Said a precocious nipper, to his experienced skipper;
"You are old, yet still a cunning critter,
a very handy hitter, you never miss a sitter
over point a classy chipper, of the pads a crafty clipper!
And you can bowl a deadly dipper, a floating flipper,
mixed with the odd, rotating ripper,
the batsmen's knees tremble and jitter,
as you run in patter-pitter, the only sound a little titter,
when you release that stealth, stump splitter
to claim another 5 for, or double hat-tricker,
not forgetting, you are a serial, specialist, first slipper,
a great catcher, grabber, gripper!
Pray tell, what makes you such an all round, cracking, cricketer"?
Replied the experienced skipper, to the precocious nipper;
"Now listen very carefully, young snapper-whipper!
Time is much too precious, to throw away or fritter,
for if you choose to wander, or simply be a quitter
you'll end up on the shelf, like a mouldy kipper
so here are my proven tips, from an expert tipper!
Practice makes perfect and helps get you fitter,
so don't lay around too long, tweeting on that twitter
sending silly messages, by electronic transmitter!
Avoid smoking, or risk being a cougher and a spitter
though a social beer is recommended, or a pint of bitter
but don't go the way of many and be a steady sipper,
or you'll waste all your money and end up in the litter!
Find a supportive wife, who does not nag or nitter,
enjoys cricket, is domesticated, a thrifty sewer, stitcher, knitter,
don't fall for the first one, who flashes long lashes,
with a flirtatious flitter!
Finally, enjoy the game and your career shall surely glitter,
but remember, the umpire is the adjudicator,
judge, jury, the sole arbiter,
his decision is final, so please, no back chat or silly chitter
and if you prove yourself, someday my son, you shall be the Skipper"!
I have to agree with the guys regarding yogi. There was never a problem when ab de villiers or obus were scoring double hundreds so what is the big issue now. The only way youngsters improve is to play against better players. His presence in section 1 can only be good for the league.
Also huge congrats to Aaron cairns for his 200 yesterday, some achievement., and James Magowan for a sublime 132 not out on Saturday.
I don't remember too many complaining when Dundrum's pro scored a load of runs a couple of years ago or hitting 6x6 in an over. Obus Piennar gets lauded when he scores big hundreds and other teams in the NCU have praise heaped on them when they sign players from other clubs or have 2 or 3 overseas 'pros'.
Yet when clubs like Derriaghy or CIYMS do something similar all the detractors come out and the criticism starts. As far as I'm aware things have been done by the rulebook so good luck to them. Yogi certainly impressed us when he played against Downpatrick a few weeks ago and luckily for us was out early after scoring 40 odd. It was a good challenge bowling to someone of that calibre and that's the way playing against him should be viewed.
On another note congratulations to James Magowan and Aaron Cairns of Downpatrick who scored 132* and 200 respectively this weekend. As well as Carrick's Mikey Taiaroa who hit 106, the Meadow was the place to be for runs.
Never mind slating pro's for doing their job on the field, what about the young local talent that came up with some amazing performances this weekend. 200 not out for Aaron Cairns for Downpatrick 2's and 130 odd for James Magowan for their 1s the day before. Wonder where these guys would be without coaching from pro's??
I really don't see what the problem with Derriaghy's pro is? They've adhered to all the rules that have been set with regards to signing a pro and in my opinion they should be commended for finding such a good player. As I said in an earlier post it's just sheer jealousy because they've found such a good player whereas some clubs have ended up with pros who would struggle in Junior 9 !
Pros are exceptional for the local game. Good ones like Yogi dont come along to often. He has scored some big runs so far but I dont think you can read to much into the Donacloney score as they were a poor bowling side. As Andy said he has been dropped on numerous occasions. Certainly will help the kids out and I know he was round all the local schools as well.
Great to watch.
far be it from me to agree with Messrs Kenny - either senior or junior!! - but Andrew is totally correct. I know that Mr. Angry was sweating in the earlier part of the season until the pro found his feet in our conditions so I'm sure he feels that the pressure is off. Is it an inborn Northern Ireland jealously trait - "I mind him when he had nathin'"? Graham & I had a long chat about this a couple of weeks ago and for once we are in total agreement!!
Guys, a public internet discussion forum is all about discussion and opinion surely?
