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Robert, thanks for your response. Once the original game was cancelled we had the option of playing either a 3 night midweek game or on a Friday. If it had been a midweek game we would have had an even weaker team, so that is we we opted to play last Friday. The stance of yourselves and Lurgan regarding playing on a Sunday is not the issue here, that is your belief and it is something that we should all respect. I haven't suggested that you benefit from this stance. My argument is other teams are forced to field weaker teams through no fault of their own as the NCU enforce the rule that all games are rearranged within a 21 day period thus ensuring that both teams are understrength.
As for a solution, more flexibility in the fixture list is essential and maybe more fixtures on a Sunday for those teams willing to play which would free up some Saturdays which could be used for rearranged fixtures. Let's face it whatever arguments that are put forward are going to be agreed with or shot down in equal measure but at least it keeps the forum interesting.

The Sunday cricket issue has been around for some considerable time - and will no doubt continue. The difficulties, as I see it, are that whilst there are clubs who don't play Sundays, there are others whose grounds are not available in September due to demands from rugby sections, who always tend to be the dominant partner in such situations and the fact that there are 10 teams in the top 3 sections of the 1st division. With an average of 23 weekends April - Sept (less for those with who share rugby/soccer grounds and the prevailing weather condition we have) 18 league games are too many - especially when additional cup games are taken into account. Sections with 8 sides would be a more manageable option - but who is ever gonna vote for that??!!

On a separate issue, is there any truth in the rumour that I'm hearing on return from holiday that Templepatrick played a league game with 7 players on the same day that their 2s played a cup game with a full side?.

Thanks Robert for your very detailed reply. My contribution to the debate was to make more use of Saturdays to resolve the the issue but that is not possible under the current rules. I've no problem with respecting the Sabbath but it takes different forms with different religions and is certainly not a topic for debate on a cricket forum. We are all entitled to our views and most people regard them as personal and private. Good luck to Ballymena for the rest of the season.

John, Gareth and Mark,
Thanks for your thoughts on the 'non-Sunday' playing clubs and the surrounding issues.
May I start my response by thanking John for this words of congratulations.
However I would like to make a few comments of my own. Just for the record John, Saintfield were not 'forced to play' yesterday. At the conclusion of the 'nearly-finished' first match, where we were within touching distance of a comfortable win, your captain Richard Owens suggested yesterday as his preferred date for the re-arrangement (excluding Sundays of course). It is my understanding that we accepted that date and it was agreed that evening. A three night game could have been arranged but it was not suggested until last week by which stage six of us had already arranged to take leave to be available. Despite this we were missing Michael Glass, Gareth Fisher and sadly Richard White. Obviously it is more difficult, if there are long distances involved, for the away team to make players available e.g. Gareth's reference from a few seasons ago.
The details of yesterdays match and its circumstances however are not the main issue. It is clearly wrong to suggest that Lurgan and ourselves in anyway benefit, in cricketing terms, from our stance. If anything the reverse is true. The chances are that for the other 8 clubs in section 2 you may only be 'required' to play one Friday a season at worst. We are only half way through the season and already yesterday was our second of three potential Friday fixtures. We travelled to Dundrum and may also have to travel to Holywood on a Friday (though I believe this may be a three nighter). Most of our teams in the NCU are composed of a few schoolboys/students, a few teachers and 6 or 7 others who have to arrange time off. Surely it is much easier for teams who may only have to play one Friday in a season to field a strong team than it is for ourselves and Lurgan who may need to do this 4 or 5 times a season? It is more likely that the willingness of players to take leave for cricket is proportional to the strength in depth of the squad (i.e. fear of losing their place in the side) and what is at stake for the team in terms of, for example, promotion and relegation.
There may be few statistics available to back up my point but I shall quote some figures from our memorable 1998 season by way of illustration. We were fortunate to get to the Irish cup final and Challenge cup semi-final. Again it was a miserably wet summer and along with multiple 'official' re-arrangements of washed out Irish cup games on Fridays we had to re-arrange six league games. Of our 18 league games we won 10 out of 12 Saturday matches (83%), 2 out of 2 two-nighters (100%) but only 2 out of 4 Friday games (50%) losing to NICC and Instonians. I appreciate 18 is not a big number and the percentages will not be statistically significantly different. However it does suggest that Lurgan and Ballymena are placing ourselves at a disadvantage rather than the converse.
The other issue relates to the NCU doing 'something about this'. I am led to believe (though I have not researched this myself) that european law would prevent any attempt by governing bodies such as the NCU from forcing teams to play on Sundays if that was their stated stance. This has been raised before at NCU AGMs over the years.
I have not discussed here the practical personal benefits that result from adopting the biblical principle of keeping Sundays special and everyone is entitled to their opinion. However I would be delighted to do so if any of the three of you (or anyone else reading this) wished to discuss it further.
Lets hope the weather improves soon and limits the inconvenience to all of us caused my multiple re-arrangements.
Best wishes to all,
Robert

