Forum

Rob, what does league positions have to do with whether teams are interested in playing games? My team is down the table at the moment but I can assure you we are very interested in playing games. I spent 3 hours on the bowdry a few weeks ago to ensure we got a fixture played v BISC (and it was their home game but their pitch was not going to be playable so fixture would have been voided if we didn't host). A couple of weeks ago our home fixture v Donaghadee was the only one in section 3 to go ahead. These are not the actions of a team not wanting to play.

It is interesting to note that Portadown have just pulled out of the league. Also Dunmurry and PSNI have been struggling for a couple of years to get teams together so there are certainly issues in section 3. Combining sections 2 and 3 is certainly not the answer though and I think its a ridiculous suggestion. That would create a 16/17 team league with such a disparity between top and bottom that more problems would be created than solved. Perhaps a couple teams from section 2 should drop to section 3 and some section 3 clubs drop into Junior cricket?

Rob,
If you want to accuse sides of not being able to field a team or not wanting to play cricket, then I would suggest you look at the picture a bit closer.
VCC 1X1 have played 5 games, had one game more than most in the section called off due to the Junior Cup and had another game against the PSNI postponed due to the pressure the G8 Summitt placed on their players availability. If both those games had went ahead, then we would have played 7 league games to date, the same as the highest in the division. Our Seconds have also completed 5 games so far, second only in J6 to Carrick 3's, and this despite a damp "summer" and our clubs decision not to play on the Sabbath day, I am quite sure members of the other clubs you wish to denigrate will be able to give reasons for themselves, but I can assure you that VCC are fully intending to fulfill ALL fixtures if the weather permits, for ALL THREE of our sides.

Div 3 shambles:

In my opinion the NCU should scrap div 3 as there seem to be only 3 teams who are interested in playing and organizing games...this is reflected in the league positions / games played. There are teams who cannot field teams are not interested in making the grounds playable and are generally not interested....scrap div 3 and make div 2 bigger

Just back from a disappointing u15 interpro series for the NCU boys. Thanks to the large number of parents for the support given to the boys over the 3 days. It's a pity one of the Leinster boys described the NCU team as "The New Munster" in earshot of the majority of these parents. Pretty hard to take after all the time and effort invested by the boys and parents over the 3 days and indeed the last 6 months.

Just a couple of questions about rain interuptions and reduced overs

1. Why wait until 1.30 before starting to reduce overs - that is half an hour wasted straight away
2. Why reduce overs at a rate of 1 every 8 minutes. If you bowled your overs at 4 minutes per over you would incur penalty extras for bowling too slowly. If you are off for an hour the game is only reduced by 7 overs per side. Even test matches require 15 overs an hour to be bowled.

Surely the whole point of reducing overs is to try and ensure that the game finishes at roughly the same time as it normally would. Games finishing at 8.45 is a farce. The weather is already making life difficult for everyone and these rules are not
helping

Academy Cricket Club received news this morning of the sudden death of one of our rising stars, David Hawthorne. He came to us as a young under 15 opening bat who proudly hit his first ball as an academy cricketer for six. Two years later, he scored an impressive 20 runs on debut for the 1st XI in difficult conditions at the Cloughan. However, what Davy will be remembered for most will be his ability to make those around him laugh. He was always fun to be around and could lighten the mood in any situation. Just last Sunday he had most of the 3s in stitches with his usual jokes; all said while wearing his RBAI top. Although none of us will get the pleasure to play alongside him again, I know that he will never be forgotten. As a mark of respect, all this weekend’s Academy CC matches have been called off. Our thoughts and prayers are with David’s family and friends at the difficult time.

I am trying to chase up a number of scorecards from the Inter Union competitions.

National Cup
Killyclooney v Laurelvale
St Johnston v Cliftonville

Ulster Shield
Woodvale v Newbuildings
St Johnston v Dundrum

Ulster Plate
Brigade II v North Down II

I am happy to accept a photo or photos of the scorebook or I can send a proforma via email.

