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Cheers NCU member, good luck next year

I feel compelled to add my opinion to the current rumbling of clubs/game in decline and the need to shorten games.

This is in no way intended as a 'blowing our own trumpet' exercise. I'm simply a bit cheesed off with a lot of the negativity surrounding our great game.

I'm happy to report that, although our 1st XI had a disappointing season, as a club we are very happy with where we are at. We are putting out 4 senior teams on a regular basis, competing in those leagues and have A&B teams at every youth level (bar Colts).

We have a superb team of coaches and captains whose tireless efforts make this all possible. However this would not be possible without the playing membership and support of parents etc.

We want our 1st XI playing 50 over games and so do all of our players, young and old.
Less overs for the more junior teams is perfectly fine but once you start reducing 1st XI cricket where does it stop?

There's been a lot of talk about the young players not wanting to play long games. We don't have this problem.
If people love the game they will play it. Will golfers start playing 9 holes because 18 takes too long? Don't think so.

We see our youth, 3rd and 4th XI games as a way to enthuse young players about the game. We try, as much as possible, to give kids roles within those teams so that they feel important and integral to the team. It only has to be the chance to bowl a couple of overs or bat a couple of places higher than they expect to get them hooked on the game. That's why they keep coming back for more and want to play up the club and in longer games. It may cost us victory in some matches, but the long term benefits are worth this small price.

Don't get me wrong, we want to win, but not at all costs. Too many times I've witnessed the top 5 batters in a youth match also being the 5 bowlers and sharing the gloves too!!!! Where's the enjoyment for the other 6 players??? How long will they continue to simply fill a shirt???

Can anyone see any similarities in senior cricket here???

I think some senior players will drift away as there are too many hired guns, passport loopholes and tenuous, non cricket related jobs created to bolster some ambitions and our own players' opportunities have become more limited. I don't see how this really benefits cricket development in N.I.

Do things need a shake up and change? Definitely!

Andy Nixon made some very good points in his article.

The rearrangement rules really need looked at. There really is no joy in travelling/ sitting around with virtually no hope of play which happens because teams are petrified of having games voided.
We rush every season to get games finished by the start of September, often playing in poor conditions and on poor pitches, to then see glorious sunny days with no games left to play. September can be a nightmare in terms of player/ ground availability and would be tough for us as a club but it seems wasted in my opinion. Why can there not be another attempt at a Match 2 before its binned?

We must be allowed to play games on artificial wickets at any time. Everyone wants to play on grass but we have to be realistic. In our climate, we're not going to get 'roads' every week but you only have to look at some of the scores from this season to see that the ball appears to be coming out on top of the bat regularly. Surely this to some degree has to be attributed to tough batting wickets?
If both captains agree get the game played on whatever surface is best.

The capping of overseas players involvement in games would be a step in the right direction - retiring at 50 and limiting overs bowled. This would encourage player development rather than reliance and encourage appointments based on coaching credentials rather than just batting averages etc.

Cricket is not the only sport suffering in these times - playing numbers are falling in a lot of sports. Part of this is due to the variety of other social and sporting activities widely available but part of it is clubs not doing enough to sustain themselves for the future by providing a good product and opportunities for kids.

Start playing the long game!

Re junior 1.

All teams bar waringstown pretty much opted for 40 over matches. That is the preferred duration at this level. Which is junior cricket.
And there is nothing wrong with that. it's moving with the times. it's making cricket more amenable to more people and that can't be a bad thing.
I'm recent years the junior leagues have been opened, duration of matches varied, start times amended , two up two down instroduced. All these have made cricket more attractive and more interesting.
I am not convinced that opening all the leagues would be a good idea. I see smaller clubs suffering. Also with all due respect do you think that junior one clubs who play at the top grounds will want to play on uncovered pitches etc ?

I think we should be playing as much overs as we can. Because if we ie ireland want to play test match cricket then we should be playing as much as we can. Yes in the lower JL leagues you should play 40 maybe 35 overs. But from JL1 and 2 you should play 50 over. Just because to younger players might 1 day be playing for the 1st x11 so why not get use to it now? Just seems weird that we don't want to play as much as we can. Cheers.

Congratulations to templepatrick on claiming 4 points for a match that was called off there was a chance to rearrange but you chose to get the points without playing great to see the spirit of cricket being shown you should be really proud of yourselves NOT!!!

Pete Portadown . Why not make the change you want regarding voting entitlements a proposal to the AGM ?
Then you will see if that's what the club's actually want .

Pete

Templepatrick are trying to put this system into place. Last I heard they were trying to work out how to change a bye law, which is done at the AGM. Andy McCrea would be able to update the situation

Michael, at Instonians we did not play a single 50 over game* in Junior 1 this year. When proposing the rule I expected the 40 over option to be utilised mostly in early season and late season when teams were perhaps struggling to get sides out.

