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Nice to see Paul Collingwood end his test career with dignity and pride and the admiration of the English supporters. Ricky P, maybe you should take note sir. Even my aboriginal friends here agree! Maybe Andy K from Buckna will also give some praise to Colly for a change or does he still hold a grudge on Colly for something which Colly said that was actually true!?!

Watching AB De Villiers continue to star in South Africa's test team made me wonder who was the best overseas pro in Ulster cricket? AB must be up there?
Craig McMillian was maybe the best at the end of his career or possibly Lamba. Some great players to select from.

Anyone know when the Cup Draws are made!?

Fossie..well spotted on the Norwood thing. Interesting to see that the editor may well have been consuming slightly too much caribbean rum based on the amendment to Worwood!

Thanks Michael.
Will correct. The world is not ready for that combination!
Best wishes to everyone at "The Park" in 2011. It promises to be a great year and I already have the dinner date in my diary!

I have to question the "vocabulary" award to North-West posters. Having worked in that area for "wile" I understand the lingo alright. I had indeed suggested at the time that the City of Derry airport should have been named the "Dead On Hi" airport!! I attracted some attention when I acted as official Muckamore interpreter at the Ulster Shield final at Ballymagorry where the Bond's Glen supporters were shocked that I was able to converse with them in their own patois, particularly in the area of paying players and also in getting that "aul' doll" to move her car at the entrance so we could get the bus out! The BG's captain even included a "moan" in his less than gracious post-match speech. I am soooo looking forward to see how they perform in 2011 following their promotion.
Also I know its a bit late but could I, on behalf of Flossie, Michael, Jonny, Joanne (yes, there is a daughter in our family!), their spouses and grandchildren Jack & Chloe, wish everyone involved in cricket a happy & prosperous 2011 and trust that it brings everything that everyone wishes?

Like the alternative New Year's Honours stuff, though not sure that the secret love child of Laurence Norwood or Wayne Horwood will be just as pleased :-). Good luck to the Ulster Cricketer for 2011 and congratulations on a fine 2010.

I would think it will be the usual suspects at the top of the premier league in 2011, hard to see past North Down, the strength in depth makes them that bit stronger than the challengers, although im sure Waringstown will push them close. I would think the Bangor, possibly Carrick and Ballymena will be fighting to avoid the drop but im sure a few other teams will be drawn in to this battle too.

What about Section 1 any predictions? Heasley will strengthen Lurgan for sure and fair play to them for taking steps to improve the club as a whole, I would hope we will be challenging also, and i think Saintfield might be a dark horse after a solid season in the league last year.

still think that it will be down to the usual 3 or 4 at the end of 2011 - North Down have the strength in depth and Waringstown likewise. Lisburn surprised a few pundits last season and should do so again. CSNI, when Jones & West weren't available were an "ordinary" side and the loss of Heasley to Lurgan hasn't helped CI's cause. Big spending Carrick always flatter to deceive and will again end up with the "also-rans". Brian Millar has a big task at Bangor even with the talented Nixons, etc. and Muckamore might be mid-table. Other committments meant that Instonians had a huge number of players turn out last year and lack of consistency may be the story again. Ballymena don't seem to be attracting new players to support the likes of D. Kennedy and I fancy them & Bangor for the drop. Will be interesting to see how the promoted teams fare in the higher Sections I & II. Its only the turn of the year and I'm looking forward to 2011 already.

Russeller,

All fair comments. My comment about Moran v Harding was more to the effect that 47 wickets is a fair target to beat. I don't think it's been beaten by many quicks in last few seasons. As for batting I have always thought that Peter Shields is a terrific player and Tetly is a feared opponent. They would be few if any better number 5 and 6 in Irish cricket than those two so now they are 6 and 7 or the new pro bats at 7 and with that top 6 I couldn't see him contributing that often.
From the sidelines it seems that with Robertson scoring 1,000 runs in 2009 and Daniel taking 47 wickets in 2010 that the failure to make an impression in the IC may lie elsewhere.
I suppose that's a certain ton and five wickets for the pro at Moylena after this.
Just pleased that we will be in the top flight this season and I think visiting clubs will see Moylena looking better than it ever has, but we will be hoping that's the only good memories they have.