If anyone can help either way, please contact me at d77doey@btopenworld.com

I think we should retain 50 over cricket but with 12 or even 11.30 starts once schools are finished. Personally I don't enjoy shorter games and don't think it would encourage people to stay in the game. I start every season with the hope that Donaghcloney will get promoted however unlikely that may be.

Great to see that the Enterprise will be stopping at Malahide for the England game.
http://www.northerncricketunion.org/database/2013/news/articles/article290.shtml

(am i allowed to post links?)

As much as I respect KYLE I totally disagree im saying try 40 over cricket below the PREMIER(which is virtualy a professional leaque and that's not a DIG) JUST FOR 1 SEASON then the clubs can revert if they think not a success. I AM not having a go at clubs but theres possibly only 2/3 teams in section one that want or GOOD ENOUGH go into premier which says it all ,AS MOST NO IM A BETTING MAN AN WILL WAGER 100£ IF THEY TRY 40 OVER CRICKET THEY WONT REVERT BACK if they do ill give cash to Lords Taveners . AND I DEFINITLY WILL PROPOSE AT AGM

You're welcome Andy, just as any good batsman worth his salt has a shot in his armory for any type of delivery, I like to keep a poem on tap for every occasion!

Clarence agree with you about guys staying in the game. I left a few back copies of your Ulster Cricketer magazine - still had them until Flossie ordered that the drawer had to be cleared!- at Moylena and some of the guys have been commenting about the number of teams that were in four divisions. My earlier point was that if we lose the same number over the next 30 years as in the past then it will be 'switch the light out' time. The magazines themselves make interesting reading- especially the debates about the introduction of pros - nothing changes there!- but the photos are a social history of Ulster cricket. There's a great one of Raymond Moreland playing for the Lords Taverners! Not forgetting the 1981 Cup Final!! P.S. thanks for the verses Caleb

On Friday 21st June Ireland Under 19's play an MCC XI at Muckamore . Starting at 11am , 50 overs a side. Spectators are always made welcome at Moylena.

Some excellent points from Kyle and Davy and there's nothing negative about discussing the pros and cons of any aspect of our cricket. I attended the NCU AGM last year for the first time in a few years and was very disappointed at the lack of debate. Most of the issues were signed, sealed and delivered before the meeting. The fact is players have been leaving the game for years but their places are filled by another generation. I looked at a photo of the 1981 North Down 1st and 2nd XI teams in the Senior Cup book and with the benefit of hindsight looked at how many of these players stayed in the game or dropped out after playing senior cricket. It was roughly 50-50. At least 50% of the 'drop outs' went to golf and I don't think any of the others would cite spending more time with the family as a reason. On the plus side the Shields brothers Ian and Don, Robin Haire and Billy Dale were great examples of longevity and have given local cricket tremendous service. Although I'm looking at 30 years ago I don't think a lot has changed so I suppose it is different strokes for different folks. If kids in their late teens leave the game for girlfriends they need a pep talk from the old bull who told the young bull to take his time and he can have all the cows he wanted. I think there are a few old bulls around our clubs who could offer the same advice.

Al C:

Thanks, I'll catch up with you at a game soon.

Andy Kennedy:

Here's one I prepared early for you to mull over before arriving back to 'sunny wee Norn-Iron'

I am Zeus !

I am Zeus God of gods,
the omnipotent one,
all immortal and mere mortal
bow in reverence,
to my almighty power, awesome!

I could make you a king,
ruler, over land and sea,
or I could take it all away again,
just as easily!

I can crush a mountain,
just as you a fly,
or send a multitude of shooting stars,
across the midnight sky!

If my desire a princess royal
would relinquish,
a much coveted, cherished, chastity
There really is no limit,
to my ability!

But you tiny, insignificant, mortal man
I am envious of thee
as what you know, I know not off
and it burdens me!

Why doth the lady's cheeks glow red,
when you pass each other by?
Or when you gently clasp her hand,
why that sparkle in her eye?

If this is what you know as Love
then I must decree!
It has more power than I above,
for it is unconditional
and esteemed by parity!