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Just like to add my congratulations to Arthur Bowron on his richly deserved award, a genuine cricket enthusiast, clubman and gentleman, hope to see you soon Arthur when we travel to your place next month.

Re. Peter Sheppard

Great news. Thoroughly deserved award for Arthur. A real servant to Templepatrick and the NCU. One of the games true gentleman.

Congrats Arthur.

Templepatrick President to receive Royal honour for services to cricket
The long-serving president of Templepatrick Cricket Club has been named in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.
Mallusk man Arthur Bowron is to receive the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to cricket in Co Antrim.
Mr Bowron was a founding member of the club - now based in Ballyclare - in 1969.
Over the past five decades he has served the club as a player, committee member, groundsman and president - a post he's held for over 20 years.
He also carries out many other roles, freely volunteering his time to ensure adults and young people of all ages have the opportunity to play cricket.
The 73-year-old retired civil servant said he was shocked to receive a letter from the Cabinet Office informing him that he's to receive the BEM.
"I was extremely surprised, but delighted with the award," he said.
"I think this one of the nicest things that has ever happened to me.
"I do feel a bit guilty though as after all, cricket has been my interest and my hobby for many years."
Mr Bowron said he's looking forward to collecting his BEM later this year.
"I would just like to thank everyone involved in making the award possible. I just hope that I am worthy of the award," he added.
Congratulating Mr Bowron, TCC chairman John Busby said: “This royal honour is richly deserved.
"Arthur has been instrumental in the development and success of Templepatrick Cricket Club over the past five decades, as a founding member, committee member, groundsman, president and in the many other roles he fulfils, all as a volunteer.
"His efforts have been key to the growth of TCC into the thriving club it is today, offering sporting opportunities to so many people in the community through cricket.
"On behalf of everyone at the club I would like to thank him for all his hard work and dedication over so many years, and congratulate him on his BEM. No one is more deserving of this recognition.”

"Billy Dobbin" of the no identity, club or country, stop any emails to me with your garbage. We don't welcome pseudonyms or personal attacks so do it somewhere else. I have a name and identity, which I'm prepared to comment yet you hide under a cloak of anonymity. You are a fraud. Get lost!

Congratulations Gary Wilson on attaining the T20 captaincy for Ireland.
Well deserved!

Northern Knights away to Leinster Lightning
The Northern Cricket Union has announced the Northern Knights squads for the 2018 Hanley Energy Inter-Provincial 50 Over Series (IP50) fixture against Leinster Lightning, at The Hills Cricket Club, Milverton, Skerries, County Dublin, on Monday June 4th.
The Northern Knights will be captained by Shane Getkate, with Mark Adair returning to the squad.
June 4th (Monday): IP50 - v Leinster Lightning at The Hills Cricket Club - 10:45 am
• Shane Getkate (Captain)
• Mark Adair
• James Cameron Dow
• Marc Ellison
• Gary Kidd
• Graeme McCarter
• James McCollum
• Jacob Mulder
• Neil Rock (Wicket Keeper)
• James Shannon
• Nikolai Smith
• Harry Tector
All requests for interviews should be made through the Angela Platt, NCU General Manager (028 90 522664 / 07713512315) or Northern Knights Manager Andrew Rose (07967580122).

Schools Cup Final
Methodist College Belfast (MCB) will play in their first Ulster Bank Schools' Cup Final after defeating Belfast Royal Academy (BRA) by 17 runs. Methodist College scored 151 for the loss of eight wickets, with contributions from James Hunter (32), Adam Reid (30), and Matthew Humphreys (20). James Hunter took three BRA wickets, including the vital wicket of Max Burton (64), as Methody bowled BRA out for 134.
Holders RBAI travel to the North West, to play 2013 winners Limavady Grammar School, for the right to meet Methodist College in The Ulster Bank Schools’ Cup Final, which is to be played on the Friday 15th June at Moylena, home of Muckamore Cricket Club.

Ulster Bank Schools’ Cup Semi Final
The future stars of Ulster cricket are only one game away from the prestigious Ulster Bank Schools’ Cup Final. The semi final draw was made by Mr Trevor Robinson, Principal of Lurgan College.
Holders RBAI travel to the North West, to play 2013 winners Limavady Grammar School, and there is a Belfast derby between Methodist College and Belfast Royal Academy, winners in 2015 and 2016.
• Limavady Grammar School vs Royal Belfast Academical Institution (Monday 4th June, at Limavady, 1:30pm)
• Methodist College Belfast vs Belfast Royal Academy (Friday 1st June at Pirrie Park, Belfast, 4pm)
The Ulster Bank Schools’ Cup Final is to be played on the Friday 15th June at Moylena, home of Muckamore Cricket Club.