Turns out the appetite for 40 over cricket at that level was larger than expected. I have to say I found the 40 over games much more involving than 50 overall as well.

*Disclaimer - this is not totally due to our inability to bat time for once, we actually did bat our full allocation more this year than in recent seasons!

The NCU AGM is a bit of a waste of time as the proposals made by clubs are voted on by all clubs in attendance so for example Monaghan would be entitled to vote on the amount of overs being played in Junior 1 or something affecting the Premier League - something that does not affect or is likely to affect Monaghan but they have their vote on it.

Would it not be the case that any proposals made at the AGM are only voted on by teams it directly affects or the teams in the league above it and below it so say a proposal is made to limit Section 2 games to 40 overs then only the clubs in Section 1, 2 and 3 can vote on it or if a Proposal is made for Junior 9 then only clubs in Junior 8 and 9 are entitled to vote?

To celebrate Donaghcloney Cricket Club's 125th Anniversary we are holding a celebration dinner at the Belmont Hotel.
Guest speaker : Graham Thorpe ex England international cricketer and current batting coach of the current test team.
Music : Quorum
Dress code : Smart/evening dress
Cost : £50 per ticket.
Raffle and Auction on the night.
Enquiries and to book your ticket : Keith Ogle 07711918875

Question - how many 50 over matches where played in junior 1 outside of waringstown involvement?

any ?

Jeff

TCC know the work DCC are doing and in the correct areas - keep it up.

The key message that came out of the NCU roadshow that I was at, was FLEXIBILITY.

Rules should allow more flexibility for teams to actually get matches played.
How about this....... default overs is 50 overs but if both captains and teams are happy to reduce on the day - then let's play.

This is what happens in junior leagues and it seems to suit most.

Armagh CC proposed 40 overs as a rule change a few years back as they said their research said most players at a variety of clubs they spoke to, wanted it - yet the NCU AGM voted against it.
Allowing this flexible rule might allow the captains and players to make the decision based on the vagaries of the day.
Ok, not all teams will want to reduce but if there are teams out there who do - at least the flexible option is there.

By the way - no shame in not getting a team out- as you said - nobody died - you are doing lots of other good stuff and it will all fall into place as you love the game.

regards
Andy

On the back of the hardest season in my 45 years playing Dundrum cc didnt field a first team in 52 years in the NCU league and received bit criticisim some rightly so and some ridiculous from people that are getting paid to play the game that i love and do for free .Dundrum as anyones knows started with overseas professional 7 years ago to rebuild the club from the bottom up and now have minis u11/13/15/17 teams that have been quite successful and the only club in the NCU that have last three years went on tour to the UK and will again next year .The club has been excellent in trying to promote the game of cricket and went too six primary schools and three seondary school in both sides of the community and ran eight week course with finals days FREE OF CHARGE .The club has also this year got in Defibrillator and elecric to the scorebox for bowling machine practice and broadband all around the meadow and extended the boundary to play u15 games on grass wickets . So trust me we will keep pushing to strengthen our fine club and anyone that knows me or my fine Dundrum cc we will get there and yes im still annoyed on the back of a great tour that on black saturday and other sports started we let the NCU and Templepatrick down but no one died ,we are in tough sporting times as soccer /hockey/gaa and golf are feeling the same struggles . But as one person who loves 50 over games it beggars belief that we cant try 40 over games to try and get young and old wanted to play more and if not successful after one season we can revert back at any time but for me its a must TRY in section two at least try for the game we all love to improve the involvement of people that are fed up with the long day .Yes there is lot teams real strong and want 50 overs but far bigger ammount young players that simply are quitting after playing thru schools and youth cricket .PS WON 1420£ FRIDAY night but went to bed feeling sick that i couldnt get team out so people that are slagging aint got CLUE HOW MUCH PRIDE I HAVE IN THE LOVE OF CRICKET .

