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The Lone Umpire..

'Mark this and mark it well
a fine, upstanding deed,
he journeyed far to ring the bell
so others may succeed

With rumour rife of ill-health
a sporting constitution in decline,
some chose the sanctuary of wealth
rather than dig in and mark time

But two cricket clubs of invention
from nearby, boarding lands,
knew cure was better than abstention
thus employed new hands

Arranged a game, a rival match
down by the factory ground,
encouraged newcomers, bat, bowl, catch
so they flocked from far around

A problem then became apparent
organized chaos may ensue,
but fears allayed by arrival of a gent
dressed in attire of navy blue

Proceedings quickly fell into place
those unsure soon got it right,
for this gentleman with gifted grace
guided each with unfettered oversight

Now few are born with midas touch
though all deserve a chance,
and the lone umpire knew as much
that's why his forthright stance

So if your club is undermanned
don't hide behind the door,
negate with resources found at hand
then like the lone umpire...You'll know esprit de corps'

Re: Ballymena man

Maybe Andy did make a mistake in your game. But I'll bet there were a few wrong decisions given by all umpires in the games at the weekend. That's because umpires are human and make mistakes. Andy comments on a lot of things on this forum that I disagree with but he is honest as the day is long and if he didn't give a batsman out it's because he didn't hear a nick or the batsman didn't hit it.

You should be ashamed in naming an umpire in these circumstances. They do the job for the love of the game, get paid a pittance for what could sometimes be a 10 hour day and then have to face these sort of comments from someone who hasn't got the balls to name himself.

Just think where the game would be without neutral umpires.

Re the comment from a Ballymena man blaming an umpires decision for our loss v Laurelvale....as captain, I must admit this is really poor!! Suggest the individual who put this up, shuts up! Score more runs, take more wickets - that's how you win!
Apologies from BCC

ballymena man . ill tell you what happened in our game againest BISC one of our lads deff nicked it didnt walk (i wasnt impressed as i coached him and all u17 and told them all to walk ) and wasnt really costly but we then needed 2 to win the 9th wicket young player walked when umpire admitted he didnt hear it nearly cost us the game but i was proud he walked and id say same if we lost. Club captains and coaches should try influence players on walking then it would help the umpires who are there to help us in a tough job . I no one thing id have ANDY or any umpire that none as i had step in on sunday for 16 overs at square leg in must win game for us and the situation didnt test me but there was few scenarios that im glad i didnt have to test my honesty . PS twice this year Byron Woodruff walked of the glove when umpires said were not giving him great to see and im sure if he umires remember these calls and your bound get extra benefit of doubt in close lbws run outs etc.We need support our umpires not have cheap DIG at them

Andy kennedy cost ballymena the match against lauravle by not giving what was a clear nick to the keeper out.

James, i completely get where you're coming from in relation to the selection of Morgan Topping as he has not played very much for Waringstown this year and if so, has not performed to the best of his ability which i think we all know he as.

As a player in section one who was at the game on Sunday, i cannot see any of those players playing in the knights that you highlighted. The standard is on a completely different Level and none of them would be capable to hold their own. Curtis probably has the best chance but when your bowling to Ed Joyce iam sure Curtis would have went for a few runs as well, like the other bowlers

Playing Morgan i tend to agree with as Jonty see's him as a player that will be playing for the knights in the future and throwing him in on Sunday due to an injury will only help in his development. Yes he went for a few runs, but who didnt? Morgan wasn't originally selected and a phone call on Sat Night/ Sunday Morning to ask if he could play, i don't think he could really turn it down.

I think its a game if we're honest that the NCU were not favourites for with the list of Internationals in the Leinster team, therefore playing Morgan will be a big stepping stone in his development.

The "controversial articles" penned by Bushe just seem to push whatever agenda he has that particular week, seen him blasting a fellow journo on social media for having the audacity to quote factual stats regarding Waringstown's recent struggles in 50 over games.... more faces than the Albert Clock!