Come on Staffy you can do better than that. You write articles to be read as you want a high cricket profile so don't throw the toys out of the pram when someone disagrees with you. And how do we know whether we agree or disagree until we read them? All articles are for public consumption and invite comment. I could say if you don't want reaction then don't write them but I enjoy them.
It matters little whether you know me or not but I suport the NCU 100% in their promotion of local cricket. Also support the IFA and Ulster branch in their sports even if everything in the garden isn't always rosy. I'm still puzzled by your NCU role as Ivan McCombe referred to recently. Can't you use your influence there?

To John and Gareth a big part of the solution is to play on a Saturday. Why is today a free date and what's wrong with Saturdays in Septemeber for the non Sunday clubs? The risk with the weather is no worse than June and July as they have been awful this year. Also raise the issue at the AGM with a proposal. There's no point saying you 'don't know the solution' and still condemn the existing rule. Good luck.

Re John Wheeler

Completely agree John, other teams are punished for Ballymena and Lurgan's refusal to play on Sundays rather than the other way around. We were made travel to Ballymena a few years back on a late season Friday and our motley crew got soundly hammered by a full strength Ballymena. I'm not sure of a solution but surely there must be some sort of level playing field?

Congratulations to Ballymena who comprehensively beat us today. But surely something must be done about making a team like ourselves play on a Friday. We had 6 regular first team players unavailable due to work commitments. I know Ballymena don't play Sundays but the NCU need to address this problem as its making a mockery of the league. I'm sure the likes of Woodvale and Lurgan, who are pushing for promotion, would be unhappy to know we had a mixture of 1st, 2nds and 3rds playing today. If the NCU can't make a team play on a Sunday surely its wrong to make a team play during the week. The NCU need to look at this 21 day rule as in my opinion its an absolute joke.

Michael Patterson

I don't know you and had never heard of you in my time in the NCU. You are right in saying these are only my opinions and if you don't like them then don't read the articles.

However I do believe that the NCU is in a bit of a trough right now and I would like to see it back at the top.
Wayne, Ivan, Robin, Andy, Growler, myself have all been around a while and it is plain there is work to do to improve standards. We might disagree with the methods but we all want the same thing.

I think any suggestions to improve the standards in any of the NCU leagues is welcome from any source. We need a change of approach.
The floor is open!

i was just like to pass on my condolences to the white family at this hard time

Sincere condolences to the White family from everyone associated with the Ulster Cricketer during this trying time.

Clarence Hiles
Editor
Peter Shields
Webmaster

Staffy, have read your last article twice and I'm totally confused by the contradicitons and assumptions that simply don't stand up. The final statement is almost delivered in a tablet of stone yet it is absolutely aburd. You are entitled to your opinions and that's exactly what this article was.

John, it's a good idea. Think of ways of trying to make it work rather than throw in obstacles. I used to live in the Ards area and I doubt if you know much about Ards CC from a Derry base but the history between the two clubs over many years has shown the ambitious players moved to the bigger club because it had the best facilities and opportunities. This has worked well and looking down the line maybe it could even help clubs like Ards prosper.
Lisburn and Derriaghy might be a bigger challenge!

First of all my thoughts are with the White family at this time.

Secondly re John Ross. I think Robin and Andrews suggestions are excellent. It is about youth development and the promotion of cricket of which all clubs will benefit. If what is perceived to be a lesser club than North Down gets an improved youth playing base and coaching set up by applying a collective approach to development officers then surely that is a result.

Just a thought why don't Robin and Ivan chair a meeting at Comber with 1 or 2 playing representatives from all clubs to have a bit of a brainstorming and make some players suggestions on how to improve the game?

Staffy - can you bring along a few sandwiches please to keep folk happy!!

Wayne

Ivan - Don't get me wrong, it is a good idea, no doubt about that. A sliding scale could be the answer - but, as usual with some innovative ideas, I just cant see how it would work in practice. Perhaps NICA seeking specific grant aid from the Sports Council / Lottery would be better than clubs footing the bill? That way it is independant.

Andrew - You can never stop any player moving on. My point is that a club like North Down would be more attractive to play at (ie if you lived in Ards you would simply travel to Comber) and why would a smaller club want to help a bigger club take the better players?