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Dundrum CC Youth Team Undertakes a 3 day tour to Dumfries
Jeff Maguire
Dundrum Cricket Club
Jeff Maguire reports on a very successful underage youth tour to Dumfries in Scotland for Dundrum CC
Dundrum Cricket Club recently undertook an under-16 cricket tour to Scotland, their fifth trip to the United Kingdom in five years. The club might be struggling at senior level but their commitment to promote junior cricket is exceptional. The minibus picked up the 12 players and four coaches and off to breakfast on Larne boat then onto Cairndale hotel in Dumfries and the squad took to the swimming pool.
Sadly, the match on Monday evening was postponed but quick-change plans was off to Carlisle for ten pin bowling which entertained both players and competitive coaches.
Dumfries CC, the oldest club in Scotland and the superb ex international ground, hosting our first ever two innings 25 overs game. Dundrum chose to bat and the captain led by example as Rhys Philips top scored with 37 runs. Dundrum scored 129 for 8. Tom Ruddington (23 not out) put on a 61-run partnership with Rhys while Jedd Campbell hit a quickfire 13.
The pick off the bowling was both openers Alistair Little 1 for 21, Sean Thornley 1 for 16 and Luke McBurnie 3 for 15.
Dumfries have a super young 16-year-old Indian all-rounder Adam Malik (he was in nets straight after games big future ) and he put on a masterclass innings of 81, the fact that no other player scored double figures was down to his class and good field placings by targeting the other batsmen. Dumfries scored 133 for 8 with the wickets shared between Rhys Philips (2 for 26) and Adam Colgan (2 for 8). It was good to see wicket keeper Joshua Maguire (2 for 17) back bowling as he pitched it up and hit the stumps twice in his first over and Tom Crudgington 1 for 20.
The clouds gathered and light rain fell and so the format was changed and called the game an honourable draw.
After a splendid tea the coaches from both teams decided on a 16 over game and Dundrum learned quickly about setting fields and pitching the ball up bowling Dumfries out for 73. Tom Crudgington picked up the prize wicket of Adam Malik again top score for 17, very well caught by the only girl on tour Erin Busby (who was excellent in the field in all three games). Adam Colgan (2 for 12) was tour leading wicket taker.
Dundrum quickly went on the attack with the Philips brothers putting on a 58-run partnership with Rhys run out for 19 but Rhodri was in aggressive mood scoring 35 not out and Joshua Maguire 3 not out and chased the 73 in only in ten overs. After the match Dumfries CC put on a barbeque and it was off back to the hotel for an early night for some.
The next day after morning swimming the tour set off to another fine club St Michaels Cricket Club and got be said hospitality from both clubs was superb. It was a nice green wicket after so much rain - well done to Sandy McNay.
The home side captain agreed to bat first as Dundrum wanted to try and bowl and bat as many players as possible. The coaches said pitch it up and Rhodri Philips did just that getting 2 early wickets, one a very good catch by Jedd Campbell as stand in wicket keeper. After leg spinner Tom Crudgington bowled Ronan Wilson with his second ball to leave the score 35 for 3 of six overs it looked like a one-sided game.
St Michaels captain Finlay Jack took the lead and both him and opener Reece McNay went after some very short poor bowling that didn't please the coaches on a wicket made for line and length. Both batsmen just sat back and played some classy shots (and the odd hoik!). St Michaels posted a cracking total off 150, after a partnership off 115, with man of the match Reece McNay 83 not out (including 14 boundaries) and skipper Finlay Jack a hard hitting 45 not out including the only six.
Dundrum coaches after talking with captain Luke Williamson, who excellently marshalled a very young team including seven u-13 players, it was agreed to go out attack and try chase it down as even in friendlies this squad is competitive and that's great to see. Dundrum reached 35 for two off six tight overs from Conor Lynch and a very good young girl bowler Niamh Muir (2 for 27) who will play at highest level. The home side looked well in control but this young Dundrum team went on the attack as they had nothing to lose. A superb 116 run partnership from the u-13 stars - the outstanding player of the tour Rhodri Philips (whose fielding was also exceptional) scored a superb hard hitting 67 not out (with eight boundaries) and Tom Crudgington with fantastic support. They rotated well and also ran well – they put the bad ball away - Tom scored a classic 51 not out to chase the total with six balls to spare.
All the games played in great spirit to end their very successful tour unbeaten which was amazing considering 7 u-13 players all featuring and i have no doubt it was the main reason that Dundrum u-13 won their league semi-final two days later when they looked beaten as the drew on the tour experience to pull off a massive win against a premiership u-13 team that were well on top.
Dundrum have a fantastic set of unpaid coaches from minis to u -15 and no better place than the meadow for fun and they give boys and girls a great chance to enjoy the great game off cricket and plans under way for senior and junior tours away next year.

T20
Taverners V Victoria XI
Chambers Park
Wednesday 8th August
6pm start

If you've any spare time time on your hands tommorw evening, the place to be for some cricket action is Chambers Pk Portadown where the Taveners, riding high on the back of a very successful season, including their recent exciting victory in the border cup final, face off against a Victoria select in a 'friendly' derby game.
Rumour has it that Portadown will be at full strength for this match and include a newly signed, formidable all rounder, keen to lock horns with the auld enemy and stamp his authority over the course of the match with a view to showcase his potential talent for next season?

