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John,

Cricket wasn't allowed to be played on the Mall on a Sunday for a long time and if truth be told the Trustees probably still aren't all that keen on it but kindly facilitate us when necessary.

Some of the gallery pictures on the Lurgan CC website from their trip to the Mall on Saturday show what a fantastic setting it is for a game, unfortunately we couldn't give St. Johnston one at the weekend. The season goes on though.

Thanks for that Gareth. Someone up here had told me it was because cricket wasnt played at the Mall on a Sunday. I read on the Armagh website that their 2nds played at the Mall on Sunday and was a bit confused about the explanation of the St Johnston game. Very sporting of Armagh not to have made the guys travel from Donegall (probably 240 mile round trip!).

re John Ross

Armagh conceded the tie to St. Johnston as we did not feel it would be fair to make them travel from Donegal to face what would have been at best a shadow side, and indeed probably largely made up of junior players. We had requested not to be included in the WH Ulster Shield in 2008 after our transport had let us down so badly at the last minute in the previous season.

Good luck to St. Johnston and indeed all the teams remaining in this years competition.

I would agree with Robin about Robert Smith. I played against him twice for Holywood in section 3, 2 years back. He bowled very well and made an effort with the bat.
I have also seen him (and TCC) play over the last few seasons and from recent scores he seems to be a decent batsman now.
Fair play to him too for staying at Templepatrick and also to Andy McCrea - both of whom I sure have offered various roles at other clubs. Andy is a top coach and I said it in the 'Club Focus' section and season preview on the NCU site - I think Templepatrick could be ready for a step up. They look good in the Junior Cup and seem to have started well in section 3. They have a young side and are due a bit of success. With 2 up now, surely they fancy promotion?

I know your article on 100's was only based on last weekend but the weekend before there was 2 100's in the same match for the same team, Neil Connelly and Colin Whyte from Dunmurry first eleven, well done Texas and Whytey and of course congrats to all the centurions last weekend.

Anyone any idea why the Armagh vs St Johnstone Ulster Shield game was not played on Sunday?

Robin,

I have made that exact point on the other forum and am delighted that somebody with so much experience as yourself feels the same. The fact is that Bobby will fail sometimes, and on many occasions he will give his wicket away cheaply, however- his talent is a rare one in that he will win you a game in 20 overs (as he did that day at Comber)- sometimes I feel that selectors look too much for the steady players, and not real match winners. Added to his class fielding and useful bowling I really can't see how he was omitted- but then again it is a matter of opinion I suppose.

P.s Hands off for a couple of more years at least lol!!!!

re. robert smith junior inter pro

3 years ago i had the pleasure of coaching robert along with bumper dale at the u15 inter pros. last month i watched as he destroyed our 2nds on the top ground at comber in the junior cup.this guy has a cricketing talent in all 3 aspects of the game, give him a go he,ll not let anyone down

ps.dont blame him for being loyal to templepatrick, he could easily be playing premier league cricket for a number of clubs.

rodney , i was only jesting, yeah hollywood looked a decent side on saturday , bowled and batted well. Nets? what are they? mate doesnt matter how i am doing all i would like is a few wins for JC and the boys

taito, yes d kennedy bowled at us in the semi final of the junior cup at bangor a few years back and he was razor sharp. McCormick is also quick while cardy and shannon on their day are very good bowlers. I'd expect Holywood to win their fair share of games this year. With regards getting picked for NCU there is no doubt I'd like to be picked but the selectors knew I wasnt available and anyway if I was I'd doubt if I would have been considered. The only thing I'm worried about is playing to the standards I set myself. On another note, I see your bowling is starting to come together again taito. Have you been working at it in nets?

rodney, tell the truth mate your secretly gutted you didnt get picked yourself, Only messing.
I havent seen joel bowl for quite a while so wouldnt be able to comment, although i havent seen too many qulaity spinners in section 2 as yet. Plenty of seamers but nothing special in the spin department. David Kennedy of Hollywood must have been in with a shout too, his spell against us was as good and as hostile as i have seen for quite a while. Congrats on the ton rodney

Sorry folks, forgot to add team:

Brian Dunlop (Muckamore) Captain & wicketkeeper right
Ian Cleland (Woodvale)
David Connolly (Woodvale)
Neil Gelston (Downpatrick)
Neil Gill (Muckamore)
Ryan Hanna (Cooke Collegians)
Craig Irwin (Lurgan)
David Menaul (Academy)
Philip McCormick (Holywood)
Richard Owens (Saintfield)
Seamus Sharkey (Holywood)

Have to say I am shocked that Joel Maguire didnt get into the Junior Inter Pro side. Joel has bowled against Muckamore, Cliftonville, Holywood, Laurelvale and Woodvale and in nearly every match has returned good figures as well as having most of the batsmen in trouble. I havent played against all the teams in the league but if anyone can name me a better spinner in section 2 then please let me know (perhaps excluding kametar). As always I respect that everyone has an opinion but I think if you ask a lot of the batsmen that faced him they'd tell you he is difficult to play against. Anyone agree? Btw it is not sour grapes as we have a huge game against Armagh the same day and as Captain I'd rather have him in the side but based on talent, performances and potential he's got to be in there, and yes I told the selectors to consider him. Also interesting to see section 3 has two better players than the rest of section 2. Yes David Menaul is a great bat but is he facing as good a bowling as section 2. Anyone have averages of players picked?

I reckon this clip from the recent ICL in India and his most unbelievable record playing in the North West might go a long way to explain why so many are asking when Hasan Raza will be here. I think Raza appears around the 2min 20sec mark in this clip.

http://cricketsbestvideos.blogspot.com/2008/03/icl-cricket-highlights-lahore-badshahs.html

Is anyone else sick, sore and tired of hearing when Hasan Raza may or may not arrive at Glendermott.
It’s pathetic that this guy gets more airtime than the guys actually playing.
Are the local correspondents on commission to mention him, or is it maybe a competition between them to see who can do the most name dropping?
I can't believe I've just done the same, please, please, can everyone stop talking about him.