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was watching 2 matches at comber today in very chilly weather what I did see was blatant blatant cheating on top pitch by muckamore 4ths to win the game it was a disgrace now north down were not angels either but muckamore really took it to extreme levels it was a good match as I seen all of it as I had a good seat watching both games if a team has to cheat that badly to win there is no place for them in the league I heard one player saying he was ready to walk off

Wake up and smell the coffee

All I can say is that cricket is a minority sport watched by a dedicated band of supporters and that the use of an electronic device is a bit much for Section 3 game on a cold afternoon at Mallusk.
Fine for a ODI or international fixture where statistics are studied for hours but for a fixtures between teams playing for the enjoyment of the game not an issue.
Cricket has fallen behind the major sports in our country and despite the efforts of the Administrators the game is never going to match rugby, soccer or GAA.
I also wish to add that Test Status is a complete joke and where are the superstars who will lead the line. Look at age profile of many of the team and ask would they match the leading nations? When the infrastructure is in place then perhaps but how many play the game on the island as a whole. Why not take a census of how many playing at each club and age profile.
I scored at many fixtures over the years and a few players looked the part but many did not and those who live in their ivory tower in Dublin have really no idea about the way the country works regarding sport. Why not survey the general population and ask if they will be attending cricket at Shaws Bridge on Saturday or watching the football on Sky?
I have the deepest respect for those who have promoted our game but in reality the prospect of a child wanting to play for Man Utd comparing to playing cricket is a non starter. I hope that local cricket can continue to flourish for those who enjoy it each week as I did when younger but please live in the real world and stop this nonsense of being something that is a wonderful aspiration but potential for failure. 20/20 and ODIs are the limit at present and surely the recent defeat by Afghanistan illustrates the massive task to register with the larger test nations.

Thought it may be an idea for posters to post predictions each week. I can start of with Prem and Section 1. No disrespect to section 2 and 3 I just don't know an awful lot about them:

Carrickfergus v Muckamore
Carrick win in a close encounter

Instonians v CIYMS
Dougherty looks in fine form and will inspire CIYMS to convincing win

CSNI v Lisburn
Could be a battle of the whipping boys come end of season CSNI to shade another close encounter

North Down v Waringstown
Waringstown will be too stron for ND on this occasion

Bangor v Downpatrick
Another close one with Downpatrick getting the points

Derriaghy v Armagh
Lewis inspired DCC victory

Donaghcloney Mill v Woodvale
Woodvale to win with ease

I would say at the outset that I am unfamiliar with the new on-line, computerised scoring systems but I am aware of at least one scorer who uses the system tearing their hair out when there is "a run short". So perhaps there are merits in the pen & pencil method! Also congratulations to the PSNI who defeated Northhamptonshire Police yesterday in a close fought game.

I think Ed "player " means unofficial umpires as in team mates who have to umpire when there is no official umpires available - on these occasions it is dam hard in getting LBW / stumpings / runouts and faint edges as dismissals as most players do not want to give their own players out

Hope everyone has a good summer and as a player who plays in the junior leagues can I ask for fair play during matches and not the blatant cheating by unofficial umpires that goes on every year win lose or draw lets enjoy and go in for a beer after

My Predictions for the upcoming season.

Premier

Waringstown
CIYMS
Instonians
North Down
Muckamore
Carrick
CSNI
Lisburn

Waringstown my selection to take honours. Great team and best local talent. CIYMS will come close but fancy them for another cup run. CSNI will be in a fight for relegation but think they will pip Lisburn who have a young side.

Section 1 -

Derriaghy
Downpatrick
Bangor
Woodvale
Cliftonville
Academy
Lurgan
Donacloney Mill
Holywood
Armagh

Tough league to predict this year with the majority of clubs not having a pro. Unlike John's prediction I feel that Holywood will struggle with many new faces and bringing a few 2nd XI players from CSNI will not get them to third in the league. Derriaghy have a good mix of experience and will take a lot from good performances last year. I expect Bangor also to be a tough team but will the 'Party Boys' take their league seriously to challenge.

Section 2

Cregagh
Ballymena
Templepatrick
Laurelvale
Larne
Saintfield
BISC
Cooke
Donaghadee
Dundrum

Can't see there being a runaway winner this season in this league. Agree with the latest recruiting from Cregagh they will be a formidable force.