Personally, I'd say based on previous history between these two age old, mid Ulster derby rivals, whatever the outcome, it's sure to be another thriller....

http://www.theulstercricketer.com/features/calebs-memory/534

Lurgan win Gallagher Women's Challenge Cup Final
Lurgan won the Gallagher Women's Challenge Cup Final in a thrilling encounter at Stormont this afternoon, by two wickets. In a low scoring game CSNI were bowled out for 69, with Rachel Thomas top scoring with 16 runs. The pick of the Lurgan bowling attack was Alex Craig who took three wickets for only three runs.
CSNI fought back strongly in the field as they reduced Lurgan to 30 for 5, before a thirty run partnership between Chloe Neville and Suzie McCollum took the County Armagh side to within ten runs of victory. Still CSNI were not finished, taking another three wickets to take the final into the last over. Nikhita Gondhia, Abi Leckey, and Jemma Gillan proved the most effective bowlers for CSNI as they shared seven of the Lurgan wickets. Sophie Hinds hit the winning runs with only two balls to spare, to ensure Lurgan retained the trophy.
Suzie McCollum was named player of the match, top scoring with 14, to add to two wickets in the CSNI innings.

The Northern Cricket Union has selected an Under 17's squad, captained by Abbi Leckey, to play the North West Under 17's, on Tuesday 7th August, at Coleraine Cricket Club (11:30am).
NCU Under 17 Squad
Abbi Leckey - CSNI (Captain)
Jennifer Hanna - Donacloney Mill
Rachel Hanna - Donacloney Mill
Sophie Hinds - Lurgan (Wicket Keeper)
Lois Lyttle - Donacloney Mill
Emma McMurray - Lurgan
Emily Mathers - Donacloney Mill
Molly Mathers - Donacloney Mill
Katie Palin - Instonians
Samantha Todd - Lurgan
Freya Watson - Instonians
Coach, Chris Elliott said, 'The girls are looking forward to playing the North West Under 17's in Coleraine. Both teams play the game in great spirit, and always have close matches against one another. This was shown after the two previous Twenty 20's at Stormont. The Under 17's have trained hard and this has made selection for the game very tough. The side will be Captained by Abbi Leckey from CSNI and we wish her and the girls all the very best for the game'.

Banoge Cup Final U 13 postponed after heavy rain at Belmont.
Unplayable.

Gribben & Watt Financail Planning Ltd Quoile Cup Final (Under 11)
Instonians CC and Lisburn CC will contest the Gribben & Watt Financial Planning Ltd Quoile Cup Final (Under 11), on Thursday 2nd August, at Derriaghy Cricket Club, Queensway.
Queensway is located on the main Belfast to Lisburn Road.
The competition is sponsored for the first time by Lisburn based Independent Financial Advisor Gribben & Watt Financial Planning Ltd.

What a pleasure it was to play for the Northern Knights Legends X1 v. Australian touring team at Woodvale today. To play alongside the other 10 Legends was fabulous.
I hope my rousing team talk was inspirational.
The distribution of sandpaper to all the bowlers.
The sheer fun of playing this wonderful game.
Thanks to Uel and Leslie for the organisation.
NCU should organise more of these games.
Perhaps a return fixture in Sydney!!!!!

As some-one who has known him for almost 60 years, it is with deep regret that I learned of Jackie Gaw’s death and with his passing another part of Woodvale ends. From playing against him in the 60s right up to the past couple of years when he wasn’t all that well, I have always enjoyed his company. His dedication to the club was always evident and our more recent conversations where he talked, with feeling, about the issues facing Woodvale showed where his heart lay. Whenever he was around nobody ever left Ballygomartin Road thirsty(!) especially after the club’s awards nights. My sympathy goes to Anton and the family at this sad time.

The final of the NCU Quoile Cup (U11) will be played at Derriaghy CC on Thursday 2 August at 6pm between Lisburn and Instonians.
The competition is sponsored by Gribben & Watt Financial Planning Ltd, Lisburn.
All supporters will be made most welcome.

Re Andy and commentators.
Andy I would suggest 80% of the cricketing playing, watching and indeed umpiring public would make the same mistake.
And like all of the above groups even those who do know it can always make mistakes whatever our gender.
Plenty of worse commentators on telly for valid reasons.

Taverners in action.
CMA V Taverners
Wednesday 6pm
@Banford green (Millpark)

Ed may I say a big congrats to Waringston on their double success over the weekend, both chases were serene as at no stage did I think they were in any trouble at all. Adam Dennison and James Hall in different matches guided the men from The Lawn from the front. Excellent coverage from Cricket Europe Ireland through Ian Callendar and even though I am not on twitter 2 men by the names of Johnny Morton and Ollie Thorpe get my congrats for the updates on both finals at The Lawn on Sunday
Also well done to Downpatrick on their success in winning against Holywood and looking at the photos of the two matches it seemed a good crowd gathered for the 2 Finals and well done the groundstaff for getting the matches on after Saturdays downpors but the ground needed it badly
Looking forward now to the Womens Final between Lurgan and CSNI next Sunday at Stormont this will be my 2nd Womens Final following as Merrion play Clontarf on Friday (live streming on Cricket Leinster TV) from my new phone. Good to see the Women getting the attention they deserve after the Women qualified for the West Indies in November

The Final of the Banogue Cup will be contested by CIYMS and Instonians on Friday 3 August 2018 at Belmont.
The game will commence at 6.00pm.

When, oh when are female cricket commentators going to learn the difference between ‘wicket’ & ‘pitch’? If Sky are going to follow this #metoo agenda then please ensure they appear to know what they are talking about.