Ivan,

I certainly wont get into a debate re predictions...each to their own on that front, but i will make comment on your comment re our new Pro.

Firstly, Daniel Harding did a very effective job for us last season...a great kid who took a lot of wickets for us and was liked by all. I dare say if Daniels batting had been a bit better/consistent we may well have re-engaged him for 2011 season.

As for the new pro, in Daniels own words "If you guys sign Ian Moran he will give ND a really good chance at pushing all the way in the IC"..."he is the real deal and the best all rounder in Sydney grade"....in fairness Morans record backs this up as do references we received from Andrew Sutherlands contacts in the Sydney cricket scene.

You know as well as i do though that certain pro's take time to adapt to Irish conditions and this may well be the case with Moran as with others in the past. I suppose the only thing that will maybe work in this guys favour is that he has played in the premier league in Scotland and also pro'd for their national team in the C&G trophy so he must have adapted pretty well to pretty similar standard and wickets as what we get in Ireland.

Agreed that Kyle will motivate Waringstown indeed, though i have to be honest and say i thought Jonny Bushe was an excellent captain of their club for many many years and showed great dedication to the role and on field fight.

Lisburn are a good club with some very useful cricketers who could continue to press hard...will be intersting to see if they keep up their top performances in their 175th year after an excellent 2010.

Time as always will tell on all fronts...roll on the new season!!

Happy Christmas to all in Ulster cricket...

Season's greeting to Ivan and all the other website contributors. I was eagerly waiting for the crystal balls to appear and Ivan is the first out of the stalls. Not sure about his finishing order but he got the top six right as it is unlikely any of the bottom four will figure because they lack the strength in depth at the highest level. Its a six team league and maybe even less once the form book settles. Waringstown or North Down? Well, one man doesn't make a team and you may have to eat your words on the North Down pro as I'm sure they wouldn't appoint a lame duck. Lisburn has a big incentive in their 175th year, CI has the buying power if not the playing power but Inst, and CSNI lack consistency. Your bottom four will be the same for everyone who judges it on cricket alone and the order will be determined on how they do against each other as they won't win many against the top six. Two leagues within one league but sometimes the relegation battle can be very exciting.

happy holidays to everyone.Now must be the time for the 2011 perdictions. ( and this is after a few shandies ) Let's see some good holiday debate.

Ncu Premier League
1. Waringstown inspired by Kyle as skipper
2. North Down , not convinced the new pro will have the impact of Harding who took 47 wickets.
3. Instonians depends on who is available and for how many games
4. Lisburn a club building steadily and quietly
5. CIYMS interesting to see how they cope without McMillan AND Heasley
6. CSNI having the 3 Kiwis will keep them safe
7. Muckamore will be hoping that Brian Baguley and Kamy can get a combined 1500 runs and that Neil Gill can get back the form he showed in the past, also that Vde Marve and Coetzee can produce match winning performances with bat and ball.
8. Carrickfergus depends if they can play as a unit under a new skipper.
9. Ballymena , tough debut season for new skipper Simon McDowell with James Kennedy missing for a big part. Still relying on DK and Glassy to produce the goods.
10.Bangor. Apparently with no pro and a lot of regulars missing otherwise capable of top half finish.

Mr. Anonymous - interesting to note that your posting Comes In a Year of Much Spending!

NCU WOMEN’S CRICKET LEAGUE

Last season four NCU clubs fielded a women’s team (as far as I am aware) at one time or another. This increase in interest in the women’s game is very welcome and we wish to see it encouraged as much as possible. With that in mind the four clubs in question have been approached with a view to starting a women’s league in 2011 and both North Down and Waringstown have been very positive to this idea.
The proposal is to base the league along the lines of the midweek cricket league. Ideally a league of at least 4 teams (maximum of 6 league games) would be preferred.
In order to encourage as many women and girls to play, it has also been suggested that anyone who is a member of a club who does not field a women’s team would be able to legitimately play in the women’s league for another club which did.
Any club interested should contact Neale Matthews or any NCU official.
Happy Christmas.
Neale