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The Northern Cricket Union (NCU) has announced three squads, captained by James Shannon, for the upcoming Hanley Energy Inter-Provincial fixtures, at Stormont, Comber and Dublin, across all three formats of the game.
Sunday 1st July, Inter-Provincial 50 Series (IP50), Northern Knights v Leinster Lighting, at Stormont, Belfast, 11 am Start
* James Shannon (Captain)* Mark Adair
* Adam Dennison
* Marc Ellison
* Shane Getkate
* Gary Kidd* Graeme McCarter
* James McCollum
* Neil Rock (Wicket Keeper)
* Alistair Shields
* Harry Tector
* Greg Thompson
Robert McKinley, Nathan Smith, and Nikolai Smith were not considered due to injury.
Monday 2nd July to Wednesday 4th July, Inter-Provincial Championship (IPC), Northern Knights v North West Warriors, at North Down Cricket Club, Comber, 10:45 am Start
* James Shannon (Captain)
* Mark Adair
* James Cameron Dow
* Chris Dougherty
* Phil Eaglestone
* Marc Ellison
* Shane Getkate
* John Matchett
* Gary Kidd
* James McCollum
* Neil Rock (Wicket Keeper)
* Harry Tector
Adam Dennison, Graeme McCarter, Robert McKinley, Alistair Shields, Nathan Smith, Nikolai Smith, and Greg Thompson were not considered because of injury or availability.
Friday 6th to Sunday 8th July, Inter-Provincial 20 Series (IP20), at Pembroke Cricket Club (Sydney Parade), Dublin
The concluding fixtures in the IP20 Series will be played at Pembroke Cricket Club over three days. The Northern Knights fixtures are:
Friday 6th: Leinster Lightning v Northern Knights (4 pm)
Saturday 7th: Munster Reds v Northern Knights (11 am)
Sunday 8th: North West Warriors v Northern Knights (11 am)
* James Shannon (Captain)
* Mark Adair
* Adam Dennison
* Marc Ellison
* Shane Getkate
* Nigel Jones
* Gary Kidd
* James McCollum
* Robert McKinley
* Jacob Mulder
* Neil Rock (Wicket Keeper)
* Harry Tector
* Greg Thompson
All requests for interviews should be made through the Angela Platt, NCU General Manager (028 90 522664 / 07713512315)

Congratulations Ulster Schools.
Terrific performance against Southern Schools at Osborne Park. Special mention for Jay Hunter century in the 1st innings and another rousing performance to reach the target. Also, great performance from the bowlers and the other batsmen especially Matthew Foster.

Lovely to have the N.C.U. President join us on Monday evening down at Lurgan Park for our home game (Victoria) against Donaghadee.
And no drop in hello & goodbye visit, Mr Hiles stayed with us for the full 50 overs chatting cricket, meeting players, supporters and his welcome presence certainly brought us good luck, we won the match!!
Thank you Clarence, your visit, support and generosity was very much appreciated my all at our club, and of course you know there'll always be a cuppa for you anytime down at our pavillion!

We are trying raise £750 take MINIBUS and 12 boys and girls to Dumfries so anyone looking raffle tickets simply pm me or pay direct to J Maguire Ulster bank account number 20505280 sort code 98 04 20. And then I get writing your name on raffle tickets 4 super prizes .

Robinson Services Premier League 23rd June
Armagh v CSNI. Away Win.
Carrickfergus v North Down. Home Win.
CIYMS v Muckamore. Home Win.
Robinson Services League Section 1 23rd June
Cregagh v Laurelvale. Home Win
Downpatrick v Derriaghy. Home Win
Holywood v Bangor. Away Win
Lurgan v Lisburn. Away Win
Woodvale v Donacloney Mill. Home Win
There is a thing on Cricket Leinster TV where they would have 2-3 cameras at a
match and call it 'Game of the Day' if the NCU did something the same I would suggest the Middle Road for Carrick v North Down would be the destination for such an event. Hope they do this for the T20 Final and Challenge Cup final borrow 2 cameras and place them at the pavillion and other end to show of the skill in the NCU
Also to the Carrickfergus club my sympathies on the passing of Gordon Browne another one of the good people on this earth to leave us. It was a shock when I heard the reports he had collapsed on the field v Muckamore so sad
Anyway to everyone playing water well and to spectators water well and have the factor 50 ready as it is supposed to be scorchio weather andd safe travels to all. Some 3 months of the 2018 season so far with single figure abandonments/washouts in the league proper

On behalf of Carrickfergus Cricket Club I would like to thank everyone for the messages of condolences and support we have received from the entire cricketing family after the death of our club President Gordon Browne.
We have received numerous calls and messages from individuals and representatives of clubs from all over the island and from as far away as India and Australia and I know the family are very grateful for all the kind messages.
We have been overwhelmed but not surprised by the warmth and compassion shown by everyone and a special thank you to all who attended the celebration of Gordy’s life.
It was a fitting tribute to a great man.

Thanks Ed yes 13 out of 20 is not a great return on my behalf. Well done to CSNI on their win over my team in the LCU area and Waringstown blitzed YMCA. Main surprise from the Northern teams was North Down folding easily v Pembroke and Insts being beaten but yes still a chance of an all NCU Final depending on the draw

In the National Cup Cregagh were unlucky not getting the last wicket in Limerick and Holywood a surprise loss v Galway, and Lisburn just could not get any one going unlike Rush's Conor Armstrong.

