Forum

Hiler,

Simon Burrowes and Ricky Adair formed a formidable half back pairing at Holywood for many years - both were good enough to represent Ulster Juniors at rugby and Ulster Town at cricket.

I'm sure I've forgotten some others but Paddy Wallace played for NICC 4X1 winning at least one cup final

Re Rugby / Cricket
Mike Gibson did play cricket for NICC - few others to consider from now and yesterday - Mike Heaney, James McKinney, Gary Wilson, Andrew McCulla, Paul Marshall (played for NICC in 1999), David Finlay, Charlie Beverland snr, Pau Jackson, Mike Crooks, Neil Doak, Lawrence Norwood - just to name a few - not many in the front row though

Re Rugby/Cricketers

Here a few more who all played senior cricket and senior rugby

Stephen Warke (Woodvale) played No 8 for North 1sts

Larry Warke (Woodvale) front row for Ulster & Leinster

John Hewitt (Instonians) out half for Instonians & Ireland

Herbie Martin (Lisburn)No 8 for Instonians & Ulster

Ian Warke (Woodvale) Full back for North 1sts & CIYMS 1sts

Garfield Bell (Lurgan) played tight head for Dungannon & Ulster

Lawrence Hunter (North Down) Played centre for Civil Service, Ulster & Ireland

Raymond Hunter (Lisburn & Lurgan) played for CIYMS, Ulster, Ireland & British Lions

Neil Doak (Lisburn) played scrum half for North & Ulster

Also dad came up with the following which the some of the older patrons would be more familiar with!!
Rex Pedlow (Downpatrick), Ronnnie Craig (Wooodvale)Graeme Crothers (Woodvale), Herbie Parkhill (North), Adrian Goodrich (Ballymena),Jimmy McKelvey , Stuart Pollock, George Uprichard (Woodvale) David McKee(Ciyms)

Lastly Alan, Graeme and myself all played for North and Portadown but I was the only one of the Hunters who played in the front row !!

Neil

Andy

I played against Mike Gibson at Ormeau.What always sticks in my mind was that he wore a white helmet while facing me. Now I know I told everyone I could bowl a quicker arm ball but this to me was comical. A guy who had faced some of the most fearsome rugby players on Lions tours wearing a helmet while batting. Ian Humphreys opened the bowling for Ballymena and he was almost as quick as Adrian McCoubrey. He would have been a handful for anyone I think.

Ian Humphries played for Ballymena from memory?? He certainly played against us at underage level, he was a nippy fast bowler. Talented boy.

Ivan - since you mention the 'Hinch - what about Budgie? Can any of the former NICC guys confirm if Mike Gibson played cricket?

rugby/cricket: Aaron ferris currently plays for us and plays for ballynahinch, and has won all ireland cup with them.

Rugby/Cricket

Andy Gleghorne captained Ballyclare High School to their only Schools Cup win in 1974 v RBAI. He went on to play for Ballyclare and but for a back injury would have played Senior Rugby. Nigel Simpson who played full back for Malone for years also played Senior Cricket for Muckamore. Dessie Kane played rugby for Ulster Juniors. The 3 Napiers played at Ballynahinch as did Colin Magowan.

Two current Ulster players played/play for Lisburn CC, Mike McComish and Ian Whitten

Thanks Andy. Sid and Colin are now in the frame and Stanley was already there. Have added Willie to the subs and as for Paddy I'm not so sure he'll make the squad on his rugby pedigree! A couple more front row men and we'll have a team, and a good one with a few British Lions on board!

Woodvale Cricket Club 125th Anniversary dinner/reception at the City Hall

Reception 7:00 to 7:30pm - followed by dinner, guest speakers and ending with celebratory dance.
Dresscode: Formal i.e. black tie & dress suit.
Ticket Price: £35 per person.
The Woodvale Dinner Sub-Committee is pleased with the initial response and can now offer places to other interested parties who would like to attend this unique event in the Club's history.

Should you wish to attend, please contact Cecil Robinson as soon as possible to confirm attendance, with any guests you might wish to bring. Cecil's contact details are as follows:
Address: 23 Westway Drive, Belfast BT13 3NQ - Tele. No: 07731740244

Sidney Millar always insists he played cricket at Ballymena for the 2nds when there were only 2 teams! Colin McVicker was a dual player at Ballymena and is mentioned in Billy Platt's book along with Philip Carson. Alex & Adrian Goodrich also come to mind. To be honest I think you have a serious problem in this project as, and I quote the late Tom Greenwood, cricket is a game for intellectuals and consequently few rugby players can make the transition! Of course you will have the likes of Stanley Hewitt and Willie Oakes in your sights but what about PLO'Hara who played, to my certain knowledge, rugby at Larne and played a bit of cricket - as we always hear about!!

Cricket Rugby XV
I'm trying to collate a best NCU cricket rugby XV but struggling with a front row! Have there been any good cricketers who played a good standard of rugby and might qualify? Not a bad team so far but if they can't get the ball from the scrum this fantasy team won't set the rugby world on fire!

I would like to join with other correspondents in passing on condolences to the Morrow family on the sad passing of Roy Morrow. He was a warm friendly umpire who enjoyed sport and the camaraderie of being in the company of fellow sporting enthusiasts.
Rest in Peace

Clarence Hiles
Editor