Forum

Woodvale have been advised by the Union that their games at home to Lurgan and away to Ballymena have been declared void and will need to be replayed.

Both games were reduced under Duckworth Lewis. The umpires standing in the matches allowed bowlers to exceed their allotted overs yet the Union, by their decision, appear to be placing the responsibility for interpreting and applying the laws of cricket with the captain of each team under a newly introduced competition rule 3. In each game the Woodvale captain sought reasurrance and guidance from the umpires as to how many overs each bowler could bowl and it seems the umpires got it wrong. A difficulty lies in the fact that the captain of a batting side cannot control how many overs each opposition bowler bowls. To place the onus for on field decisions with the captains is surely a recipe for disaster and will only serve to undermine the umpires authority? To openly question the decision of an independent arbiter is a tricky thing.

At a time when it is difficult to maintain an interest in the sport due to the weather results determined in a committee room don't help.

Two results may not matter in the grand scheme of things and those who know me will realise that this is not about sour grapes. However, The decision taken does appear to be more far reaching. A quick glance at the scorecards relating to the other matches in Section 2 reduced under Duckworth Lewis detailed on the Union website reveals that other games will also be affected and will need to be replayed. These games include Ballymena v Dundrum, Ballymena v Laurelvale and Laurelvale v Armagh. If these games are to be replayed (there may be others) it could determine which team gets relegated along with Armagh. Bear in mind Ballymena do not have a home ground available.

Regardless of the outcome Ballymena will finish top of the league and deserve to do so. They have been unstoppable this year.

With Duckworth Lewis newly introduced to Section 2 this year I had hoped that less time would be wasted and fewer games would need to be rearranged. The truth has turned out to be quite different. Half a day off work for the Lurgan game and eight hours in Ballymena for nothing (I have nothing against the place and actually like playing there - they also like me playing there!).

Interesting times ahead.

PS Is the temporary groundsman still in their position ?

re North Down CC

I think it would be quite diffcult for North Down to be involved in an Under 17 European Championship or a Twenty20 World Cup Qualifier, don't you ?

Re Gary

The fact is that North Down firstly cannot and never has been able to pick and choose the finals that it does or doesnt host - think we may have wanted to host the Senior Cup Final if that was the case!

North Down has for a number of years now put their name forward and indeed hosted alot of representitive and domestic finals, many of which have not involved a North Down team, for little or no financial reward!!

To suggest that North Down just didnt want it halfway through the season is an absurd suggestion!

Re James Senior Cup Final

I would have to disagree with your comments about Strangford Road, it is not as you put it "a traditionally wet ground" and there have not been "issues there for the last few years". The ground was in as good a condition if not better than most grounds in the country on the weekend of the cup final.

Anyway why would you move the cup final to Stormont, you don't get a big crowd for international games, how would this change for the cup final.

The sponsors are from the Downpatrick area and i'm not sure if they would continue to support the event if it was moved away from Downpatrick.

Speaking to alot of players from various clubs in the NCU, they were annoyed that they wouldn't get a chance to play at Strangford Road this year because of Downpatricks relegation unless they reached the cup final.

While we’re on the topic of cup final venues, is the NCU going to use some common sense and move the Senior Cup final to one of the drier grounds available.

There is no doubt that Downpatrick did a good job this year getting the fixture completed but are/were those the conditions we want the premier cup final to be played in. It is a traditionally wet ground and there have been issues there for the last few years. If it had been a league game they wouldn’t have bother turning up. Although tense, the entertainment value was low and we want more spectators don’t we?

Surely it must be moved to either Stormont (if they give it due importance, unlike before) or Comber (if they sort out their groundsman problem!), it would make for better cricket…

Re Junior Cup Final

North Down regrettably informed the Union on June 18 that due to unforeseen circumstances, we would not be able to host the Junior Cup final as previously agreed. It was with respect to the importance of the competition that this decision was made.

Our groundsman of many years informed us at the beginning of May that his services would no longer be available and despite an extensive search, at the time no replacement had been found.

We felt that since we might not be able to supply a pitch and ground at our normal high standard, it would be best not to let ourselves and the competition down by hosting the fixture in these circumstances.

This position changed in the second week in July when we were able to appoint a temporary groundsman for the remainder of the season.

We subsequently hosted a match in the U17 European Championships and practice sessions for the ICC World Twenty20 (both competitions we were not involved in) and the NCU U15 final.

NDCC

Mark

I am not going to deny that I am cynical - as Gary says, do you honestly believe that Comber would not have been playable if North Down IIs had made the final? You ask anyone associated with Templepatrick and Academy how they felt being let down by the North Down initially and the NCU for not being a bit more prompt in arranging a new venue and I am sure they will not be glowing remarks!! I do not speak for any of these clubs by the way.

Re Andrew

I think Paul said it all in his reply, a club in your position is very fortunate that it can pick and choose which cup finals it wants to host and which one's it doesn't !!! Many clubs would be extremely proud and privileged to have the chance to host a cup final. I understand fully and appreciate the work that all volunteers contribute but what you're saying demeans this cup final. I'm sure most clubs would be able to pull in resources to accomodate such a fixture let alone a club such as yours that is comming down with players and administrators !! I still believe as I said in my initial posting the reasons why the Junior Cup wasn't hosted by yourselves, I know no-one fom North Down will ever admit that. Maybe when the NCU are choosing venues for cup finals next season your posting is taken into account and that they are selected accordingly - those clubs who have the resources to host finals !

Paul, if all the clubs took that approach where would the finals be played? Right now a few clubs are asking themselves why are we doing this? Certainly not for the money or the glory as there's neither when hosting a cup final or representative match. When unions pay for services cynics like you can voice your criticism when clubs don't deliver but until then ask yourself are you being fair with your snide remark?

Andrew

Well then dont put your name forward for cup finals if you dont have the resources.

Re Gary

North Down were able to hold the Under 15 Final, due to alot of hard work put in by a number of hard working volunteers, that we are very lucky to have at our club - producing even an average grass wicket over the last couple of weeks has proven extremely difficult for alot clubs who have full time groundsmen within their ranks.

The fact that we could not host the Junior Cup final was down to the fact that these volunteers are exactly that (volunteers) and cannot be available 24/7 throughout the summer months!

Word has reached me that Dundrum Pro Manni Fernando who has become increasingly disillusioned with the Summer weather has been trying to earn a wildcard place on Faldo's Ryder Cup team for the match in Kentucky. However, Manni's gross score of 150 has failed to impress the selector's. What Dundrum wouldn't give for a similar score this Saturday!

Let's see some NCU supporters up in Strabane on Friday supporting our northern team. We've had to listen to a lot of crowing from the Leinster people in the last four years so its time for everyone to get behind the wheel.
Good luck Donemana.

Jeff,
Playing or praying is a good choice of words. Let's hope they don't come back to haunt you.
Well done on getting the grass cut. Is Ronnie's canoe marooned on the outfield?