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Interesting to see the Grounds Committee report and I note that Roughfort doesn't appear anywhere in it!

Definitely one for us country people Caleb! the townies wouldn't have a clue!! An interesting one from rugby that a referee had the authority to order a disruptive spectator away from the side of the pitch - and its the home club's responsibility to ensure that they leave.l

Editor, I think you need to get out more, a Wyandotte is a breed of chicken, I thought everyone knew that??

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wyandotte_chicken

Andy,

Not something neither the umpires nor the union can control, the onus is on the clubs to keep a lid on this sort of nonsense, themselves alone, must get to grips and nullify the threat of any likely, unruly behaviour, irrespective of cup final, lower league or whatever level, and certainly not something anyone wants to see at a cricket match!

Like you say, there's passion and then there's ' Passion' just like sanity/insanity, a very thin line, me thinks?

Perhaps those so inclined need to get themselves a calming hobby during the off season, to help curb their boisterous behaviour and remain rational?

May I recommend one?

I talk to Chickens..

Don't think me bananas, cause I talk to Brahmas
Sussex, Leghorns and Rhode Island Red,
all breeds of chicken, scratching and picking
from early morn, till they go to bed.
Each bird has a name, no two the same,
Pinky and Perky, each as big as a turkey,
Jenny, Henny-penny, just a few of many,
hilarious, gregarious and quintessentially quirky.
I have no human friends, just a large flock of hens
and my wife ran away some years ago,
once cheek by jowl, she threw in the towel
when my Rhode Island rooster began to crow,
with stern scowl, she said, ' me or the fowl?
So alas, I had to let her to go!
No, I'll not renege on a hen or fresh egg
and if one should talk back, I'll know I'm 'crackerjack'
for though chickens are clever, they cannot whatsoever
converse in two way conversation,
except for Winifred my Wyandotte, who tells me,
" it's people who have lost the plot"
and I totally agree with her astute observation!

Donemana fined £125 for failing to 'control' their spectators. A bit of 'previous' in the All-Ireland Cup as well! I suppose there's passion and then there's passion! Could be some crack when the red cards come in!!

New changes to MCC’s Laws of Cricket come into effect for first time
• Two Test Matches being played under the majority of the new Code of Laws, with the changes covering all matches globally from 1st October
• A number of significant changes made to the Laws, including limits being placed on the thickness of the bat, Handled the ball Law removed, and in-game consequences for poor on-field behaviour
• New Laws e-learning platform to be launched and available online
________________________________________
The new changes to the Laws of Cricket, issued by Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) will come into full effect around the world this coming Sunday 1st October 2017, with the changes covering all levels of the game.
The new Code of Laws is being introduced into the game for the first time since 2000, making it the biggest change for almost two decades. The 2017 Code is the sixth of its kind written by MCC since 1788, when it first drew up the MCC Code of Laws, with the others being published in 1835, 1947, 1980 and 2000.
There are also two Test matches taking place from Thursday this week in which the majority of the new Laws will be adhered to, with Pakistan taking on Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi, and South Africa hosting Bangladesh in Potchefstroom.
The new Code of Laws follows a three-year project overseen by the Club’s Laws sub-committee, which involved numerous trials and widespread global consultation throughout the professional and amateur game.
The significant changes to the 42 Laws are as follows:
- Now written in language applying to all persons, regardless of gender.
- The Handled the ball Law has been removed, with its contents merged into Obstructing the field.
- The Lost ball Law has been removed and is now covered under Dead ball.
- Limits placed on the thickness of the edges and the overall depth of the bat.
- Injuries hoped to be prevented in a new Law which allows mechanisms tethering the bails to the stumps.
- Bowling of deliberate front foot No balls to be treated in same way as deliberate full-tosses.
- A new Law of the game, Players’ conduct, is introduced, giving an in-match consequence for poor on-field behaviour, including temporary and permanent removal from the field.
- The Law regarding running out the non-striker has been altered.
- 'Bouncing bat’ Law changed, substitutes now allowed to keep wicket and concept of penalty time amended.
The changes are being supported by a new state-of-the-art eLearning programme, which MCC has produced. The Laws eLearning programme will guide everyone from the cricketing newcomer to the experienced umpire through all 42 Laws, with tips from the ICC’s Elite Umpires and footage from club, first-class and international cricket to illustrate the more complex points.
Users can test their knowledge with a Basic and Intermediate exam – the first step on the way to becoming an umpire. There are 68 game-footage clips included, with a number of updated animations narrated by actor, writer, and cricket lover Stephen Fry.
A smartphone app will also be updated from 1st October, which includes an interactive quiz in which users can test their knowledge of the changes in the Laws.
A theme throughout the new Code of Laws is MCC’s long-running promotion of the Spirit of Cricket, setting out what is expected in terms of behaviour, such as congratulating and thanking opponents, thanking officials and respecting all those involved in the game.
President of MCC Matthew Fleming said, “Promoting the Spirit of Cricket and conveying the ‘Play Hard, Play Fair’ message at all levels of the game is a global focus for MCC and has been for many years.
“The new Code of Laws officially recognises what is expected from players, right through from the park to the Test Match arena. It is a big step in MCC’s quest and a landmark for the game.”
MCC Head of Cricket John Stephenson said, “This week marks the culmination of a global consultation with many different stakeholders throughout the whole spectrum of the amateur and professional game.
“MCC has left no stone unturned in researching and redrafting the Laws in order to not only make them applicable to players, umpires and spectators, but to also encourage interest in the game across the world.”

