Forum

On the subject of umpires surely everyone has a duty to help, encourage, cajole people to get involved in a vital part of any good cricket game. Umpires make mistakes but then so do players. Last weekend I saw players bowl juicy full tosses, fielders drop catches, wicketkeepers miss stumpings and batsmen play rash shots. And that was in one game. Those players were human beings who made mistakes but lo and behold any umpire who doesn't hear the finest of nicks, or misses an lbw because the bowler is blocking his vision.
The game is what it is, lets strive to be better players and better umpires and be honest in our endeavours.
I have put my name forward to umpire a game on Saturday 28th April as my team has no game that day. I will approach that as I do every game. To be perfect. However I drop catches, I play rash shots, I bowl full tosses so I may cock up a decision. I won't have done it deliberately and I will aim to be better the next time.
If you have no game some Saturday or Sunday why not give volunteer to stand as an umpire. Best place to watch a game they say, meet some new faces and hopefully make a few new friends.

I have no issue with clubs or anyone in the game encouraging people to become umpires. I was simply responding to comments suggesting each club should be made to name the umpires they provide etc.

The basis on which I give an opinion is I am a cricketer I watch cricket all the time and I believe that everyone should be entitled to an opinion. I have seen with my own eyes bad umpiring decisions from international level right down. If you feel that only qualified umpires or someone who has played senior cricket for 20 years has a right to criticise you then that really is a sad state of affairs.

I can only call things as I have seen them. I have no agenda to go to a game and criticise an umpire or come on here and do it. But I think some of the comments directed towards clubs where unfair. Yes we should encourage as many as possible to become umpires if they want but forcing people down this route will be a sad day for cricket

My Predictions

Premier League Waringstown
Section One Muckamore
Section Two Drumaness
Section Three Ards

BKISC Instonians
Senior Cup Waringstown
Irish Junior Cup Muckamore

NW Premier League Limavady

Premier League Manchester United
European Championship ENGLAND

Jeff , what odds will I get on that lot ?

My predictions:

Premier League - North Down
Section 1 - Dundrum
Section 2 - Templepatrick
Section 3 - Donaghadee

Also for those of you who haven't seen Dundrum's magnificent ground or who want to see it again, have a look at our rolling banner on the homepage. "The one and only Meadow" in its prime on an early Saturday morning. www.dundrumcc.com

On the lack of umpires. Maybe all the available umpires on a weekend should just do Junior League games and then the Senior players will realise what its like to play without umpires.

Wednesday 18th April
Sport NI are running a "Child Protection Course for coaching cricket" for us here at CIYMS CC this evening from 7pm - 10pm. We have a couple of spaces, £15 per head.
Probably a bit late but if needed please contact me at alan.mcilwaine@gmail.com
Thanks

Alan

Sincere condolences to George and Gary as the loss of their lovely Iris. She was a gem and well known throughout the cricket fraternity. She bore her illness with great courage as indeed she faced her many challenges in life. I know from experience as she not only "mothered" George and his RUC cricket mates after cricket matches, but she inherited a few North Down friends during many late celebrations after Sixes successes in the Seventies. RUC or North Down usually won, but it hardly mattered as the two teams were virtually inseparable in the clubhouse. Poor Iris was the driver on many occasions, but she was also great company on her nights off! When I saw her last year at Stormont we rolled back the years, but little did I know it was the last time I'd see her. Cricket is not all about the best players and the big names, but about people like Iris who shared so much of the fun and enjoyment we had over the years and who enriched our lives in so many ways.
Rest in Peace you lovely lady.
Clarence Hiles

Stuart Hughes doesn't see any onus on clubs to provide umpires nor should anyone be "forced" down that road. He also feels it is right to critise "poor" umpires. Speaking personally I find this attitude disappointing as I wonder on basis he feels that he has the knowledge to make any assessment of umpires. If potential umpires are not encouraged by their clubs and the NIACUS appeals continue to fall on deaf ears then it won't be too long before Stuart will have no official umpires to criticise and we'll be left with what happens in the lower leagues.

Victoria are running a pre-season T20 tournament between Victoria, Lurgan, Donaghcloney and Millpark on Saturday.

There is information about the competition on the NCU site, and if ya want further information you can search "Jubilee Cup" on Facebook.
www.northerncricketunion.org/database/2012/news/articles/article186.shtml

Condolences from myself and Dundrum cricket club to both George and Gary and family circle on the passing of Mrs Wilson our prayers go out to them all .

The Officers and Members of NIACUS wish to extend their most sincere sympathy to George and Gary Wilson upon the passing away of Mrs Wilson on Sunday night. Our thoughts and prayers are with both of them and we hope that they will be comforted by these at this very sad time.

Re Taito

Just to make it clear that there is no truth in any rumour that the NCU are considering moving fixtures on 28 April to allow people to watch the Ulster rugby semi final. This has not even been discussed, nor have we received any requests to do so. However, clubs may of course mutually agree an earlier start if they wish to have matches completed in time to view the rugby semi final, which I think starts at around 6.

did i hear a rumour the NCU were considering moving the first fixtures to another date due to the ulster rugby semi final?

Thanks to all at Glendermott CC for there hospitality to Victoria CC yesterday and best wishes for the incoming season in the North West

I don't think the onus should be in clubs to provide umpires at all. We can't force people down this route. I also reserve my right to complain about poor umpiring as well. I think we should make effort to encourage people to go down this route if they want but that's all.