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The Annual General Meeting, taking place at the Civic Centre, Lagan Valley Island, Lisburn, on Tuesday 9 October 2018, commencing at 7.30pm.

Any further queries should be directed to Bryan Milford, General Secretary of the Northern Cricket Union. Mobile: 07828 182090

North Down Coach Craig Yelverton leads the Futura Sports Agency Academy and would like to invite any prospective cricketer over the ages of 17 who is looking take their pre season to a new level to join our program based in Durban South Africa. Have a look at our video from this year's program and get in touch.
Craig can be contacted via email -
craigwy@futurasports.co.za
YouTube video -
https://youtu.be/EpwCI_SMWyY

I was reading at the weekend that there is a growing demand from the IFA towards playing Irish League games from February to October .
What effect do readers of the Forum think this could have on local cricket?

Board confirms Malahide to host England ODI in 2019 and other outcomes from recent Board Meeting
CORK – The Board of Cricket Ireland has confirmed that Malahide Cricket Club in Dublin has been designated as the venue to host a one-day international against England in May 2019, as part of a wider-ranging endorsement of a plan to overhaul venue allocation policies and procedures for marquee fixtures, at its recent Board Meeting held at Cork County Cricket Club on 12 September 2018.
The one-day international (ODI), to be held on Friday 3 May 2019, was initially announced in June 2018 as part of the release of the ICC Future Tours Programme (FTP), with the Board now confirming that Malahide will be the host venue (subject to finalisation of terms with the host club).
The allocation of the fixture was part of the Board’s broader consideration of venue allocation policies, with an overhaul of procedures now underway ahead of the first full year as part of the FTP, with further announcements in due course for the remainder of the 2019 programme
Warren Deutrom, Chief Executive of Cricket Ireland, said:
“We are, of course, looking forward to our first Test match against England at Lord’s Cricket Ground in July 2019, but we are equally eagerly anticipating hosting England in an ODI here in Ireland ahead of the Test.
“We expect there will be immense interest in the match, as it will be seen by England as a key part of their preparations ahead of the 2019 Cricket World Cup in England. We look forward to working with, and continuing to enjoy the generous support of, Malahide Cricket Club, Fingal County Council and other local stakeholders for what should be another great cricket event.”
“Planning is underway for this encounter and we would anticipate tickets going on sale before the end of 2018.
“As it stands, in 2019 we will have four Full Member national men’s teams visiting our shores, playing in different formats. The importance of venue allocation for these fixtures is crucial in providing the best conditions we can for our national side, while trying to manage the usual wear-and-tear that pitches endure over a season for the inter-provincial sides and clubs that also use those grounds.
“The Board considered this issue in detail and has endorsed the development of a new Match Allocation Policy for international and Inter-Provincial matches in Ireland. This move recognises the increased demand on our international-rated grounds given our entrance into the FTP.”
“We currently have just four international-rated grounds in Ireland – Malahide, Clontarf, Stormont and Bready. The challenge of using club grounds for international matches is that when it comes to access, infrastructure and pitch quality there are competing demands and expectations between users of those grounds.”
“As part of the discussions, the Board raised the matter of recent comment on the standard of pitches at Stormont. I said the day after we became a Full Member last year that our biggest deficit in infrastructure and human resource was in facilities, and it would take years to change. We have invested thousands in new ground covers, people and transportation of equipment / experienced ground-staff this year to offset the impact of poor weather, but we know being on a par with the older Test nations in the whole area of playing facility development, preparation and management is a much longer-term project.”
“Managing pitch conditions and facilities in general, and taking a strategic approach to where we host matches – taking into consideration pitches, home advantage, revenue generation, cost and geographical spread – will become ever more important with increased international matches over coming years. This is also why we are also exploring the construction of a new cricket stadium – not to take international matches away from existing venues, but rather to provide dedicated, durable cricket facilities and to spread the fixture load across our already busy grounds.”
Next year will be the first full year that Ireland is part of the FTP, but Deutrom sees the programme as an opportunity for Ireland to ensure its policies and facilities are fit-for-purpose.
“One of the operational frustrations of having been outside of the FTP was this very constraint on our ability to plan forward in terms of allocating venues. This had the knock-on impact for domestic fixture scheduling and short-to-medium term financial modelling. Now, with our entrance into the FTP, we are in a position to know our marquee fixtures for the foreseeable future, and allocate matches to venues accordingly. We see this providing benefits in relation to venue planning, building a case for venues to engage with funding authorities to seek infrastructure development funding, and enabling us to market/promote our sport with greater certainty,” said Mr Deutrom.
“The Board has recognised that our existing Match Allocation Policy was drawn up five years ago when the Irish cricket landscape was very different to now – in particular the quantity of major matches to allocate, our ICC status, the hosting of Test cricket, and developments in ICC venue standards.”
“The Board’s decision will enable Cricket Ireland to work closer with Provincial Unions and clubs to create a sustainable network of cricket venues across this island.”