Thanks Ally for the confirmation that the Windies 'engaged' at all levels at Stormont 'on the day' recently. My mole indicated differently in the 'whole match' event. Perhaps the 'folks on the Hill' should have taken a leaf out of their book!

Congratulations to the Editor on his forthcoming election to the Presidency of the NCU. I'm sure he's looking forward to the AGM and while in the past he has been critical of the level of debate it will be a night to remember for him.
On the Notices of Motion published: There seems only one of real note with Holywood proposing that no non-resident can play below the Premier league except those 'here for purposes unconnected with cricket'.

Given the bad feeling and recriminations flying around in Section one last year such a proposal would bring clarity and uniformity at least.

But there was talk of Cricket Ireland being able to negotiate a concession to their visa regulations similar to the one the Scotland have enjoyed for many years - one that I believe allowed young overseas 'amateurs' to play.

It seems strange that we send numerous young players to winter in Australia and New Zealand but stop the reciprocal arrangement.

But since this was flagged up last year I'm sure Cricket Ireland have been on the job and perhaps that will be apparent in the debate next week.

Another topic that should be addressed is that of the Interprovincial tournaments.
It was great to see the Northern Knights supporting the local game and players by not using any pros last year. They may not be able to do that next year if the talk about redrawing the borders, rejigging the sides and even franchising comes about. Where exactly are we with all that?

Clarence - maybe there will be a better debate this year after all, here's hoping and Good Luck with your Presidency.

THE Ulster Grasshoppers leave on Thursday for Malta where they will play two matches over a long, hopefully hot, weekend in Sliema.
The opposition will be the Wales national Over 55s side (well, the Grasshoppers are playing 11 hours after landing!) and on Sunday they will face their host club Marsa CC, who include National player Frank Spiteri.Both games hope to last around 35 overs per side.
A party of 17 is travelling, led by Grasshoppers chairman Ricky Finlay and tour organiser Andy Beattie while other ‘big names’ certain to put fear into the opposition include Michael Turkington - the veteran of Grasshoppers tours - Corin Goodall, Stephen Colgan, Callum Atkinson, Glenn Halliday, Brian Anderson and Matthew McCord
There are also plans to watch the Premier League action in a Sports Bar on Saturday while golf and some sightseeing are also on the agenda before the party returns on Monday evening.
Tourists: Alan Harrison, Andrew Beattie, Blair Stewart, Brian Anderson, Callum Atkinson, Colin Storey, Corin Goodall, Glenn Halliday, Les Irwin, Matthew McCord, Michael Turkington, Peter Bates, Rab McClimond, Ricky Finlay, Stephen Colgan, Ian Callender, Dawn Callender.

NEW PLAYING CONDITIONS SET TO BE INTRODUCED
· Restrictions on bat sizes, player send-offs and changes in DRS are the highlights of new playing conditions effective 28 September
· Video interview of ICC General Manager Cricket – Geoff Allardice, explaining the new regulations available for free download at the Online Media Zone
· Document reflecting major changes to the new playing conditions attached
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced a number of changes to its playing conditions which will be effective in all series starting 28 September or later.
The significant changes include a restriction on the dimensions of the bat, the introduction of player send-offs for misconduct and changes to the Decision Review System, all of which will commence from the two upcoming Test series – when South Africa hosts Bangladesh and the one between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the United Arab Emirates.
The ICC playing conditions will now incorporate the relevant clauses from the MCC Laws of Cricket (2017 Code), meaning that all the playing regulations will be captured in one document for each format.
ICC General Manager – Cricket, Geoff Allardice: “Most of the changes to the ICC playing conditions are being made as a result of changes to the Laws of Cricket that have been announced by the MCC. We have just completed a workshop with the umpires to ensure they understand all of the changes and we are now ready to introduce the new playing conditions to international matches.”
To maintain the balance between bat and ball, the playing conditions now restrict the size of the edges of the bats as well as their thickness. The restriction on the length and width of bats remain unchanged but the thickness of the edges can’t be more than 40mm and the overall depth can be 67 mm at the most. Umpires will be issued with a new bat gauge, which they can use to check a bat’s legality.
In a new playing condition pertaining to players’ conduct, a player can now be sent off the field for the rest of the match for any serious misconduct, meaning it will apply to Level 4 offences while the Level 1 to 3 offences will continue to be dealt with under the ICC Code of Conduct.
Threatening to assault an umpire, making inappropriate and deliberate physical contact with an umpire, physically assaulting a player or any other person and committing any other act of violence all constitute Level 4 offences.
The above changes will be applicable across all formats, as will be a change in the DRS rules by which a review will now not be lost in case of a decision that remains unchanged, solely as the result of an ‘umpire’s call’.
As for DRS in Test matches, there will be no more top-up reviews after 80 overs of an innings, meaning that there can only be two unsuccessful reviews in each innings, while the DRS will now also be allowed to be used in T20Is.
An important change with respect to run outs is that if a batsman is running or diving towards the crease with forward momentum, and has grounded his/her bat behind the popping crease but subsequently has lost contact with the ground at the time of the wickets being put down, the batsman will not be run out. The same interpretation will also apply for a batsman trying to regain his/her ground to avoid being stumped.
For boundary catches, airborne fielders making their first contact with the ball will need to have taken off from within the boundary, otherwise a boundary will be scored.
Also, a batsman can now be out caught, stumped or run out even if the ball bounces off the helmet worn by a fielder or wicket-keeper.

