Forum

Re David Somerville/Dave (Work)

Here is my team of the season (or 2/3's of it!)

1. Ryan Haire
2. J. Montgomery
3. N. Jones (c)
4. D. Heasley
5. R. West
6. J. Shannon
7. J. Bushe (wk)
8. E. Moleon
9. R. Eagleson
10. A. Coulter
11. M. Moreland

12th man : M. Hutchinson

Dave, most people would have West in that team before at least 8 others. But you are entitled to your opinion.

Ref. Chris Busby

For those that don’t know, although Chris does, I’ve been coaching Ballyclare High 1st XI with Simon Thompson for the last 2 years, and four years ago played both school cricket (For Ballyclare with Chris) and Section 1 cricket.
I’d like to point out to Chris that Simon and myself allowed on several occasions our better players not to play for the school and go and play for TCC First team. Also there was at least one, I think two Saturday’s TCC never had scheduled games, and several TCC players got valuable game time with the school which can only be to BHS and TCC’s benefit, one of these games was against a strong RBAI side at Osbourne.
We have thought that this gives other members of our team, more valuable opportunity to both bat and bowl and develop these players as cricketers for the School’s Cup, McCullough Cup and also for there clubs (Mainly TCC). I can certainly see improvement in a lot of TCC players at Ballyclare High over my 2 years of coaching.
Also these players getting more opportunity when the better players are not available or do not perform (which does happen), I would argue that in alot of the games (not even against the top school sides) they are facing at LEAST two better bowlers, (probably more) than they would playing for TCC 2nds (Division 2 Section 3) or TCC 3rd’s (Division 3 Section 4). Also getting these players games of cricket in which they are contributing in is important also, to keep them involved in the game as TCC 2nd XI have only played 5 league games (Limited opportunity) and there 3rd’s 9 league games.
There is also a benefit to all are players playing against the top school sides for example Bangor Grammar and RBAI, to name a couple, as they play against several players with Premier League experience, which they are not exposed to playing for their club. Bangor Grammar beat us in the Quarter Final of the Schools cup this year and our better players didn’t come to the fore.
But I certainly think the school’s cricket committee and NICA need to think about the future structure of school’s cricket, although it will not be easy to please everyone.
I personally think a 20 over league on a Saturday morning, all games to start at 9am therefore they would be over 11.30 latest. If a team arrives late they lose overs of their innings, this ensures that the games still finish on time. Have a league table and trophy to make the games competitive, unlike current Saturday morning fixtures. All school cup matches (40 overs), McCullough Cup matches and Sherrygroom Cup matches (30 overs) are played during the week. This gives players the opportunity to play 20, 30 and 40 over cricket as well as playing club cricket on a Saturday afternoon.

Re Academy v Cooke,

Karl, that is slanderous talk ... even if it maybe had a ring of truth in the past! We've got a good few young players coming through now so we hope to push for promotion in the coming seasons.

The simple reason we lost the points is that we didn't have a ground. Unfortunately the current rules mean that teams have to keep re-arranging fixtures till the end of September even if quite a few of them have little or no chance of finding a ground. So, in the event of bad weather as we've had this year, the end of season promotion/relegation battle is determined by who has a pitch. Should someone not propose to change this at the AGM? Or is there a logic there somewhere?

David - I just think with an average of 13 with the bat and taking 9 wickets (3 of which were v Dundrum)there are others more deserving of a place thats all.

And Robin who would you drop for Regan to come in?? No denying he is one of the best in the country which is why i had him in my 12?! From the 12 i listed why should I have to "get real"?

Whats wrong with Paul McCrum as 12th man? - I believe he has taken wickets and scored some invaluable runs as CI struggle to avoid the drop

re dave work

dave dont think u know too much about local cricket,regan west 12th man,get real.

Thanks Karl - I would have thought after winning the Junior Cup and with a few signings possible if Cliftonville collapse that Section 2 would be appealing.

Sorry Peter. Got too excited and put my finger on the wrong key. Try CSN/CSNI/CSNZ.
Still can't work out what you guys are on about home grown players. Who cares these days? We spend too much time working out our pedigree rather than putting the best team we can get on the field. North County are so far in front of all our clubs we might need to pick a representative team to beat them!

OK Peter I now see there was no point. My point is an "open doors" policy in case that wasn't obvious.
SCNI and North County are the best examples around.

r.e David Somerville

couple of question marks in there for me, Surely Joe Montgomery should be opening the batting ahead of Nelson? How do you explain having Paul McCrum in your 12 for this season??

1. Ryan Haire
2. Jo Montgomery
3. Nigel Jones
4. Mark Hutchinson
5. James Shannon
6. Derek Heasley
7. Peter Shields
8. Ryan Eagleson
9. Greg Thompson
10. David Simpson
11. Allen Coulter

12th man - Regan West

I think that surely this would be the team of the season, all have been top performers this season and surely cannot be denied a position.

Its usually thought that when academy are in a strong position in the league they will not go for it as they are comfortable enough playing section 3 cricket.

Can anyone on the forum shed any light on the Cooke Collegians V Academy match down for 30 August. Acadamy conceded to Cooke Collegians - is this right? Acadamy are going for the league and give a game to Cooke Collegians who are close on their tail!! Seems a bit bizarre to say the least - must be some story behind that one.

Shieldsy - I would have liked you to try the post on CricetEurope for Derriafrica a few years back :-)

David Somerville - I take it you are only including Permier League players? If not, I would imagine that at least 1 of the Kennedy Brothers at Ballymena would be knocking on the door - David ahead of James in my opinion tho. These two aside, I cant see too many others in Section 2 making the side.

NCU Team of Year for your thoughts (Excluding pros, and regular Irish Players)

1. R.Haire
2. L.Nelson
3. N.Jones
4. D.Heasley
5. M.Hutchinson
6. J.Shannon
7. G.Thompson
8. B.Cooper (Wkt)
9. A.Coulter
10. R.Eagleson
11. M.Moreland

12th Man - P.McCrum