Jonathan and other 'old school' scorers.
Why stop at that recent (in cricketing terms) linear method.
For genuine authenticity I find a freshly plucked goose quil the best.
But I wouldn't be averse to the original cutting notches in a stick.
Wake up, smell the coffee and join the rest of us in the 21st century.

I would like to ask all scorers to read Polly Rhode's article in Daily Telegraph where she asks scorers to complement their scoring using electronic devices with the scorebook or linear method of scoring.
As an experienced scorer I am a strong supporter of the old methods and although statistics can be broadcast do we require such details in our local game?
A challenging question or electronic buffs!!!

Time for some predicting with a bottle of red in me.

Premier

CIYMS
Instonians
Waringstown
North Down
Carrick
Muckamore
Lisburn
CSNI

CIYMS bound to get it right eventually? Surely? CSNI lost too many (price of paying too many).

Section 1 -

Derriaghy
Holywood
Woodvale
Bangor
Downpatrick
Cliftonville
Armagh
Academy
Donacloney Mill
Lurgan

No pros will shuffle the mid to low part of the league about. C'ville coming out on top of the lower pile as they haven't been reliant on a pro for a few years, and won a lot of games last year. Lurgan and Cloney the big losers in the pro deal, the fuss being made only confirms this. Holywood recruited well, predict a massive rise from 2nd in section 2 to 2nd in section 1, but not strong enough to beat the aghy! (See note on CSNI, apply to Holywood in 2 years time)

Section 2

Cregagh
Ballymena
Laurelvale
Templepatrick
Saintfield
BISC
Larne
Cooke
Dundrum
Donaghadee

With another couple of CIYMS imports Cregagh must now be capable of coming out on top. Ballymenas rot will be halted, and they will enjoy a bounce back season. Donaghadee start as favourites to go down. Jeff's post on the Situation in dundrum has led me to slip dundrum just below Cooke and Larne! But it will be tight!

Will be interested to see how that looks come September. Won't be too far wrong. Or the now bottle and a half may be clouding my judgement!

Dundrum Cricket Club face their toughest season for many years this year, and with no overseas coach and many of the younger players sitting exams the club may well struggle to field both of their senior teams in all matches. The club also expects to lose some of their younger players when Down High School go on their rugby tour to America.
However, the club has a thriving youth section with minis (U9s) and teams in under 11/13/15/17 competitions so it will be looking to give some of their talented youngsters a chance to play for the senior teams. The club are actively looking for new members of any age or skill level and everyone is welcome to come along to practice nights at The Meadow. The club can provide players with the necessary equipment and all sessions are arranged by experienced qualified coaches. If everyone could spread the word to parents and friends in school that would be appreciated as the club needs as many new faces as possible. Free tea and coffee is available for any parents wanting to stay and watch their kids or you could simply go for walk to nearby Murlough nature reserve. There is free Wifi throughout the ground if anyone wants to work in the pavilion.
The First Team start the season away to Saintfield and will be captained by Terry Hutley. The club are building for the future so the emphasis will be on youth and enjoyment and no doubt if the captain can get a good turn out from the talented U17 team that have been on successful tours to England and Scotland in the last three years they can be competitive .

The club started coaching in schools over 7 years ago and it has been very successful. The hard work put in by the club is starting to bear fruit and young players to watch out for this season are all rounders Stuart Campbell and Greg Hutley along with Eoin Moag, opening bowler Harry Hitchins and the super talented Ulster Rugby young player Andrew Foster.

Of the older players, the club have always had seriously good all rounders and, in that tradition, Joel Maguire and Byron Woodruff can surely have a big impact this season. If seasoned players Gavin Mcnerlin and Lee Connor are available then competition for runs and wickets will be keenly contested and I’m sure last year’s leading wicket taker, Scott Symington, will not go down without a fight when home from University.

After relegation last year, the Second Eleven begin their new season on 13th May with a match against Civil Service NI. Any new faces that would like a game should contact the club or come along to practice. It’s a great way to meet new friends, keep fit, and play competitive sport. Most of the Second XI games take place on a Sunday and are usually 25-30 overs per side.
The club are still going into 10 schools for 4 week FREE cricket coaching with finals day at the meadow.