Hi
The Club Facilities Grant Fund is open now for applications and we at Cartwrights Sports would very much like to help your Club if you are considering making an application for grant funding.
We would be very grateful if you would allow us to provide your Club with a quote for whatever equipment etc. you are interested in purchasing using this grant.
Some of the facilities/equipment we can supply include: -
• Refurbishment of artificial pitches/practice areas;
• Installations of new playing/practice pitches;
• Mobile covers;
• Sight screens;
• Netting;
• Flat sheets &
• Water removal machines
The list is not exhaustive so please contact us about your Clubs requirements.
All Clubs who obtain a quote and finalise business with us will be entered into a draw and the winning Club will receive £100 worth of cricket balls for the 2019 season.
Hope this is of interest to all Clubs and I look forward to hearing from you.
Contact me at john@cartwrights-sports.co.uk or give me a call on 07812203281.

Please find attached an e-mail link from Cricket Ireland detailing The Cricket Ireland Club Facilities Grant. The grant assists cricket clubs to improve grounds, pavilions and equipment, through the Provincial Union support structure to clubs.

http://bit.ly/Grants_Funding

Evening all
Just a quick email of thanks on behalf of the NCU Invitational XI to Woodvale CC for hosting a thoroughly enjoyable day (as usual) at Ballygomartin Road in memory of Jackie Gaw.
It really was a gathering of the great and good of Woodvale CC and as Stephen Warke said in his speech of thanks to all, Jackie would have been in his element.
Thanks to Les Irwin who was the organiser, Anton Gaw as skipper, Colin Storey for the excellent food, Ian Johnston for taking the photos, Cecil Robinson and Ronnie McAlpine for umpiring and the rest of the Woodvale lads for making it a great afternoon to renew friendships etc
The Invitational XI certainly enjoyed the occasion and as Les said, if there was the chance to make it an annual game, the consensus was, count us in!
Cheers
Ricky Finlay

A charity memorial match dedicated to the late Jackie Gaw will be held at Ballygomartin Rd tomorrow Friday 14th September at 2pm between a Woodvale select XI and an NCU XI. All proceeds will go to Jackies chosen charity, Macmillan Cancer Care. everyone is welcome.
Woodvale XI
Anton Gaw
Marty McKeown
Ricky Warnock
Stephen Warke
Alann Rutherford
Thomas Rutherford
Davy Scott
Kyle Fitzsimmons
Les Irwin
Colin Storey
Simon Swaby
NCU XI
Ricky Finlay
Alan Woods
Callum Atkinson
Michael Turkington
Uel Grahame
Johnny Terret
Colin Andrews
Michael Foster
Trevor McKeown
Paul Stafford
Billy Adams

