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Some exciting draws alright in the Challenge-Cup, the highlight for me would be the second round, a local derby (if both teams get through rnd.1)
Lurgan-v-Donaghcloney... should get plenty of punters through the gates of whichever club has home draw.
And well played England on their convincing Ashes series win, praise especially should go to Broad & Finn's replacements Tremlett & Bresslin who were outstanding and more than justified their inclusion in the 1st team.
Re. Jim.
Not sure about why there was a lack of champagne when the Aussie squad has Bollinger in it!
Cook did get the Compton/Miller medal about half an hour later, Tubby Taylor was just a fairly shambolic host for the presentation. I'm sure it will mean more than the perspex Vodafone bat!
Neal
Thanks for letting me know (you were not the only one!).
I hope you’ll let me off this time as I did it last night while watching the end of the Ashes and was probably a bit distracted!
It is now fixed on the NCU site
The other senior cup draws should be on the site as the day progesses
Are the Aussie Cricketing authorities poor losers? No champers for the winners and no medal for Cooke. Disgraceful.
Just seen the draws for the Challenge Cup and Junior Cup and there are a few interesting ties in there.
On the Junior Cup front I take it the Third Round should be L v M, N v O etc... instead of the way it is currently on the NCU homepage ( just means if clubs work it out now they won't be playing who they think if they reach that round ).
Potential in there for Academy v Waringstown 2s if both teams win their 1st two games. If that does happen it will be the 4th year in a row they will have faces each other.
home to North Down ...... thats a nice easy draw for us lol
am goin to have to ask around our club dont think the 2 clubs have ever played before???
Andy K, whilst I agree with some of what u say regarding the poor state of Aussie cricket at the minute, I think you are selling England short. As average as Australia are, they have been convincingly outplayed in all but one test, and I would suggest Perth was due to English complacency more than anything else. Personally I think only South Africa could be ranked above them, and recent series' have shown there is little difference.
In relation to the English south African enhancements, that's probably a bit harsh too. Only trott and your fave kp were brought up outside England, and the vast majority of the young players on the periphery of the side are all home-grown too. Anyway, the more south Africans they have, the less Irish boys they're going to poach off us!!
Jason
Millpark have been drawn at home to North Down in the second round of the Challenge Cup (You received a bye in the First Round)
Anyone kno when the challenge cup draw is released???
1st and 2nd round draw is tonight
so Jim agrees with the less than gracious comments that his mate "Colly" made about Irish cricket being a waste of time? Clearly Mark Taylor had a different opinion a few years ago when he brought a full side, including McGrath & Warne to Eglinton. As for "Colly's" retirement from Test cricket I wonder did he jump before he was pushed. 5 innings with a total of 70 runs, a highest score of 42 against a relatively poor bowling attack and 1 wicket for 63! Certainly there was room for improvement. And I won't comment on his run scoring the year they won the Ashes & he was awarded the MBE. Using that criteria then the likes of Lexie Millar up in the NWCU must be in line for a knighthood! England are to be congratulated on retaining the Ashes but I'm sure that even the most ardent fan will agree that it is all relative. I'm sure there are many who like me have really been surprised at how far Australian cricket has sunk to the level of "ordinariness" as the present squad. I was listening to a debate during a rain break in a previous Test where Craig Blewitt was giving a few reasons for the decline such as, less cricket being played in schools, a more sedentary population, etc., factors that are common throughout the world. The main difference between England and the rest of the Test nations is that they have looked to South Africa, etc. to enhance their team. Not that this is a modern thing - it happened a few years ago with the importation of a certain Zimbabwean to Worcestershire. Perhaps the talented Irish will get a chance now that "Colly" has jumped ship.The big question was "would he go before Laurence McKeown of Northern Ireland Water?"!!
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!?
NCU Challenge Cup Rounds 1 and 2 is this Thursday, January 6th
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!
Just keeping them guessing!
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!