Heard yesterday that Moorhead was unavailable. Not sure if he was contacted though

Topping was called up at 9 o'clock last night for Lee Nelson who was injured. Obviously replacing a spinner with a spinner. Morgan have been around the Knights sqaud over the winter without officially being in it, Simon Johnson has seen what he is capable of, I personally think it's a great opportunity for Morgan to test himself against what a team that contained 9 full internationals and having been there in person he did himself no disservice. I would go out on a limb and say Morgan would bat in the top 6 and would bowl 10 overs for any other club in the country.

However I do understand he is not playing consistent first XI cricket which does make his selection into the side very difficult. Another spinner was obviously needed in the team as John Matchett was left out. Curtis Moorhead is an impressive young spinner and has performed well recently although maybe he was contacted before Morgan and was unavailable? Hard to piece together a full story without all the facts.

Re James Hastings

What I'm saying is Morgan topping needs to do a lot more than perform in Junior 1 to earn a call up. He hasn't taken two wickets yet in a PL game and went round the park today. What about Zach Rushe? Is he not about 25/26? Even Curtis Moorhead took 25+ wkts last year bowling with 40 yard straight boundaries in every home game. how can topping have earned a go already? Apart from bias being the main reason.

Just found it bizarre. Dont think I'll be alone in scratching my head over this selection.

Re james

Why not play morgan topping a young cricketer who will gain great experience playing against better players. Who do you think the knights should select as a spinner?
Marty moreland or ryan eagleson,time to blood an exciting young talent like topping.
Look to the future.

Morgan Topping being selected for the Northern Knights is the biggest selection farce in the short history of the new Interpros. His best bowling figures this season are 1-27, and his highest score is 9. No doubting that he is a player for the future, but he has not earned the right to wear the Knights badge.

Simon Johnston said "Players will be selected on merit". What is the merit for this selection? He's not in the top 10 spinners in the NCU, or in the top 100 batsmen. Baffling. There are probably 70 premier league players more deserving of a call up than Morgan Topping.

You won't pick someone outside of the premier league but you will pick someone who's only proven at junior 1 level?Seems like in the New Knights regime the bias has simply switched from shaws bridge to the Lawn. Glad to see the general premier league bias being kept though. You could pick a section 1/2 under 23 team that would hammer that Emerging U-23 team. Which is another premier league biased farce.

Ross Adair
Patrick Park
Kyle Walsh
Mark Best
Ross Bryans
Jordan Fettis
Curtis Moorhead
Reece Malone
Matthew McCord
Chris Burns
Thomas Magowan
Jordan Wade
Ryan Smyth
Aaron Johnston

All these guys have scored substantial runs/wickets so far this season, and for a few seasons now.... And all more proven in senior cricket than Morgan Topping. Or does only premier league/Junior 1 count? I see the lightning and Warriors have no problem selecting division 2 players.

This is a topic that needs discussed on social media. Time for a controversial Ally Bushe article?

Nice change that a weekend has passed with some good scores and without much controversy over internationals getting hundreds etc.

Obviously Stirlo's 9 mates and Matty McCord can still win without him.

Here's to better times ahead !!

Re Ivans post on the cones: Fozzy seemed fairly upset by his dismissal in the cones incident, i wasn't there and am just being a bit nosey. If the cones were not the boundary then why were they there in the first place?

Colin I think the Internet just reflects real life . Some people are strong enough to come talk to you about an issue face to face and many are weak and talk behind your back.

Either way the information is useful and we can all learn from even apparent negative comments .

I always look for the good in a situation or at least how I can turn a negative situation into a positive note.

When someone I respect and like as in Michael Foster takes the time to pen a post like he has it would be daft to ignore it.

From that post I will now make sure we have no cones along that boundary . For ever and a day the fence has been the boundary as the ground is tiny enough without reducing it further but it's understandable that cones cause confusion .

It's the same with length of matches , starting times etc etc it's good to hear views expressed either face to face or behind backs . That way you can guage feelings .

On that topic in recent weeks I've had players approach me both young and mature saying " ask their captain can we play more overs ". I think people are starting to realise that the 20 / 25 over options restrict involvement .