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section 2: Well the table is starting to take shape, and its probably looking pretty much as people would have expected (maybe apart from our start), although some may have predicted that too. The top three are looking strong, but as we expected it is looking like one of the strongest section 2 leagues for a long time. If the top three start taking points off each other then it could become interesting. Man of the moment is mr sharkey, obviously in great nick, lets hope he has a bad week this saturday when we play them

These guys must hate losing more than you Robin. After all when they couldn't beat you on the field in 2006 they went to great lengths to do it in the committee room.
This is modern Waringstown. Not a shadow of old Waringstown who you grew up with.

one thing i drilled into our guys from a young age at north down was whether win or lose have a refreshment with your opponents after the game. last saturday for the first time in my 30 + years of playing i felt quite sad that not one of the waringstown players stayed after the game for a chat. rest assured if they beat us at the lawn in august they,ll pack the planters out and the north down players will be there to congratulate them. i suppose thats the thanks you get for lending waringstown 4ths our ground on sunday.
theres no one hates losing more than yours truly but lets wise up lads , its only a game.

Great effort by Ireland and particularly Kevin O'Brien. You have to admire the way this team performed against huge odds and defections. The coach seems to have gone 100% down the road of youth and his pro is certainly a lot better than some of the others we've had in recent years. Well done Phil and the boys.

Ed, he is settling in well although he notices a big change in weather and also pace of wicket. His coaching has been excellent and having played 3 games he was unlucky in a few so here's hoping he hits form soon.

Does anyone know if professionals are allowed to play in the Ulster Shield?

Clarence,
I enjoyed your article on umpires, but have to take you to task regarding appeals and decisions ! As Hawk-eye has often shown, umpires tend to give the batsmen the benefit of the doubt, but some of our old umpires obviously didn't need electronic help. Of course, I would suggest they were right , though they tended to get it wrong when I went out to bat. ( I must now try and extract my tongue which seems to be firmly embedded in my right cheek ! )

I think the NW correspondent on the other ‘channel’ has lost the plot a bit – some kid from Killysomewhere getting trials at a county – give me a break.

They really do live in a wee world of their own up there…

eway nap enticing haydock335. new approach 345 curagh. luck money 250 newmarket.virtual 305 haydock.abandon 235. last chance for FYODOR eway 205 haydock.best outsiders bellomi 410&oasis wind320.jupiter pluvius345, think jimmy fortune will get at least3 winners at newmarket. good luck

clarence, you are too long in the sun if you can understsnd me as after two brain operations i aint got clue what i go on about .lol i remember fantastic article you gave us in THE ULSTER CRICKETER 20 years ago after we our changing rooms burnt down twice & we as club worked long &hard too keep cricket going in dundrum &its times like this when in quarter final of DOWN DEMOCRAT CHALLENGE CUP &playing section 2 that it makes you proud & yes i have always DREAMED of dundrum in the spotlight.not enough clubs enjoy cricket as its not life or death ,we have hosted cliftonvile holywood&muckamore & i can assure you that they enjoyed themselves in DUNDRUM.

Hiler,

Excellent article on the umpires, dont recall to many of them due to my age but as Staffy quite rightly mentioned Trevor Henry was a superb official and is greatly missed on the cricket field. He was most definitely highly thought off in the umpiring world and by cricketers alike. How highly was he thought off?? Well a certain Darrel Hair flew half way round the world to attend his funeral which in my opinion sums up how much respect he had within the game.

Thanks Staffy. You are so right about Trevor and perhaps because he was so young at the time of his passing I've missed him. Quiet man but very professional and dignified in the way he performed his duties. If you got three LBWs I think you were the only one ever!
What about three more tomorrow in memory of a lovely umpire?

Clarence

It's sad thinking of how many umpires are no longer with us and they were all great characters. Your article transported me back to a time not all that long ago when winning wasn't the be all and end all. Sometimes I feel everyone should just lighten up and try to enjoy it a little more.

One notable absence from your list, probably because he was taken from us so young, was Trevor Henry. Trevor was the finest umpire of his generation and was good enough to go all the way to the top. He had a reputation of being a 'not outer'and gained the sarcastic nickname 'Trigger' because of it. In the last year Instonians played at Shane Park Trevor gave three of their batsmen out lbw all off my bowling and said to me on the way off the field 'you can tell your grandchildren that Trevor Henry gave you 3 lbws in an innings once'! Don't worry Trevor, I will. Rest in peace.

Just like to thank everybody that has come onto the site over the past month. It takes guts at times and some of the stuff can be crusty but it all adds up to a healthy exchange of views in a user-friendly environment. That has to be good for cricket and that's what the Ulster Cricketer is all about. We also welcome your views on changes or improvements.
I'm even getting to understand Jeff's language and looking forward to seeing Dundrum at the Green in the semi-final. Live your dream and who knows?

Thanks Andy, I was delighted to read your last posting. The things you say there are very true and that's why I was so annoyed at the previous postings coming from you. No hard feelings now on my part and I regret that we had this public slanging match. Hope you are able to make it down to Carrick on Sunday for a jar, especially seeing as you are offering to buy the first round.