Dundrum cricket club went to Shropshire after visting Ayr the previous two years and played three games and another that got rained off in the three day trip that finished with a superb day at paintballing .Dundrum u-18 tour took 13 players and Tour manager Paddy Hutley Dave Williams scorer and coach Jeff Maguire and it was very well organised from the moment they arrived at George Best airport although how Jack Taylor could blame his dad for heading to the wrong airport beggars belief . The flight took 45 mins and 35 to get the kits bags then was off to St Georges in Telford and it was strange that after being on the go for 7 hours that they chose to bat even tho the wicket was a belter and it backfired as the captain Terry Hutley went for a duck 4th ball and when Asif Hassan 3 for 9 got both Greg Hutley 4 and Eoin Moag 5 with the score 32 for 3 of 8 overs it was looking like the strong senior team was far too good for them. Jack Taylor started positively as did Matthew Porter both cracking boundaries as Dundrum seemed intent on going after the bowling in the 30 over game that they would regret as 14 overs went unused.The home side had mixture off seniors and youth and it was young spinner Nathen Kelly that ripped out middle order with 3 for 28 just when Matthew Porter was well set with 28 including 5 boundaries and Jack Taylor 16 .but Matthew Dougherty showed that the tail could wag with 20 priceless runs as Dundrum scored 101 which was poor effort on the best wicket you could bat on and the fact 14 overs left was not lost on the coach hence he would have bowled first after the early travelling . St Georges opened with the hard hitting experianced indian Bobby Gill but when the other opener was out after Harry Hitchens hit middle stump first ball and it was just what the villagers needed as they fought back to reduce the home side to 32 for 5 with Greg Stewart best bowler on tour was on the money with 2 wickets and three maidens and Eoin Moag getting two wickets for 19 .The home side captain Sam Morgan who plays for first eleven and is a very high class stylish batsman went about the job of chasing the last 50 required with a classy 27not out including two big sixes and two boundaries with Matthew Porter and Jack Taylor getting the last two wickets to fall with St Georges winning by 3 wickets in the 27th over. The next game was a 15 over bash with everyone having a bowl and both openers scored half centurys with Bobby Gill looking a decent player and captain Sam Morgan 25 with 144 the total and when rain stopped play Dundrum had reached 44 for 3 with Matthew Dougherty 16 not out they had excellent tea and off to the cinema and prepare for two games the next day . The next day as it was in Scotland they seemed less tired and more prepared they got very good start with Jack Taylor 32 and Harry Hitchens16 and Matthew Porter 21 but it was the captain Terry Hutley batting six and brother Greg at nine that upped the tempo with 66 runs coming in the last five overs with some very attacking shots from both Terry was not out on 40 and Greg 34 out trying to repeat another big six as Dundrum posted a useful target of 178 for 7 in 20 overs Callum Watson a very good young 14 year old bowling quick with late swing as the 6 feet 3 inch lad bowls for Shropshire 3 for 27 he was the pick of the St Georges attack . Dundrum knew to win they would have get the home sides talisman Sam Morgan out early and they got worst possible start as third ball Harry Hichens had to retire injured . but Stuart Campbell got Morgan but it was a very good diving catch by Eoin Moag as wicket keeper and Jack Taylor and Greg Stewart both got wickets with the total 28 for 3 in six tidy overs .Dundrum were content on keeping the hard hitting Bobby Gill on the bench as they seemed to avoid a few catches and run outs . but Indian all rounder Awais Arif 29 batted well with Alex Thornton 21 late runs came from from Callum Watson with 21 not and Bobby Gill as both hoisted couple big sixes each they scored 135 for 6 in 20 overs to give the team a good boost winning by 42 with many thanks to captain Sam Morgan who got players from other clubs .

T20 PINK BALL MUSIC PUMPING AND BARBEQUE AT MADELEY CC

Dundrum travelled the short distance to play Madeley in there last game and it was to be a night to remember as the pink ball was unreal the difference at night time and it was new format that was good as 15 eight ball overs they got great start as Stuart Campbell who has had superb year with bat and ball he hit some cracking shots to every part of one the oldest cricket grounds in England as 51 runs came in 4 overs with Stuart 26 and Jack Taylor 12. and Matthew Porter the shot of the tour with massive strainght six out the ground 18 . Madelley had a very quick bowler in Nutting but he simply bowled far to short but at 63 for 3 of six overs the game turned to Dundrum as there captain Terry Hutley batting at five produced a superb knock againest good bowling with 70 not out in 40 balls playing some cracking aggressive shots with 103 coming in 9 overs he got good support from Eoin Moag as they reached 167 for 6 and with lots boundaries the music added to the good crowds excitement .Dundrum bowled very good line and length Eoin 2 for 13 and man of the match Terry 2 for 21 Tom Clinton batted well for the home side 34 and one of the best catches ive seen was taken by the best fielder on tour Eoin Moag as bad light stopped play with Madeley on 87 for 7 with only 3 overs left but it was definitley the right decision to bring the players off . The players were treated to a superb barbeque and already theres plans for a T20 three team competition next year.The tour was superbly set up for cricket and fun and was a great success and many thanks to both excellent hosts St Georges and Madeley cricket clubs .

Player of the tour Terry Hutley with excellant average of 112
Best bowler Greg Stewart
Best Fielder Eoin Moag
Players player Matthew Dougherty
Coaches player Eoin Moag outstanding wicket keeping superb catching and bowling .

Great game at Chambers Park on Sunday.Thanks to Alan Chambers for keeping the cricket flag flying in Portadown. The feeling is that a return to the NCU in some form is not far of. Thanks Maxine for serving up a wonderful after the match meal.