Please click here to leave a message.
The Ulster Cricketer reserves the right not to publish submissions written under pseudonyms or which make gratuitous personal attacks.
Movers and shakers in NCU circles?
Prem league:
Dazzler out of retirement for good so North Down looking stronger already.
Hutchy definitely away to the lawn and should do well there.
Alfie ex derriaghy pro away to ballymena.
Gelston back to the meadows.
Section 1:
Woodvale will struggle as it looks like there 3 best players are away, with Kirkpatrick, Johnston and Palmer all heading off. Add this to playing all games away from home = not good.
Hollywood might struggle if the rumours of big shannons retirement are true...but i cant see that happening just yet. Plenty of life in him yet!
Good few teams not recruiting pros this year as well i hear....recession strikes!
Any other gos?
I see that the editor of the Cricket Europe site has picked up on the "dubious umpires" comments.
Vic, we lost the services of freddie about 5 years ago, so its not a big concern.
but dont worry, we wouldn't dream of trying to 'poach' a player. we'll leave that to some other teams, ssshhh.
Robbie lad like I told you,just keep the new bat away from your old ones.If the woodworm crawl into this one and make a big hole in the middle of it as well; I can't see you even making our 4th. team (and it has'nt been invented yet!!!). Good-nite !
Vic
Still oiling bat, is this a second 11 or third 11 bat?
No problem Wylie,thats even better news its Derriaghy's 4ths as opposed to their 3rd eleven.
It would be nice to get our new well oiled third eleven off on a winning note.
Vic
There is a mistake in the published cup draw for your 3rd XI - Victoria 3rds are home to Derriaghy 4ths in the first round. This has been corrected on the NCU site.
The draws for the Intermediate, Lindsay Minor and Minor Qualifying cups are now on the NCU website (http://irishprovincialcricket.com/NORTHERN/index.shtml)
The Challenge and Junior Cup draws will be made later in the week
The draws are on this site also - see the news section.
Stewart,
As you seem to have lost the services of Freddie or Freekie de Burgh, don't be trying to poach our 'Pro' and legendary fast bowler, when your third team meet our new third team at Lurgan Park in the Lindsay minor Cup!
You've no chance boy!!
editor,
i haven't heard from freek van den burgh in years, but i have been told that he doesn't play cricket anymore. i think he is married now and is farming in one of the more remote parts of SA. pity, cos he was a very talented cricketer.
mr scott, u seem to be better informed than me, maybe you know more about the issue?
'freek' was indeed a very talented cricketer, pity if he doesn't play anymore
Grasshoppers 2010 - any tour updates?
Ivan, if anyone will remember Freddie's ton it will be Freddie himself. He bought drink all night! Not sure if this was the trip that Jimmy Ellis played with us but he was a lovely person and great company. As for the Glouester trip I recall at one stage that evening you were in the squad for the next county match.
Where did it all go wrong son?
Great memories if we could remember all of them!
Clarence
Was that the tour on which "Dilip" Ashton scored a ton and then the next day when he was too sore to play he was replaced by one James Lynch of Z Cars fame who then the next day met us at Lords for the rained off game v Pakistan. Most of those tours are a blur to me but I think Graham Crothers " Andy if I was you I would sack your elocution teacher" retort to Andy Clement in full flow is still the best off the cuff remark I have heard. Especially as he was also driving the minibus for the complete trip as you and Barclay had "forgot" your driving licence's.
I know the Grasshoppers have had some fantastic trips abroad in recent years but those days the trips based around the Ireland Gillette Cup fixtures were great fun. I found photos a fortnight ago of myself behind the bar at Gloucester with Bill Athey obviously taken when I was "tired". I remember that game as one of the Gloucester supporters asked me which club I was with and when I said Muckamore he said to me "Archie McQuilken". It turned out he had played football with Archie. Up until then I thought Archie was only a legend in Muckamore.That was the game when Mark Cohen stood up to everything Bruno Lawerence could throw at him.
I have heard that Alfie has played 2 first class games in the past 3 weeks in India - surely this rules out Derriaghy?
just to clear up on a few issues regarding ballymena's new pro.
i was out with albert and hennie van der merwe at the weekend, both are more than happy with their current clubs.
their brother marty is contracted to play in england again next year, he scored nearly 2000 runs last year but does not bowl any more due to injury.
piet van niekerk is very settled in SA and wont be back here for the foreseeable future (trust me, we have tried to get him back). incidently, piet will be playing against england in one of their warm up matches (9-12 dec).
as i am no longer on the commitee at derriaghy i cannot give a definitive answer, but it is my belief that alfie will be back at queensway in 2010.
does this narrow it down any?
What about Freddie Van De Burgh?!
John Busby
John, sometime in the eighties the Grasshoppers played in the Leicester area prior to an Ireland game as we travelled to support the team in those days. One match I recall was against Sheepsted Cricket Club in a beautiful rural setting but too many beers after the game and old age have clouded the other details. Maybe any Grasshopper who made the trip could add a few more details. In any case good luck with your search for a new club.
Best wishes,
Clarence
