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Guys, I like to have a pop at the NCU as much as the next man, but I really can’t see them at any fault for Civil Service being docked a point. CSNI bowled slowly and the umpires reported them, are they supposed to turn a blind eye?
They are not the first team to be punished this way, didn’t Holywood receive the same treatment a year or two ago?
I would agree that some of the rules are a bit dated but the majority are ok. In this instance, Civil Service knew the rule and what would happen if they broke it, so I think they should accept the facts. They can’t really appeal on the grounds that it seems a bit harsh!
Well done North Down and CSNI on a great league race in 2008.

John W,
We think it is correct as Jeff, Michael and Rodney were on the 'phone nearly all day long, and they as well as Michael should be thanked. Jeffs phone bill must be enormous. If it transpires that all books, etc are checked and Dundrum are found to be safe, I would, personally, feel disappointed that my club was saved from relegation due to a technicality. Although to be honest at this moment in time, I would take anything. We all care for the game and in particular the club we represent every saturday. So relegation is hard to take on the field, being saved from it off the field is not what we really want either but then a lot of teams have gained points from not playing. Even though I am 2nd XI Captain, I've played in the last three games for our 1sts and I have loved every minute of it, even the dropped catch in Downpatrick, and I can tell you no-one is feeling the hurt of relegation more than myself. Credit has to go to Holywood for their performances at the weekend against Saintfield and Muckamore and to Saintfield for their's earlier on in the season which got them off of a flyer of a start......

Jeff

Is that official, where did you hear that from. I thought it was still unclear until everything is checked. Too close to call at the moment

With dundrum getting relegated by 4 runs it shows potentially how important the game was when lurgan so cheaply folded to holywood. Would this have affected the overall run rate? Prob not, will the NCU come down hard on lurgan for this? Again prob not but they dam well should!!

just out of interest who stayed up between dundrum and saintfield??

I assume saintfield on net run rate?

dundrum were relegated yesterday by aprox just four runs but i would like too thank Micheal Taylor for his excellent help on sunday on providing them with details on net run rate (think we tortured him ).His dedication was fantastic so again micheal from Rodney & myself thank you .

to stevy work

teams actions on the field backed up my comments didn,t they stevy.

I feel that the recent controversies over the "rules" should really be put into context - and let me state that I am in no way defending the powers that be - they are capable of doing so effectively. However we should examine how we have arrived at the present situation. A rule has been drawn up and APPROVED AT THE AGM to cover an event that has usually occurred in the past or to prevent one arising in the future. Some clubs have examined these rules more closely than the Mastriict Agreement was ever considered!! I suggest that in view of the amount of maoney currently sloshing around the Premier League - and some of the "telephone figures" being talked about for the transfer of players would confirm this - I suggest that a fee of £500 should accompany an appeal - refundable on a successful result

Vanburn
It's a pity that after such a poor season in terms of weather that North Down and Civil Service should be seperated in such a manner as they made every attempt to sort the league out on the pitch. They have been the two outstanding teams by far. But the rule/law was in the book since the last AGM and seems like quite a time before that. I think umpires take into consideration lost balls,drink breaks etc but 3 hours 15 minutes seems far mor than ample to bowl 50 overs. Even allowing them all to have run ups like you had in your prime. If the Union and that after all is the clubs including Civil Service don't support the umpires in upholding their own bye laws then surely we will find ourselves with less umpires.
The two umpires in question are probably two of the most respected and experienced in the whole country. Surely if we start question their standing in the game we have no chance of recruiting new umpires. I personally went on PLO'H's one night crash course with a view of helping out but don't mind in admitting that I "chickened out " when I thought of all the responsibilities. Far easier to sit on the sidelines and sup a pint or two. I don't think any true cricket lover wants to see this run and run.

could anyone give me any idea of when the Gilbey Ulster Games were played? I would guess at the early 1980s but may be way off - any help?

After a lot of hype over the course of the last week or 2 I would like to pass on congratulations to North Down on a thoroughly deserved win at Comber yesterday. Top performance by Joe and Ryan and the bowlers early on. A lot of credit to you guys for turning around the defeat the week before and being in this position after the loss of a few players at the start of the season. On another note I have to say Stephen Dyer's innings in my view was one of the performances of the season. For those that witnessed it I am sure you will agree it was an awesome performance. Well done big man.

NCU Senior League
Rules/Laws are laws, but I find it unbelievable that a League can possibly be decided on a team being one minute over an allocated time for bowling their overs, which in itself is difficult given the numerous circumstances that can lead to a bowling team being unable to control how long it takes to complete their overs. Lost balls, drying balls in wet conditions, moving sight screens due to mix of right hand/left hand batsmen, batsmen having confabs, batsmen having unscheduled drinks/change of gloves, plus non cricketers holding up play by moving behind sightscreens! Added to this are other cricket criteria, such as batsmen taking their full allocated time to appear at the wicket. Additionally, some teams are seam orientated, and some are spin orientated - why should the seam orientated teams be descrimated against just because it takes them longer to bowl their overs?
Docking a team 1 point is effectively the same as docking them all 4, even if they have won the match. Does this penalty either match the nature of the offence or promote the game? Absolutely not!
Complete farce! Sincerely hope this issue does not effect this year's winners, nor any in the future.

ND V CSNICC
Fantastic game of cricket at The Green today.
At 60 odd for 6 CSN were dead and buried, but as the day progressed batting got a bit easier as you would expect. Stevie Dyer's 106 in the circumstances was outstanding, genuine cricket shots going to all parts, and he did not deserve to be on the losing side after such an innings. Equally outstanding, if not quite as spectacular, was North Down's opening partnership. One or two close LBW decisions apart, neither Joe Montomery nor Ryan Haire gave a chance until they were out, this against the most potent seam attack in the League. Ryan's 80 was worth a hundred in any other circumstances, and Joe's 40 in support was crucial. Timi, (despite having had nothing to eat all day)saw North Down home in style after a brief hiccup when Joe, Ryan, and then Sutherland and Coetzee departed.
Best team on the day won this one, and it is hard to call which is the better side over the season.
Robin - nice to know that my mortgage is safe (North Down having won the toss and inserted CSN). Also, I think you misinterpreted my earlier comments regarding complacency - I was just asking the question, and I have never had any doubt about your own motivation. You do not need me or anyone else to give you added incentives!
Good luck to both sides on Sunday.

Ivan
The NCU does take a firm line with its rule book, voiding matches and deducting points.

The problem is the rule book itself. Neither players or umpires appear to understand it and that is where all the problems are coming from. It needs a serious overhaul as it is causing serious embarrassment to everyone, not least the NCU.

With all this stupid negative talk about matches not starting on time, the right number of overs not being played, bowlers bowling too many overs, teams losing points for taking too long to bowl overs etc etc does that tell us there is something fundemental wrong with our game and the administration of it at club level and NCU level.
Is the rule book too complex ?
Are the fines ( either monetary or otherwise ) too soft ?
Does nobody really care ?
This end of season farce seems to go on from yesr to year. If you were just a cricket fan or a sponsor would you want to turn up at grounds to find the teams had decided not to play or turn up and see a game finished in a one sided farce. I think this is all contributing to the slow death of our game.
When the IFA decided that Portadown hadn't played by the rules in terms of entry to the new Premier League they sood by the decision leaving one of the top clubs in the country to fight there way back. That certainly sent out a "you don't mess with us message ". Is it time the NCU adapted a tough line. It might be preferable to watching the game die.