Forum

Vanburn

Your reply has raised my eyebrows even more than your first statement. Are you saying any those 5 individuals wouldn't bat too high up the order in the top three as you call them but admit they might scrape into the team?

I think CIYMS will be happy enough with that statement if they are being underestimated. With a new pro on board as well they can sustain pressure with bat and ball compared to last year where they were heavily reliant on a couple of players.

Will John Costain be at CSN this year as he wasn't named in John Campbell's team? Will Gary Wilson be available? Or Regan West? Will your new Pro be as good as Thompson? Will McKee settle quickly at a new club? Are youngsters Beverland and Heaney as good as their parents? Does Dyer's 100 signal a return to form or the last hurrah of a once great player?

If all those questions are answered yes then we should take CSNI very seriously indeed. Any more than a couple of no's then take another hard look at the 5 players named in the CIYMS team.

I think Ballymena and Woodvale will offer a lot more than the 2008 Cliftonville and Derriaghy teams. North Down are stronger and CIYMS are stronger and I expect a reaction from Waringstown after a very disappointing 2008. I really hope that the NCU has turned a corner and the 2009 will be a great year. Maybe the good times are starting to come back. Here's hoping.

Staffy

Whilst I do not disagree with your comment regarding the individuals you named, if you look at the "top 3", there are several more from each of these sides who would individually make any of the other senior sides. The other thing to bear in mind is that whilst a player may individually merit a place on another side, they might just scrape into it, or might take on a lesser role within that team. For example,think about where the indiviuals you mention might bat if they decided to move to one of the "top 3"? Good as they are, not many would merit a place as high in the order as they will bat for their current club.

Vanburn

Individually Heasley, Hewitt, Cooper, Gelston and Fourie would get on any NCU side, surely?

Collin
Are you serious?
Yes,some very good cricketers in that side you name, but only a few of them would be selected for any of the top 3 who have much greater depth in all aspects of the game. Good as they will be, CI mid table is my prediction.

Frog

Dont you worry about me - I'll be playing all season this year. The chance of batting at the magical no 10 spot has sealed it for me.

Also, like to pass on my thanks to all for the kind wishes for Cliftonville this year

Great news to see Robo coming to Northern Ireland, great guy and top Cricketer - he will hurt some teams that he comes up against that is for sure! Good luck to him for the 2009 season at Comber, I look forward to the battles ahead and catching up over a pint or two!

Kiwi

if thinus fourie is confirmed and registered then yes maybe....
If not i dont think they are any stronger than the other 3

J hewitt
N Gelston
T Fourie
D Heasley
B Cooper
J Theron
R Lucas
M Hingston
R Hanna
R boultwood
S Hughes

Would have to throw these guys right into the mix as well!

Bod

Talking of hitting the nail on the head. True Bod you are a wee bit long in the tooth for babysitting, but if you need me to write you a note , to see if the big girl will let you come out and play with the boys, i'm happy to oblige.

with the season now fast approaching i have put the ncu top 3 teams from last year on paper to have a look at possibly the closet and most competitive season in the last 10 years or so; here they are;

NORTH DOWN:
ryan haire
joe montgomery
iain robertson
taimur khan
andrew sutherland
johnny terret
peter sheilds
neil russell
gavin mckenna
marty moreland
marty dalzell

WARINGSTOWN:
Lee Nelson
James Hall
Tharaka kottehewa
Kyle McCallan
Jonathan Bushe
Peter Hanna
Simon Harrison
Andrew Cousins
Gary Kidd
Stuart Kidd
Simon Stokes

CSNI:
Gareth McKee
Gary Wilson
Nigel Jones
Regan West
Professional
Wayne Horwood
Stephen dyer
Michael Heaney
Charles Beverland
Allan Coulter
Colin Andrews

International call ups to waringstown and csni will mean a return to the title to comber!!

I can confirm that I was in a gym in Portadown but once i discovered there was no bar, I left swiftly. However, I am slightly disturbed that Froggy wishes to babysit me. Last time we stayed at the same venue I seem to remember a video with nails playing a major part - less said the better Frog. Glad to see you are playing this year mate, I might get up to no 10 if I impress the gaffer in preseason!

Froggy

There was some great cricket discussions and arguments in the record club!

Bod was reportedly in the gym checking out the talent!

Looking forward to facing you this year.

only 2 winners sat, so here wee go again. MOURNE RAMBLER 310LEOPARDSTOWN . DESTINATIONUNKNOWN, 430 SOUTHWELL. JUMBO RIO 110 LEOP. FORPADDYTHEPLASTER 245 LEOP.. THE LISTENER 315. GUD LUCK

Dan

Bod in a gym, is he cleaning it? The record club, are you serious? I'd need to knock off 10 years , never mind 10 overs.

Robin

Wouldn't expect anything less from the Combermen, class is permanent they say (unlike that tan of yours). Cheers.