Forum

Nick

Not sure where your comming from but considering Saintfield have such a young team surely the addition of an experienced player can only strenghen them. I don't think many Section 1 teams would have turned him down.

Re.Ryan

I believe the NCU made official representations to BCC regarding the lack of pitches 2 years ago, and as Andy Kennedy stated,a councillor was approached directly at the Woodvale dinner 18 months ago. End result; nothing!! Yet in recent years other sports seem to be flourishing on BCC grounds!!

Nick
I'm pretty sure having 5 regular 1st XI players at the age of 21 or under qualifies us as being a pretty youthful side, saying that we have a great balance in the side with the experience some of the " older guys " and certainly the signing of billy dale can only add to this.

Here are all the pre season games confirmed so far in Ireland.

Sat April 10th
Strabane v Sion Mills
Bath v Waringstown
Lurgan v Ballymena 2pm start - 40 overs.
North Down v Bready
Brigade 2nd XI v Magherafelt
The Hills v The Hills

Sunday April 11
Eglinton v Muckamore - 1 pm
North Down v Brigade
Lansdowne v Waringstown
Pembroke v Railway Union

Saturday April 17th
Donemana v The Nedd
Eglinton v Ardmore (Shaun Bradley Memorial Match)
Waringstown v Dundrum
Bready v Pembroke
Leinster v Carrickfergus
Brigade 1XI v Brigade 2 XI - Memorial game
Strabane v Killyclooney
The Hills v North Down
Glendermott v Woodvale
Trinity v Clontarf
Victoria (Scotland) v Victoria (NCU) - at Springburn Park Glasgow, 12 o clock start - 50 overs.
Downpatrick II v Coleraine II
Drummond v Coleraine

Sunday April 18th
Civil Service North v Coleraine
Waringstown v Armagh
Rush v Carrickfergus
Brigade v Muckamore
Glendermott, Woodvale, Creevedonnell - T20 tournament.
Merrion v Limavady
Burndennett v Pembroke
North County v North Down
Leinster v Railway Union

Wednesday April 21
Trinity v Leprechauns

Sunday April 25
Leinster v Pembroke

I know it does not affect anyone but Waringstown are playing Bath in Bath today. They play Lansdown in Somerset tomorrow.

Maybe see you in there today Greg at Pollock Pk.

I was filling in my player profile questionnaire last nite for our web-site,the bit about nick-names was interesting?

Mine is pretty obvious but what's yours?

Let me help you! 'The trundler', 'The very slow bowler', any of those would do,but what about; "King of the Ducks".

You certainly rule the pond when it comes to them boy!!!!

Strange everyone would talk up Saintfields youth after signing up the 'evergreen' Bumper Dale!

re Gareth.

You should put your concerns to BCC and you will get an official response Im sure.

Yes Vic, certainly something happening @ Pollock Park this Sat. The square is cut ,summer seats are out,side screens are in position yes looks like there going to be some cricket this weekend or maybe someone is just signing autographs ?? who knows !!! and BTW Lurgan Park isn't looking to bad either !!!

Lurgan v Ballymena is on at Pollock Park tomorrow starting at 2pm

Pre-season games.

I believe Lurgan are playing at home to Ballymena tomorrow starting around 2pm,maybe Neil or someone from either club could confirm?

Would'nt mind getting in to see that match as the weather is to be pretty warm! (At last!!)

assistant Ed. - I understand Muckamore are heading to Eglinton on Sunday. Floosie's away to the city to get the sunblock!

re Gareth Evans - I posted on this subject a couple of years ago and others recalled the number of Council pitches that existed in and around Belfast in the 70s & 80s e.g Cherryvale & Inverary Avenue to mention two. I was attending a dinner in the Ballygomartin area when the subject was raised with a local councillor and his comment at the time was that there was not the demand for cricket pitches vis-a-vis other sports.

With the recent comments about Mallusk, I would like to know what BCC are doing about increasing the number of Council pitches in the Belfast/Greater Belfast area. BCC are supposed to be laying an artificial wicket at the Grove playing fields but there is still no sign of it.BCC pitches are the lifeblood of club 3rd and 4th XIs and we need more of them pronto!

Re Jay

I would like to back Neil Hunter is respect of the ground / cricket square at Mallusk. BCC have been investing in its maintenance and there maybe further investment shortly! I have seen some shocking council grounds yet this is not one.