In the NCU Prem I think looking at it already Armagh look week and a top 3 with Waringstown Instonians and CIYMS but dont rule out North Down and Carrickfergus getting in there. Followed Waringstown v North Down and a good match it was both sides should be praised

Also Ed no sign of the Sunday Life being sold in the Louth area where I am from but will check online to see is there an online edition

2018 Senior Challenge Cup
There could be a repeat of last season’s final of the Northern
Cricket Union’s Gallagher Senior Challenge Cup.
Holders CIYMS and runners-up Instonians have avoided each other in
the semi-final draw: CIYMS will be at home to Waringstown with
Instonians hosting Civil Service North.
The two all Premiership games will be played on June 30 and the final
on July 27 at The Green, Comber.

Keith,
12 out of 19 with one result to follow. Mixed bag, but the NCU a big disappointment in the Irish Senior Cup. However, we might still have the winners?

My tips in for the Cup Comps on Sunday
Irish Senior Cup
Carrickfergus v Leinster. Leinster Win
CSNI v Balbriggan. Balbriggan win
Clontarf v The Hills. Clontarf win
Instonians v Phoenix. Instonians win
Merrion v CIYMS. Merrion win
North Down v Pembroke. Pembroke win
Strabane v Muckamore. Muckamore win
Waringstown v YMCA. Waringstown win
Irish National Cup
Ballyspallen v Railway Union. Railway Union win
Co Galway v Holywood. Holywood win
Co Kerry v DLR County (A). Co Kerry win
Glendermott v Knockharley. Knockharley win
Killyclooney v Drummond (A). Killyclooney win
Limerick v Cregagh. Limerick win
Rush v Lisburn. Rush win
Templepatrick v St Johnston. St Johnston win
NCU Saturday Premier Tips
Armagh v CIYMS. Away win
Carrickfergus v CSNI. Home win
Muckamore v Instonians. Away win
Waringstown v North Down. Home win
Thanks Ed for your kind E-Mails to me recently what does everyone think of the cup tips please lets have a competition between forumites

Ulster Schools' to play MCC
Following the Ulster Schools’ Trial held last Friday, the following team has been selected to play against the MCC at Campbell College, Belfast on Tuesday 19 June (11:30am).
Ben Rose (R.B.A.I.) (Captain)
Varun Chopra (Coleraine Grammar School)
Matthew Foster (Regent House School)
Matthew Hutchinson (Coleraine Grammar School)
Rhys Logue (Holy Cross College, Strabane)
Marc McCloskey (Foyle College)
Gregory McFaul (North West Regional College)
Kyle Magee (Foyle College)
James Metcalfe (R.B.A.I.) (Wicket Keeper)
Oliver Metcalfe (R.B.A.I.)
Marcus Poskitt (Coleraine Grammar School)
Jonathan Waite (R.B.A.I.)
Some established players have been excused from this match in order to enable the selectors to see a wider range of players, while others are unavailable because of examinations.
The team for the Schools’ Interprovincial against the Southern Schools at Osborne Park on Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 June will be selected after the match.

Forgot to send in the tips for the quarters all one sided affairs apart from the Holywood v Instonians was by reports a cracker.

Was following the Leinster Lightning beat the North West Warriors and now I have no figernails left. The Northern side thanks to Gary Wilson and Greg Thompson done the buisness but the bowling nearly let Munster back into it.

The Northern Knights are a good unit but play some strange shots to get themselves out looking at the 50 over contest on Leinster TV YouTube last Monday well ahead of the rate for all the innings but it needed one or two to stick around for a while and would have won.

Editor can you tell me where I could find scorecards from the Womens matches as I like following Womens cricket even if the National side is being thumped at the moment v New Zealand plus is the Sunday Life sold in the Republic anywhere as I hear that scorecards are printed from your region thanks

Interesting to read on the ‘other’ site about the problems that Holywood are having in getting the outfield cut. Surely Councils should be looking for ways to support local sports clubs instead of creating problems where none exist. If they already have the equipment and the staff, as an asset, then the only additional cost is the price of the fuel. Mr. McCormick (sen) highlighted these difficulties earlier in the season and the problem seems to be escalating. I remember Victoria had issues with the local council a few years ago and the resulting publicity forced a rethink. I suggest that everyone involved with Holywood should contact their local councillor and remind them that if they want a vote at the next election ‘then get it sorted’. That might concentrate their minds!!

Also congratulations to Jackie Neill on her award. The older guys will remember her as a long time Ballymena scorer and imbiber of fine wine. She is also the sister-in-law of our much respected(?!) umpiring colleague Alan. Just realised that Neville is going to dress formally the day of the investiture! Congratulations Mrs.!!

A well deserved honour for Mt. Templepatick but there is one glaring omission in Peter's posting and that is, as well as all the other tasks that Arthur has done, the important duty of preparing the tea!! Having known Arthur since back in the days of his friendship with the late Willie McAllister from Larne CC and knowing his commitment to cricket this is indeed something of which he can be rightly proud.