Forum

Vic with a post as long as yours, you must work for the Civil Service lol

When our Rite Honourable Secretary Robert Black phoned me last Thursday, enquiring could I make myself available for a T20 match on Friday evening, against a few footballers.... The alarms began to ring,surely not a game between Victoria C.C. and a mixture of Glenavon reserves and Lurgan Institute F.C.
Anyhow,as it's becoming difficult to get a game now even on our third team,I thought I had better show up.

My goodness what a surprise I got when I pulled into Lurgan Park at 6.30pm on Friday evening and there on the field warming up was a mixture of former Manchester United,Northern-Ireland and Irish premier league football galacticos,no less !

And what a game we had,with everyone of the soccer stars all very competant cricketers,Gary Hamilton and Keith Gillespie excellent bowlers and batsmen,but the guy who stood head & shoulders above any player from either team,was a James Taylor,who is the Glentoran goal-keeper.

A fantastic cricketer, a very quick bowler,plenty of bounce even if his length was a bit short,but were he really excelled was in his batting skills.
Absolutely brilliant text-book technique,footwork etc. and his clean hitting of a cricket ball was astounding and something too behold !

I congratulated the fellow after the game and politely asked were had played his cricket, he replied that he hadn't played cricket from school-days and that was at Campbell College some years past! (Must be good P.E.teachers down there ?)

Anyhow, the nite was followed by a barbaque and refreshments and a good time was had by all. Just one thing though that causes me some anxst. That is 'Blackie' our non-bowling opening batsman,took the wicket of Keith Gillespie,ct.& bowled and seemed very pleased with himself.....so why can he never catch anything when he plays for us on a Saturday ??????

Anyone know when the Senior Cup draw is?

Roger ,Ryan , thanks i dont agree with it but in fairness not much point me looking too change it , just think it really dissadvantages the smaller under 13s but glad for the feedback from everyone thats what i love about the ulster cricketer brings everyone on here ,as the NCU is made up from many junior clubs which is the backbone of a very successful union , ps thats means we will be practicing under 13 twice a week ill blame the rulemakers .

Jeff, If I remember correctly this was changed a number of years ago because one of our teams qualified for the all Ieland phase of the competition when it was introduced, and found themselves on a 22 yd wicket having played on a 20 yd wicket in NCU competition. On investigation we found that 22 yd wicket is now the internationally accepted standard for all Under 13 cricket and is what is used in Inter Provincial and International cricket at Under 13 level.

Not sure Jeff, was probably due to the most overused reason for rule changes, efficiency ie. marking of wickets!

Ryan yes i knew it was 20 an would love too no the reason behind switch too 22yards ? I do agree it doesnt hinder the best but surely at junior level its about getting everyone involved in bowling an i think as in few games ive seen theirs lot 10 an 11 yr olds playing in under 13 so it would definitly benefit the not so well built child an not just for the best bowlers and if and when they move up til under 15 they will be able too adjust better as they have got bigger and stronger ?

Jeff...

I think it was previously 20 but changed to 22 in last few years. The small ball used at U13 does however help to compensate and the best youngsters do cope.

Editor , like your reply also as this aint having a go at NCU but i will be proposing too change at AGM as everyone ive spoke too so far agrees .I asked our sri lankan coach he said they play at 20 even under 15 as that way they get quicker bowling and learn too play lot more shots but keen too hear from everyone ?

Debate ? Anyone else think that under 13 cricket should be played at 20 yards not 22 ? And i no its Dundrums first year but i think it should be 20 an 22 for under 15 that way you have a natural progression as you step up from under 11 - 18yards 13 - 20 yards then under 15 -22 yards as think the full pitch dont really benefit the under 13 teams batting or bowling as they struggle too get line an length? And surely with 2 yard smaller pitch it would benefit the batting and bowling with getting more fuller better pitched deliveries ?

Re Neil..

Have to agree that a local NI wide workforce of YDOs would be a great way to continue the development of cricket. They could be facilitated by CI and work remotely between local clubs from one "hub" club in their area.

2 for 16 with that cr@p, I thought portadown had a decent side, lol, maybe you were not bowling against their best batsmen like in midweek ;-)
But in a more serious note, as Vic has said, our club are certainly fEeling the benefits of Lurgans pro-active approach to the local schools, and instead of all the local kids interested in cricket going to one of the big guns like Lurgan or Waringstown, we are getting quite a few ourselves (though i still havent talked craig into making the trip to join his wifes cousin in the park......yet lol.
Having grown up to a certain degree with Alan, Neil and Graeme i know just how dedicated that family are to Lurgan CC and wish them Maureen and Raymond all the best for the rest of the season and beyond (& hope they continue to bring young players into the game and down to the park lol)

Always good to hear of someone/anyone beating Portadown!!

Well done CIYMS on winning Dundrums golf classic with 126 points at least we now no that Hughesy brought Craig Mcmillan over for the golf cash,many thanks too all the players and sponsors in raising over 1100£ !

Easy Davey too old I'm only 28 lol just to let you know we beat portadown by 9 wkts today took 2 for 16 again bowling spin!!! Wee woodsy another med pacer turned spinner 2 for 22