Andy (K)
Just to respond to your post regarding the ODI at Stormont.
Contrary to your 'rumour' the West Indies were very keen to get a game in and indeed a win as the no result adversely affected their ODi ranking which leads to automatic qualification for the World Cup.

Albeit a moot point now that England have won 2/3 of their ODi series v West Indies a win in Belfast might have given them a chance.

Further to mention that given the damp and cold conditions the West Indies players could have 'hid in the dressing rooms'
Instead they came out, engaged, signed autographs, took selfies and best of all took part in a coaching session on the 3G cricket zone with the children who had made the effort to go the game.
Wanting to play or not, fair play to them.

WOLVES TO PLAY IN BANGLADESH
Andrew Balbirnie (Captain) (Pembroke/Lightning), John Anderson (Merrion/Lightning), Peter Chase (Malahide/Lightning), George Dockrell (Leinster/Lightning), Shane Getkate (Instonians/Knights), Andrew McBrine (Donemana/Warriors), Barry McCarthy (Durham), Jacob Mulder (CIYMS/Knights), Stuart Poynter (Durham), James Shannon (Instonians/Knights), Simi Singh (YMCA/Lightning), Nathan Smith (Instonians/Knights), Jack Tector (YMCA/Lightning), Sean Terry (The Hills/Lightning), Stuart Thompson (Eglinton/Warriors), Lorcan Tucker (Pembroke/Lightning).
SUPPORT STAFF
Chris Siddell (Team Manager), John Bracewell (Head Coach), Rob Cassell (Assistant Coach/Fast Bowling Coach), Ed Joyce (Batting Coach), Brendan Connor (Strength & Conditioning Coach), Scott Irvine (Performance Analyst), Niamh Connolly (Physiotherapist).
MATCH ITINERARY
October 11-14, Ireland Wolves v Bangladesh A, 4-day game
October 17, Ireland Wolves v Bangladesh A, 1-day game
October 19, Ireland Wolves v Bangladesh A, 1-day game
October 21, Ireland Wolves v Bangladesh A, 1-day game
October 24, Ireland Wolves v Bangladesh A, 1-day game
October 26, Ireland Wolves v Bangladesh A, 1-day game

As another season draws to a close, 2017 could be described as one of the more interesting in the history of Cooke Collegians CC. Disappointment in the first XI just failing to stay in section 2 was somewhat tempered by the seconds jointly winning their division.
On field achievements,however, don't tell the full story. There are many people who have helped us this year and I think it is appropriate now to share our thanks.
Firstly to the NCU and in particular Callum Atkinson. Callum successfully guided us through the club accreditation scheme. A key part of our development plan was the installation of an artificial wicket at Fullerton park and as of today work has commenced on this.
Secondly there have been many of our friends and colleagues in the cricket family.
Cregagh and Saintfield supported us by moving fixtures from Saturday to Sunday when it became apparent we had a clash.
Templepatrick, Saintfield (again), North Down,and Derriaghy all offered us the use of their facilities when ours were unavailable.
This generosity is one the things that makes our game great, very many thanks to each of you.
We are a stronger club now than we were at the start of the season and you have all helped in no small way in making that happen.
See you all next season

Graeme

Far be it from me to 'rise the hare' but I was interested to see that a Section 5 game between Academy 3 and Muckamore 4 due to be played last Sunday has been voided after the ground had been declared 'Unfit' by the home side and I am aware that the home side has the call on that. I find it strange that the same ground - that is not graded for Senior cricket - hosted a Senior game between Academy and Bangor (with the approval of the Competitions Committee) 90 minutes later! I understand, from the social media, that Muckamore offered to switch the game to Moylena but this was turned down on the grounds that Academy had no transport! If that is the case then how did they hope to get to Roughfort and Moylena is only a few miles down the road. I hope that the rule changes that were made last weekend will hold for this weekend should the weather turn!

RE:YMCA CRICKET CLUB BLADON DRIVE.
SOMEONE MENTIONED THEY PLAYED ON THE TEAM THE YEAR THEY MADE IT INTO THE SENIOR LEAGUE.
AS A FELLOW PLAYER THAT YEAR I AM INTERESTED IN COMPARING NOTES ON THAT EXCITING YEAR.