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Belfast jewellers, Gardiner Brothers, are continuing their association with the Northern Cricket Union as new sponsors of the NCU Women’s senior leagues. The Premier league will be known as the NCU Gardiner Brothers Women’s Premier League.

Emerging Knights Fixtures in Dublin
The Northern Cricket Union (NCU) has announced an Emerging Knights squad to play two, 50 over fixtures, on Sunday 22nd and Monday 23rd July (10:45am), against Leinster Lightning Bolts, at North County and Pembroke Cricket Clubs, respectively.
Emerging Knights Squad
Mark Adair
Aditya Adey
Luke Allison
Jack Burton
Peter Eakin
Sam Gordon
Alex Haggan
Archie Johnston
Matthew McCord
Jamie Magowan
Reece Malone
John Matchett
Morgan Topping
Aaron Wright
Uel Graham, NCU Cricket Operations and Administration Manager, said, 'It is worth noting that these fixtures are going ahead when there are Clear Currency Irish Cup Quarter finals featuring CSNI and Waringstown, and a Robinson Services Premier League game involving Instonians and Armagh, which impacted on player availability. It is also a busy week of NCU activity when both the Under 11's and Under 14's are at the West Cricket Festival in Taunton, and the Under 16's are playing Jersey Under 15's as part of their preparation for the Under 16 Festival in August'.

Hi Ed I am very surprised you did not pull me up on the date of the 2 T20 Cup Final matches being this coming Sunday, an error on my behalf it should have been for the 29th July

Well done to Templepatrick on their T20 win over BISC on Thursday night. I will leave the tipping alone this week in the NCU Prem after my nightmare last week but my predictions stand in the rearanged Irish and National Cup matches from last week

Anyone fancy game at Millpark this Sunday 25 overs playing a young Indian touring team run by Mansing Nigade former Donaghcloney all rounder contact Jeff 02843751442 /07730334479 maybe Alan Chambers fancy game ?

Caleb, you know how competitive our matches are, you played last time. It was tense right to the final ball, and everyone enjoyed it.
Isn't a good game of cricket the priority regardless of standard or venue for the event?
Makes you wonder if 'grass roots' cricket is a misunderstood term, and is mistakenly applied to youth cricket at the expense of lower league cricket and mixed abilities friendly matches...Al

Border league final confirmed
Dungannon V Portadown Taverners
Dungannon park
25th July at 6:30....

Kudos Alan for keeping these games going, a few guys that play with us on Saturday also play in the boarder league tournament and tell me of its competitive standard and how it's always played in fine spirit and who knows, perhaps a new team may emerge next season for Saturday cricket or maybe in may spark enough interest for some recently folded clubs to reform and similarly enter the NCU leagues?
At present there are 33 teams between Premier and section 2, divided accordingly 8, 10, 15, the latter only play each other during the course of the season, but with the addition of one more side, then for 2019, it may be more practical and satisfactory to reestablish the old section 3 again, e.g. 8, 10, 8, 8, or 8, 8, 9, 9, whatever formula as both = 34 teams.
This way means that all sides play each other home and away as is traditional which in my humble opinion, equates to a more harmonious and fairer opportunity as each team is able to reflect their overall ability twice against the same opposition over the course of the season?

We're still waiting on confirmation but the details should be.
Border league final between Dungannon and Taverners will be at Dungannon park on 25th July at 6:30....

Alan,
What are the details regarding the Border League play-offs on 25 July?

Alan - Unfortunately I have a prior engagement as church warden or I’d willingly take up the invite with, as we say up here, with a heart and a hand. I remember going down to Donacloney one evening for a under-age friendly against Victoria. A really game enjoyable experience of wee lads giving 100% in what I would describe as ‘real cricket’! I can’t speak for Ronnie but from what I read on another social media he may be busy at Woodvale sorting out equipment!!

Taverners in action this Sunday.
Taverners v Cooke Collegians III XI
12 noon start
30 overs.
If anyone called Kennedy or McAlpine would like to come and umpire, you will be most welcome.

Well Ed a pity re the ISC Quarters all being postponed and only two in the National Cup. Rush is coming to the boil and is now favourites after Kerrys' demise at home to Galway. A gentle shocker in the tipping in the league with only the expected Waringstown win v Armagh.
May I wish both BISC and Templepatrick the best of luck in the first T20 final on Thursday up North and looking forward to the double header on Sunday with Holywood v Downpatrick in the Trophy and Waringstown v CSNI both at The Lawn will be following both of them whilst looking at the Open Golf

And finally can anyone tell me when the Lurgan v CSNI Womens Final will take place and it was also nice to see Cara Murray represent her country at the T20 qualis maybe if Hannah was'nt playing in the Hockey she would have made the squad at least

I don’t have any statistical evidence but my experience over the past few seasons has been that the side batting second in a DLS ‘situation’ usually wins.

The Lagan Valley Steels Twenty 20 Shield, played for by teams in League Section 2, takes place on Thursday 19th July (6pm), at the Cloughan, Ballyclare, between Templepatrick and Belfast International Sports Club (BISC).
Templepatrick reached the final with a five wicket victory over Cliftonville Academy in the first round, followed by comprehensive victories over Cooke Collegians and Dundrum by nine wickets and 166 runs respectively.
BISC's path to the Shield final involved a win by 89 runs against Victoria, and then wins over Ards, and Donaghadee.
The home team was decided by a draw at the Competition Committee, on 26th June.

re Andy Kennedy think you are taking my post as an attack on the umpires on the day, nothing is further from the truth all i done was highlighted the situation and asked that if my view on this was wrong that someone tell my why i'm wrong.
still think its an advantage to side fielding 2nd as opening bowler was able to give his all in his opening spell then have a half hour break and complete his spell against batsmen having to start again. NB i'm told the opening bowler hasn't bowled his 10 overs straight through all season.