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Jim... Me ! What did I say ???

Jason, If you did'nt hit the ball, but decide to walk cause the W/Keeper roars at the umpire, even though the umpire agrees with you (No contact). Goodness me, must keep that one in mind, next time I'm bowling at you mate !!!

Davy and Co.
My post regarding cheating etc. was in reference more towards the highest echelons of the game, when compared to other high profile sports, ie. Football, athletics even snooker (Heaven forbid) and many others.

Cricket seems largely free from alot of this skull-duggary, thanks mainly to the modern use of technology, ability to change when change is called for, but most importantly... a 'wee thing' called:
' The Spirit of the game' !!!

" Lest we forget " !!!!!

Alrite Vic?? Just disagree with you on one part of your post regarding the cheating ive played most games for our 2nd eleven this year and one part of 2nd eleven cricket is the inconsistency in the umpiring now im not talking lbws here im talking about getting wided harshley and on more than one instance run outs given not out when the batsmans been out a couple of feet or more, to edges behind not given ive witnessed three times (all the same team) a batsman edging it behind and starting to walk having a look up to see if the umpires given it which in this case there was no finger up and the batsman turned and walked back into his crease now keep in mind here that the umpires a member of his own team ...... is this cheating???

Maxi, I was standing in the non strikers role when you decided to change from a spin bowler back to your normal medium pace, and at least two of the three consecutive wides you bowled I would have given, I have walked on a couple of occasions when i have been caight down the leg side, and could have stood my ground, I have umpired and seen oposition players scream at me about a caught behind, and get most upset at me not raising my finger until they realise that the batsman has walked,
Like you there are cubs that i traditionally expect nothing, but why should I change my beliefs for those that dont believe?
(& for those that want to ridicule lisburn CC, I know of players from Waringstown, Lurgan, Donaghcloney and Downpatrick that had the benefit of their "hired help" in the past.

I wasn't referring to games with "official" umpires - I was posting about games where players are putting their own teammates under pressure to "cheat". My dictionary defines "cheat" as "use unfair play" and I can put it no better. I recall a "heated" aftermatch exchange of views with an opponent (who was old enough to have known better) who told "his" 15 year old umpire that he couldn't be out bowled as the bowler - a certain Ronnie Cook - had broken the wicket at the non-striker's end with his heel in the delivery stride. Thank goodness that I've calmed down since those days!! P.S. just finished watching the Ireland - Canada game on a link posted on the Cricket Europe forum.

RE Davy Gilpin

I am not going to get into a debate about paid players but take Kyle McCallan out of Waringstown matches this season and you would have won very few games. All teams have their own match winners.

Andy

As you say the "umpiring" has been going on for years it even gets to the stage where before you get in the car to go to some places you know your gonna get nothing from who your playing where others are honest and play the game properly, was just thinking about what i said yesterday and the team i mentioned we beat them on the 3 occasions the incidents happened ..... on the subject of walking i was playing against academy 1sts a few weeks ago went to play a cut missed and the keeper went up and i walked but the further i got from the middle i thought to myself i didnt hit that, when meeting the standing umpire after he also asked why i walked as he wouldnt have given it ........ thats stupidity on my part!!!!

I have been reading some of the posts in relation to umpiring and would like to suggest that teams use this opportunity to attend the training organised by the NIACUS. The clubs must realise that if we have more qualified umpires then we could cover all games. You can still play on a Saturday and umpire on a Sunday or during the week. The training course is excellent and is facilitated by Keith Smith, Trevor Magee and Alan Waugh who do a splendid job. So instead of moaning on this forum contact the NIACUS and come and learn more about the laws and umpiring.

Sorry was hear-hearing to the response from Editor not Gary's comments!!

Hear Hear Gary, come back Vic all is forgiven lol !!

Re Davey Gilpin :

So not one person on the Waringstown team receives a single penny from the club then??!!

I was reading about the McMillan ton and the Waringstown support not appreciating it. We were all scattered around the ground and some of us clapped some of us did not. I thought it was a great knock from a great player. But some of our supporters think he and others are getting paid a lot which they disagree with. Look at it this way McMillian 104 (paid), Heasley 54 ( I think) (Paid), McCord 49* and 3 wickets (paid) Take those players out of that match and we win.

Re Wayne Horwood

While you are sunning yourself and probably trying to decide wether the 6's you hit on Saturday were really worth 10 or even 12 don't give up on the NCU. Things will change, new blood and new ideas will come through and people like you have a lot to offer. Yes it can be frustrating but as we know " change is challenging " and we all have heavy demands on our time these days.
I agree not having our major cup competition sponsored is a poor show and I know there are companies not currently involved in cricket that may get involved but why the secrecy.

On the topic of cricket at lower league level a Task Force has been set up by the NCU to look at this and I have been invited to be part of that. We are having our first meeting tomorrow night and any ideas on league structures, playing times, etc etc any one has are welcome. Email me your thoughts as again the more voices that are heard the better. Club cricket and the hours of work being put in at schools and underage level is and always will be the lifeblood of the sport.
Interestingly I spent the weekend at two club games in England and they have similar issues.

selective umpiring "down the leagues" has been going on for years. I recall a game in which the captain of a 4th XI railed at a 15 year old for giving a 2nd LBW in the innings with the remark "you've already given one". Made himself look a complete plonker! Players at that level should not be putting wee lads under pressure but should be helping them by walking, etc. As for the game dying - see my past postings on the marked reduction in the number of teams playing cricket in NCU. I'm old enough to remember a 4th Division so please don't tell me about these 100s of wee lads who are turning up at practices - they are not staying in the game as they get older & no-one seems to be asking why.

Unfortunately as you say Jason, it can and does happen at junior cricket 2nd level and below, although it should'nt be the case, no matter what the standard, especially as alot of younger players start off playing lower down the leagues and first impressions can be hard to forget, as the saying goes !

However, encouraging reading about the great enthusiasm shown by clubs and their innovative and hard working members, bringing the game to local schools and developing youth teams and strenghtening not only their own teams and set-up, but the game of cricket as well.

As the last poster says, their effort and contributions are invaluable and every club needs these type of people for cricket to thrive & prosper.

The real unsung hero's of our sport !

Challenge Cup Sponsorship. I honestly am not sure if the ncu want sponsorship. I made contact with 2 very senior ncu officials when Down Democratic stated they were not renewing.

I was doing a lot of work with a large financial institution who wanted exposure to NI at a modest price.

The only response I got was we have it under control.

Well the fact there is no sponsor and I have not had any more contact says it all in my book.

Closed shop, no interest in new thoughts, new ideas. Crack on lads in raising sponsors but if you try to help you may get the door closed.

You can rest assured I will not be offering my assistance again.

Re Cricket Dying

I tend to agree with Stevie Maxwell on this one. I think there are definately kids out there who would play cricket if introduced to it but the problem is that clubs have to go out and get them and this takes dedication, committment and effort from personnell within the club. I think part of the problem is that clubs do not have an abudance of people with these characteristics and that is harming cricket at youth level. With so many other influences out there cricket could be seen as the last thing kids would want to do, but in actual fact we have seen evidence of kids enjoying it when having been introduced to it.

I guess it's like everything, if you or your club don't put the effort in to drive youth forward then the results won't be so good and numbers will die.