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Roger Bell

Home

13th Jan 2012

The new Ulster Sports Museum has requested from the NCU and NWCU the top 20 post war international players who will be featured in the cricket section of their museum.

At this week's NCU Board Meeting we were asked to start the ball rolling by selecting the top 10 NCU players.

To start the debate, this is my selection: Monteith, Anderson, Corlett, Jackson, S Warke, G Harrison, Rea, McCallan, White, and Stirling

We would be interested in hearing opinions from NCU cricket supporters on their top 10's.

simpy

Belfast

13th Jan 2012

Yes I am lead to believe this is true and that CI have signed his mate, another leading Pakistani cricketer!!!

C.Boomer

Aussies pummelling the Indians...again !

13th Jan 2012

As we are currently enjoying an unseasonly mild winter....this morning being exceptionly pleasent, I decided to treat Oscar our 1yr old Shi-tzu dog to an extra walk and headed out over the park for another 'good dander'.

With signs of spring already in clear abundance, birds singing, despite as yet the lack of leaves appearing on the deciduous trees, the wild onion garlic is strongly peaking through, snow-drops well established, even the daffodils beginning to show signs of making 'a spurt'.
In this bright sunshine, my thoughts began lingering to the possibilities of commencing some very early out-door bowling practise.

The problem being ofcourse, it's not much fun on your own unless you own a 'good cricket dog' !
Now wee Oscar is many things.. the heart of a lion, will do any trick for a bit of sausage or chicken, but he just ain't into his cricket ! Don't get me wrong, he'll chase the ball ok, but trying to coax him into bring the dam thing back is nye on impossible!

Now as I have seen while out & about around various cricket grounds over the years, the larger cricketing fraternity, players, officials and supporters alike are broadly-speaking like myself, a family of dog lovers and I enjoy observing the many varying shapes and sizes that turn up at cricket matches throughout the season, even if an odd one breaks loose and joins a game as a 12th fielder!

Before Oscar I owned a half alsation/labrador cross Dougle, an excellent cricketer always returned the ball, although he tended to slobber a bit as he warmed up and chewed the ball, but he was still very sharp.
Before Dougle, as a boy and into my 20's I had Patch, a heinz 57 mongrel with a bit of terrier definitly in him and he loved cricket, faultless to a T. Stood at silly mid-on waiting for a catch, always retreived the ball, never chewed or dampened it, never tired and 'my best friend' !

The point of my story is....sad to hear at this time of year so many beautiful dogs abandoned, ending up in pounds and shelters or worse throughout the country, all because their owners can't be bothered anymore!!

A dogs for life ! Part of the family, will reward you with love & affection no matter what their breed and nearly all make super 'cricket dogs' but maybe not Oscar the Shi-tzu, though we wouldn't change him for the world !!!

Johnny Black

Comber

13th Jan 2012

Any truth that North Down have signed Anwar Ali?

Jonathan Lyttle

NIACUS

12th Jan 2012

The 2012 IACUS Annual Conference will be hosted by NIACUS on Saturday 18th February 2012 at Stormont. A warm invitation is open to all cricketers and supporters to attend this day which promises to be of interest to many. Guest speakers include Dr Mark Elliott, a sports psychologist who has provided advice and guidance to Belfast Giants and several major sports stars from the province. We also have Paddy O'Hara giving a talk on boundary assessments and two workshops that will feature preparation and routines. In between the AGM of IACUS will take place. So if you fancy a chance to broaden your insight into the game why not come along? If interested please contact me at jonathan.lyttle@nihe.gov.uk

JONATHAN LYTTLE

NIACUS

11th Jan 2012

The annual NIACUS Umpire Training Course is due to take place on the weekend of 3rd to 5th February 2012. This course will provide potential umpires or interested parties with the first step towards becoming a Cricket Umpire and is facilitated by Keith Smith and Alan Neill. We would appeal to all clubs to consider providing at least one person to attend as our pool of umpires requires new members each year. Clubs need to consider that if they wish to have umpires at their fixtures each week that we require people to complete courses. The added advantage of qualifying is the opportunities for umpires with several members of NIACUS alread on the ICC Europe list and Mark Hawthorne becoming a member of the Elite list in 2011. There are many doors open for those who wish to progress. So if you interested please forward your name to Keith Smith or Jonathan Lyttle as soon as possible.

robin haire

Downpatrick

11th Jan 2012

Very sad to hear of the passing of Ivan Reid. A great groundsman and a great character. Condolences to all the Reid family circle at this sad time.

Paul McCrum

Texas USA

10th Jan 2012

Rest in Peace Ivan Reid - a real character, gentleman & quality Umpire - gone too soon.

billy adams

home

10th Jan 2012

sorry to hear of the passing of ivan reid he would never pass you by without stopping for chat thoughts are with ivans family at this sad time.

Neil Gill

Moylena

10th Jan 2012

Briilliant Ryan cheers.

Very sad to hear of the passing of Ivan, was a true gentleman on and off the cricket pitch. Sincere condolences to the Reid family from all at Muckamore CC.

andy kennedy

Buckna

10th Jan 2012

Taito - thanks for the clarification

Ryan

Comber

10th Jan 2012

Woodvale Indoor Cricket 6s Shankill Leisure Centre
15th Jan 1pm in partnership with Boom Boom

The Indoor Sixes competition is back with hosts Woodvale / Inst/ North Down/ Nomads/ Saintfield / Muckamore set to take part over 5 Sundays Jan 15/29
Feb 12/19/26 with more action for juniors on 4th March.
In its secod year the tournament supported by Belfast City Council and Boom Boom hosts matches at 2/3/4pm each week.
Teams are asked to be present this Sunday at 1pm at Shankill LC.

WAR

Demense, Saintfield

10th Jan 2012

Re Ivan Reid
A real character and true gentleman.
Ivan was always available to discuss,argue with and even agree with on occassions on matters associated to the game of cricket [particularly wicket preparation].
Many a lengthy yarn I have had with him down at the Demense [winter and summer] on the less important worldy issues like the economy,Europe,local and international politics,business management,conflict resolution etc etc.

Ivan,you will be missed at Saintfield Cricket Club.

My Sincere Sympathy to his wife and family.

Clarence Hiles

HQ

10th Jan 2012

IVAN REID
It was sad to learn of the passing of Ivan Reid, a doyen groundsman and former umpire. Ivan was one of the most genuine characters in local cricket and loved to talk about the game and its many facets. In his heyday he was rated the best groundsman around and the fine pitches he produced at the Meadow vindicated his lofty status and helped make Downpatrick an international venue. He was also a willing consultant at other grounds and many clubs owed Ivan a lot for getting their grounds shipshape. For some years he was also a friendly and popular umpire and loved nothing better than the fun and camaraderie of a cricket game. Above all, he was a lovely man.
Rest in Peace.
Clarence Hiles
Editor

JONATHAN LYTTLE

Scorebox

10th Jan 2012

The Officers and Members of NIACUS wish to express their most sincere sympathy to family and friends of the late Ivan Reid who has sadly passed away. Ivan was a respected member of NIACUS for many years and stood in at least one international fixture during his umpiring days. He will be sadly missed by many and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and Downpatrick Cricket Club at this time.