Holders CIYMS of the Premier League will play Downpatrick from the league below in the quarter finals of the Northern Cricket Union’s Gallagher Senior Challenge Cup. Downpatrick - so far undefeated in the Section 1 League after three games - will have home advantage when the sides meet on Saturday week (June 9)
Only one of the four ties brings together two Premier League sides with North Down travelling to Civil Service North.. Current Premier League leaders Waringstown and Instonians find themselves away to Section 1 sides Derriaghy and Holywood respectively.
The draw is:
CSNI v NORTH DOWN
DERRIAGHY v WARINGSTOWN
DOWNPATRICK v CIYMS
HOLYWOOD v INSTONIANS

The Northern Cricket Union has announced the Northern Knights squads for the 2018 Hanley Energy Inter-Provincial 50 Over Series (IP50) fixture against North West Warriors, at Stormont, Belfast (CSNI CC), on Monday May 28th, and the Inter-Provincial Championship fixture against Leinster Lightning at The Green, Comber (North Down CC) on Tuesday 29th May to Thursday 31st May.
The Northern Knights will be captained by Shane Getkate, with Adam Dennison (IP50 only), Marc Ellison and James Magee (IP Championship only) named in the squad for the first time this season.
May 28th (Monday): IP50 - v North West Warriors at Stormont, Belfast - 10:45 am
• Shane Getkate (Captain)
• Adam Dennison
• James Cameron Dow
• Gary Kidd
• Graeme McCarter
• James McCollum
• Jacob Mulder
• Neil Rock (Wicket Keeper)
• James Shannon
• Alistair Shields
• Nikolai Smith
• Harry Tector
May 29th-31st (Tuesday to Thursday): IP Championship - v Leinster Lightning at The Green, Comber - 11:00 am
• Shane Getkate (Captain)
• Chris Dougherty
• James Cameron Dow
• Marc Ellison
• Gary Kidd
• James McCollum
• James Magee
• Jacob Mulder
• Neil Rock (Wicket Keeper)
• James Shannon
• Nikolai Smith
• Harry Tector
All requests for interviews should be made through the Angela Platt, NCU General Manager (028 90 522664 / 07713512315) or Northern Knights Manager Andrew Rose (07967580122).

Keith,
At this stage it can be difficult. Four were predictable, but there were three surprises, although CSN, Holywood and Downpatrick were confident. Depending on the draw there could be others to follow if the big names meet together.
Cup cricket can be exciting. The draw will take place on Wednesday at 6pm.

My Predictions in the Gallagher Challenge Cup are
Bangor v Downpatrick. Home Win
CIYMS v Armagh. Home Win
CSNI v Carrickfergus. Away Win
Derriaghy v Lisburn (12noon). Home Win
Holywood v Muckamore (11am). Away Win
Cregagh v Instonians (at Shaw's Bridge). Away Win
North Down v Donacloney Mill. Home Win
Waringstown v Woodvale (11am). Home Win

Can I also congratulate Hannah Grieve of Lurgan on her century v Waringstown which I believe was the first centurion in the Womens game in the NCU and how she is not even in the Super 3s is amazing.

Win for the Taverners in the border league season opener at Dungannon park.
A fantastic sunny evening for a cricket match.
Portadown Taverners won by 3 wickets.Luke Flannigan leading the charge with a tasty 30 runs.

Ed you must not have gotten my message re the predictions and how it turned out be a good day for the NCU sides with Muckamore and CIYMS beating LCU sides in Malahide and North County respectivly in the Senior Cup. In the National a shock in Templepatrick beating Terenure and others in Creagh and Lisburn also winning all of which I did not predict so Ed you must have been relived unlike your colleages in the NWCU were yet again they had a shocker. Time for an overhaul I would suggest. 19/25 matches right and roll on Saturday in the Gallagher Challenge Cup.

PS I read on this forum there is a new border league as mentioned by Alan in his posting what year did it start and where could I find results of the season ongoing

The Northern Cricket Union has announced the Northern Knights squad for the 2018 Hanley Energy Inter-Provincial 20 Series (IP20) fixture against Leinster Lightning, at Shaw’s Bridge (Instonians CC), Belfast, on Friday May 25th.
The current Hanley Energy Inter Provincial 20 Series champions are Leinster Lightning.
The Northern Knights will be captained by Shane Getkate, with James Shannon unavailable due to injury. Nathan Smith and Robert McKinley were unavailable for selection due to injury. Peter Eakin is the only change to the squad which was named for last weeks Twenty 20 opener against North West Warriors.
May 25th (Friday): IP20 - v Leinster Lightning at Shaw’s Bridge, Belfast - 5pm Start
• Shane Getkate (Captain)
• Mark Adair
• Peter Eakin
• Nigel Jones
• Gary Kidd
• James McCollum
• Jacob Mulder
• Neil Rock (Wicket Keeper)
• Alistair Shields
• Nikolai Smith
• Harry Tector
• Greg Thompson