Forum

I do of course welcome other people's opinions and would like to hear what players and clubs think of new clothing for the Umpires. However I do feel that the NIACUS is independent of clubs and we have received full support from Cricket Ireland for our new clothing. The much bigger issue for me is to encourage new umpires as I believe that many clubs do not realise that we are moving to a day where Umpires will be restricted to a few matches. But please I ask you to give us your opinion. It will assist our development.

Re Jim
To be fair to (my fellow umpiring colleague) Andy I had put a posting on that new fangled thing called Facebook at the weekend reporting what Larne 2nds match secretary had texted me (about Saintfield not having enough trainers) but when I discovered the correct reason for the match being postponed I myself corrected my posting there.

Larne Vs Saintfield - Div 2 Section 2

The rule book states that non turf pitches on appropriately graded grounds may only be used for:
'Match 2' fixtures for this section.

Therefore the game should never have been arranged for this ground at the fixtures meeting. However, unless of course both teams had a gentlemans agreement to 'just play cricket' and not make it known that the game was played on astro.
It all depends on who actually knew what....Larne obviously knew the game was 'not going to be legal' but if Saintfield knew this when organised in January - its bad news they are claiming the points. However if they didnt realise this until the week before, I guess only Larne are to blame.
I am glad I am not involved in any committee that needs to sort these problems.
I also hear that in this league another team tried to claim points over another team as they had no ground - as the 1st XI took the ground for a senior cup game.

Maybe this is one for the AGM and clubs to allow teams outside Div 1 to play on astro at any time?

Andy K.

Not " doing teas " More !

Templepatrick CC Golf Day
Greenacres Golf club tee times from 12-2pm followed by BBQ at the cloughan from 7pm

£20 per player
For further information contact secretary@templepatrickcc.co.uk

Cheers

Wylie,

Andy is only trying to wind people up. I heard the facts which you kindly put on the forum at the weekend. Andy, you should really get the facts before using index finger

Isn't that the point of a forum ?

Everyone can chip in with their opinion,great to have a say on all things about local cricket or further afield, and the one thing about the Ulster Cricketer,whether your the Big Cheese,or the 'small fry',theres no distinction..... everyone gets a speak !

Super stuff and keep it going, The Ulster Cricketer !

thanks for that Wylie - its funny how things get distorted. Hope the one about a team not "doing teas" is in the same category.

Re Jonathan Lyttle
You're having a laugh right?!? YOU were the one who introduced the topic of Umpires' new clothing on to the forum. I (and clearly others) was unaware that we were not allowed to provide our opinion.

If you don't wish for something to be commented on, don't introduce it on to a forum.

Re:Andy and no spikes
None whatsoever - Larne's match secretary miss-heard what the Saintfield match secretary told him when they said they would not be coming down to Larne.
The reason it was cancelled was that Saintfield were informed that the match could be voided as Division 2, Section 2 games are not allowed to be played on artificial wickets unless it is the re-arranged match – hence they decided not to travel.
I should point out that when the fixture was made and put in to the NCU fixture book, Saintfield were told that the match would be at Larne Rugby club and on an artificial wicket as Larne firsts were already due to play that day at the main ground at Sandy Bay. They were happy with this at the time.

Any word on when the draw for the next round of the Ulster Shield is?

The introduction of new clothing is the way forward and should be considered so by all. If you watch games at a higher level umpires have moved away from traditional look and the new look is far from tacky as some may think. We debated the colours and type of clothing during the winter and the Association was quite happy to proceed with new outfits. We must move with the times. When the international fixtures are played at Stormont would you describe our colleagues as being tacky? Players should be thankful to have umpires and concentrate on their game. The response from my Umpire colleagues for the new clothing was excellent with a 95% take up rate and the efforts of Noel McCarey in securing our the new clothing was excellent. So lets be positive and move on with the times and stop thinking about the past. I must however add that new clothing will not attract umpires to the game but clubs will soon have to address this issue as we are reaching the stage where we are running out of umpires. The simple fact is that you need people who can apply the laws and local rules in a professional manner and this should be seen as the priority for clubs instead of what an umpire wears on a Saturday.

have just read Davy McD's comments and they would perhaps have a degree of validity if the bowler was bowling from directly in front of the umpire but I haven't come across any!

heard a wee whisper at the weekend that some team couldn't travel to Larne's all-weather pitch recently as not enough of their players had non-spikes. Any truth in this?

Davey,
While I disagree with you on the 'tacky' look of our umpires new attire,have to say you make a good point about the dark blue shirt and the fact we play with a dark red ball !

What about a compromise,wear the nice new trendy gear alrite,but stick with the good old long white coat over the top of it all.... it's hard to 'beat' !

BTW,speaking of tired old 'muscles' our very own legend and greatest ever player,Gerald Johnston has decided to make this Tues/Wed.evening his last ever game at the lawn against Waringst.5th's and he will be appointed Captain appropriately for our 3rd eleven.

It will be a game of much mixed emotions,not just for Gerald,but for me as well..... I can't talk him out of retiring,after all at 70+++ he has nothing to prove to anyone,but what a loss to Victoria C.C. local cricket and for me personally, it will be difficult nite.... but we'll give him a great send off!!!!! No doubt about that !