After near 25 years of playing cricket, today I had my first opportunity
to watch a complete game above and beyond my own league,
and yes indeed, what an excellent advertisement it was for local cricket
at the iconic Wallace Park setting. Lisburn entertaining Donacloney in a
thrilling match with the home side too strong on the day, though
the absence of the holidaying Dawson and a bad ankle injury during play
to the 'Cloney skipper, surely hampered their run chase, but take
nothing away from Lisburn, an exciting and very talented all round outfit,
doubtless well worthy of the league championship.
And as it transpired, providence being what it is, Donacloney maintain
league status, they have a fine, eclectic mix of players and in my humble
opinion, certainly did not deserve the dreaded drop.
And what's more, I sure enjoyed myself, despite one minor complaint
that is...
My Big Day Out

I packed my flask and sandwiches, took seat by picket fence
the watching crowd expectant, boy, they got a show,
fine bowling, superb batsmanship, no quarter given nor asked
many dignitaries in attendance, from now and long ago

Though late in the season, rain tried, but did not spoil the day
as after all, Mother Nature appreciates a game of cricket,
two hundred runs accumulated, the batsmen, they dug deep
though bowling, fielding excellent, well earned each wicket

Turn around after splendid tea, home side determined to defend
their bowlers took a stranglehold, backed up in the field,
try as they might, visiting batsmen, could not get a partnership
despite late lusty blows, wickets fell, a home win was sealed

So when all is said and done, someone must win, someone lose
it's why we enjoy the game and I got to meet important folk,
everyone so very cordial and polite, when I introduced myself
told them I'm a cricketer too, alas, they'd never heard of such a bloke?

(Well that's it done & dusted for another season, and if the great umpire in the sky doesn't raise his almighty index finger on my innings to date, hope to see you all again next year... winter well friends)

I've grown tired of the, 'Charles McCrum playing for so many clubs and mercenary' jibes over the years.
In more recent years I have played for some clubs and coached fitness and cricket voluntarily. I brought proper hard ball cricket and competitive games back to Edenderry primary school where I coached at one stage for 4 years. It's all non stereotyped coaching.
Why it is necessary to use my name for a recent comment on the forum is beyond me. It says a lot to me about local cricket culture when playing for so many clubs seems to have been my main association with the game.

Look on the bright side Andy. Very important relegation fixture this Sunday in Junior 1. At least one side can play their 8 unstarred players.... it should make for a high quality contest.

Paddy
It was a joke statement not in any way meant to be taken seriously just a bit if banter as I know the umpire and hopefully most saw it as a bit of fun sorry if anybody thought otherwise and mr ed apologies.

Good luck to those teams preparing for their final, all important league defining games this weekend, but whatever the outcome, I reckon we all owe our president an enormous amount of thanks and gratitude for his sterling service and no small amount of effort he has given during his term in office...

A salute to the President
A former Comber, North Down resident
2018, accepted office of NCU president
a once fine cricketer, this dapper gent
with welcome smile and posh accent
like a meandering, migrating goose brent
at every cricket club, he did frequent

A distinguished General will cement
moral of battalion and thus augment
fair play, bravery, discourage dissent
instil principle, encourage and ferment
that's how he played, so where he went
his badge of honour, proud to represent

Be it illustrious kingpins, crowning advent
or awaiting minnows, chance to ascent
he graced each venue with joyful intent
and if the weather would turn inclement
open his umbrella or stand under a tent
'Carpe diem' .. he knew what that meant

We may not see his like again, our lament
for his seat in throne, just a yearly event
with players and supporters, had consent
made his mark, indelible imprint, his present
autographed books, no payment nor rent..
Thank you Clarence, forever indebted to the highest extent!

And what about JH Cook!! On a separate issue, the jungle drums have been remarkably quiet on the subject of the administration of the self-styled ‘master race’s’ starring process!!

Ref :- davyboy, How distasteful a comment is this ?
Nearly a "gratuitous personal attack", Mr. Ed. ?
Just think if Charles McCrum had decided to join the umpiring ranks. By this piece of twisted logic, Ian Houston would have struggled to find a game for him to stand in !