Dundrum are again planning a 3 day Colts tour to Telford and will be hosting Midas Touch CC from India as they push forward with developing cricket in County Down and St Georges cc Telford will visit the village . They are also hoping to run a trip to Scotland for the u13/15 select team. Other plans for the season include organising a hard-soft ball league involving local sports teams from Gaelic, Rugby, Hockey and Soccer teams with money being raised for local charity. Our successful Schools Coaching Programme will also be continuing – where the club run free coaching sessions for 4 weeks in local schools together with a finals day and presentation in The Meadow. There will also be a summer coaching scheme for youngsters during the school holidays. To raise much needed funds there will be a sponsored walk by the juniors on Monday 29th May and the Dundrum CC Golf Classic is at Downpatrick GC on Friday 23rd June.

The club would like thank all the very loyal sponsors which help the club to run lots of the coaching. Anyone looking to join the club, sponsor match balls, or get their business signs up at the club please contact Jeff Maguire for any information on 07730334479.

Practice for seniors is on Tuesday evenings 615/830 pm
JUNIOR PRACTICE is as follows for boys and girls:
U-11 Mondays 615/745 pm from 24th April
U-13/15 Wednesdays 615/8 pm from 26th April.
MINIS Mondays 615/745 pm from 1st MAY ages 5 to 9

UNLIKE YOU IM MAN ENOUGH TO POST MY NAME . First of all both players are cleared to play and i dont make the rules we are not in section one but all the clubs now againest them all had coaches and loads with the BROWN ENVELOPES so whats changed ? no money ?
This is my personal opinion NO OVERSEAS COACH inc premier should EVER been here unless he was working in schools as outside the premiership clubs are on the ropes. 75% juniors outside the NCU squads want shorter game as we are fighting againest other sports that take considerably less time and the overseas help going into schools is crucial for small clubs unless your lucky to have volunteers that dont work.
Lets take Dundrum we have been in schools last 7 years coaching in at least 10 schools FREE of charge and still always under pressure but even without the overseas coach we still are going try again altho we have had to cut the scheme from 8 weeks to four = the kids miss out and i fear next year we might have cancel it = who loses out the kids Dundrum NCU and the game of cricket that we are trying to promote . Look at Gaelic got the best set up in sport in all there primary schools as they got the money and the forward thinking as thats how you build clubs every club has the right to run there own affairs and unless im mistaken time will tell who is right or wrong as the clubs bringing overseas are both involved with over 18 schools that i ADMIRE and id think and BET that they have had legal advice and discussiion with the NCU.
I AGREE that i no nothing about the law as left school at 14 with a SPIRIT LEVEL but ive played 45 years and worked for my club FREE all my life missed my sisters wedding to play cricket and dont regret it.
But ill tell you this we got rid of a SUPERB player that scored 1180 runs and 29 wks as we didnt think he put even close to the effort we require in schools and juniors altho im not after a match winner i want sumone who can improve and motivate kids that want play club cricket . . I WONT BE DEBATING with anyone that cant post his name or club as your entitled to your opinion but man up and post your name as i can only defend the game i love and happy to discuss the way forward to get more people playing as thats what Dundrum are trying very hard to do and will hopefully continue

.PS If you can tell me even in cockney slang that you think the clubs involved have not read the the ncu and home office guide lines as lot smart men in both clubs

Interesting to see Dandekar coming back to NI as an unpaid cricket player. He must love our wee country....

Although given the NCUs quick decision making on such matters his registration may be declined in July!

Would say it is inevitable that this bad blood will spill onto the field of play this year.

Man up and play 11 locals. It's funny to see clubs accepting their elevated position in leagues is because of a man they fly in every summer. Calls for some club members to put back into their clubs, so what? The majority are happy too to help out their clubs.

As for Mr Maguire. You must be getting solicitor advice from the back of Del boys Van. It's on the interweb, read it!

Calling Ivan Lapsley

Ivan,
My name is Harry Tait.
I used to come to St Johnston many times.
How's your brother Arthur?
We met some years ago when he lived in Perth.
Cheers.