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Flossie has shown me how this Twitter thing works so this is just to confirm for a player from the heart of Co. Armagh that I'm not 'dying to see who has been done' (his words) - I was simply wondering why there had been a departure from previous years but the Newsletter fills in some of the blanks!! I hope this doesn't encourage more comments about the 'back pitch' at Muckamore!!

Re Bumper

Agree with 10 team leagues and 3 divisions but do not see the sense in restricting youth teams. it takes a hell of a lot of commitment to field one team at youth level never mind 3 but if clubs are able to do so then they should be encouraged.

youth fixtures are few and far between and clubs producing as many U17/U15/U13/U11 as possible should be encouraged not restricted.

Perhaps a much better idea to talk to your counterpart about the possibility of a shortened game rather than bypass him and go straight to the highest level for a permanent change, who knows, might even suit the other side as well if one just simply lifts the phone ?

Personally I blame all this social media, texting and the like, is the art of conversation now to be consigned to the history books along with common sense ???

The Desperate Plight of Cornelius White

Cornelius White and Alfonsus Brown
lived in the country not the town
neighbouring farmers who rarely spoke
each hoped he'd get rich, t'other go broke

When autumn time came round again
Cornelius was anxious to harvest his grain
acres and acres of golden ripe fields
ready to give forth, bountiful yields

So when he climbed upon the seat
of his big yellow combine to cut the wheat
he turned the key but the engine was dead
and Cornelius' heart grew heavy like lead

The old farmer cursed his woeful luck
knowing that rain could run amok
damped and spoil his splendid crop
because those mighty blades could not chop

Then a thought entered his brain
though it was tethered with some refrain
I'll ask Alfonsus for a lend of his combine
then set off to his house with a bottle of wine

But on the way Cornelius began to think
would his rival kick up an odious stink
gleefully laugh at his desperate plight
and the more he thought, the more he wanted to fight

So when he arrived at his neighbour's door
Cornelius could stand the strain no more
"I don't want your dam combine," he began to shout
While Alfonsus within, wondered what it was all about?

Then off he stormed back up the road
and the crop was lost which he had sowed
thus the moral is plain for all to see
talk to your neighbour, before committing, mutiny!

Let's revive league cricket and give clubs back their ambition and desire to play at the highest level matching the ability of each club.
Two simple changes.
1. Three leagues of ten with two promoted and relegated.
2. No club should be allowed to enter more than two teams at any youth level.

These views are my know etc etc....
I have to say I am struggling to find the reasoning behind the latest decision made by the NCU. This Saturday in the cut throat league of J4 Lvale 2nds were due to play two T20 games. All captains were in agreement!! So not only did I not have to work this weekend but I got 2 games of cricket, Happy days!!! Only to find out that the 2nd game had been blocked. Now I know someone is going to reply quoting the Book, page, chapt, verse and line but come on anyone would think we didn't want to play cricket. I sure being Sept the weather will be glorious between now and the cut off date and all players on both teams won't be playing football or rugby. So to Woodvale see you tomorrow hope it's dry and a good game of cricket is played and to Saintfield sorry about the awkward trip down some evening trying to beat the rush hour traffic and fading light!

Derek Steen
We are sad to report the passing of Derek Steen, our North Down distinguished Patron and former Chairman from 1982-87. Affectionately known as "Jock," Derek played a big part in returning the glory yeas in the 80s and was the catalyst to make change. He was extremely popular and loved the camaraderie in the clubhouse. He was also an excellent 3rd XI skipper and played well on and off the field. We have many wonderful memories to reflect on a great clubman.
Rest in Peace
Clarence Hiles
President

I have noted that the 'sentences' handed down by the Disciplinary Committee have not been posted on the NCU site this season. Is there any reason for this departure from other years? Also, if a player or players get suspended for, say, 2 games but the club for which he/they play have completed their fixtures does the penalty carry forward into next season? As we are under the umbrella of Cricket Ireland and the player/players move to a different Union on the 'Island of Ireland' does the sanction disappear?

I read a lot on forums and other articles about guys quitting cricket as if it was something new . I started thinking about the Graham Cup team that I captained in 1970 - 1972 at Muckamore .
Probably had 20 to 25 players over that period and only Noel McCurry and me went on to play Saturday cricket and Noel stopped within about ten years.
So people have always been quitting cricket. Think back to your Graham Cup team of the 70's , 80's , 90's and see how many moved on to Saturday cricket.
But it's not only cricket, think to the super footballers or rugby players you went to school with who never played the game as adults .
I'm just not convinced tweaking with the game year after year makes it better nor will it stop guys quitting or even bring guys back .

Every year I am amazed that, after some decent weather in September, people advocate using the month to rearrange fixtures. Every year clubs struggle to get teams out as soon as the football, rugby and hockey seasons begin. This is then compounded when school rugby starts on Saturday mornings and throw in the fact that many grounds become unavailable it is completely unworkable. A look at fixtures played in September every year shows plenty of walkovers and farcical matches.

Regarding the debate about the state of the game I definitely believe in reducing games below the Premier League to 40 overs. It is far too simplistic to say "If people love the game they will play it". I know countless cricketers who have stopped playing in recent years and none of them stopped because they no longer loved the game. In almost every case it was because of a change in priorities and the arrival of young families and notion of working all week and then being away all day Saturday and then possibly Sunday no longer appeals. Now I'm not saying that 40 over matches would have prevented all these players from stopping but those 90 minutes less cricket that may have allowed you to get home and have dinner with your family and see the kids before bed might have made a difference for some.

Re: Alastair Burton. Think you will find it is not a lack of interest in playing cricket and more that some teams bowling attacks are not suited to playing on a mat. Indeed had the weather not intervened this week our club would have played 10 matches in 8 days...(no lack of interest there)
I don't know what team you refer to but know this situation arose with Woodvale 2nds this week and as they are in with a chance of promotion, should they win their remaining fixtures, It made perfect sense not play on an artificial surface not suited to their bowling unit.

Teams win leagues and congratulations to them but then their team dramatically changes after then teams who are fighting relegation suddenly hammer the league winners not fair on other teams who are trying to stay up as well ncu should deduct points from them.

Alongside the contributions on various forums I have been chatting to journos/ club pros/ coaches and others over the last few weeks about our beautiful game and the issues at club level.

Unfortunately as with any problem there is no one remedy but the fact that the matters are being addressed / discussed will now hopefully focus all on the cure!

Every club/ community will be different and have varied challenges so be open minded, never give up and don't rule any idea out if untried in respect of making club cricket better!

Having read several posts over the past number of weeks regarding matches not being played or the use of artificial wickets in order to get matches fulfilled I felt compelled to write about our experience this weekend. We were due to play a match one (Junior League 2) on Sunday. A grass pitch had been prepared but due to heavy rain overnight and a split pipe on the covers the pitch was un-playable. Our captain contacted the opposition, explained the situation and suggested getting the match played on our artificial wicket – the response was “our boys don’t want to play on a mat”. I know by the letter of the NCU laws they were within their rights to decline to play on a mat but personally I find this ridiculous especially in September and also when the weather was good. It just seems that there was a lack of appetite to actually play the game at all. We had several young players left dissappointed with no game and this sort of situation will eventually put them off playing the game.

8 wickets win by muckamore agonist academy should see them promoted to primer league. I genuinely hope they will do well in primer league and at least stay up. I watched couple of their games this season .They were a good bowling team but I think they are bit short in the batting dept. Hope they will bring in couple of good batsman for new primer league season.

Many thanks to Laurelvale threes, for one of the most enjoyable games of cricket at Templepatrick today. Pleasure to be part of see you next season