Forum

RE "NDCC former captain" -I have indeed read the volume to which you refer (I was delighted to reeceive it at one of the North Down Awards nights) but I have to say that living where I do I have a wee bit of knowledge of fields & water and I have noticed that round here water flows down hills - maybe its different in other parts of the country! But as I said, Andy McCrea's view maybe isn't far wrong.

The NCU have contacted all club secretaries asking for nominations for positions on the NCU directorate for the 2016/2017 season . ( see NCU website as well ).
So now is the time for all those young people who want to have a real say in the shaping of NCU cricket over the next ten years to ask their club to nominate them for a role on the directorate .
I think this can have a very positive impact on NCU cricket however you must ACT NOW.
Don't sit back and miss the cut off date , don't say "my club never told me " be pro active and go chasing a nomination .
A directorate of 20 and 30 year olds could bring new life to the game . People on this forum have expressed support for the idea - NOW IS YOUR TIME .

NORTH DOWN top pitch our u 15 played on the pitch a few days earlier and one side ground was very soft and just about playable (sound for u 15 game )and there deff was lot heavy downpours the next few days so id say it would been very doubtful , but surely all any team has to do is say we are travelling and if its not playable on arrival so be it . I do agree with Andy no more VOID games have video bowl out as its still about hitting the stumps , Just back with Dundrum u 18 on three day tour of Shropshire which was great success and highly recommend PINK ball for night games unreal for players and spectataors alike and 15 x 8 ball ball overs was big success , full tour report to follow

I’m not a groundsman but I can assure folk that there is a significant difference between the quality of the upper and lower grounds at The Green. Andy K, it’s to do with drainage and not rainfall. If you read the excellent book about the history of North Down you will get an idea why the lower ground is so well drained but alas the top ground is not as fortunate. I once had to ask an umpire who was about to stand at a 1st XI match to inspect the upper ground because the visiting 3rds captain refused to believe that it could be unplayable but unplayable it was.

Just to like echo the comments of the Waringstown supporters who were at Middle road on Saturday.If anybody hasn't been to Middle road its a great place to watch cricket.
Carrick are very much a club on the up with a great team spirit. Nice clubhouse and always made very welcome after a game.

Spent Saturday afternoon at a picturesque Middle road watching Carrick and Waringstown... Surprisingly we avoided most of the days rain (albeit one break) while other got hit!

The Carricks response to 215 target from 35 starting 70-3 off 18 after the rain break was nothing short of remarkable!

Pat Botha hit a excellent and some could say blistering 90 off about 40 balls - some of the cleanest hitting you'll ever see.

Once he departed many including myself would have thought game done and dusted, but wasn't I wrong, both Shetty and Armstrong batted superbly under pressure hitting some vital lusty blows to see Carrick win by 3 wickets

If there ever was a story of the season, Carrickfergus has been that team/club who should be proud of themselves, the Premier League table shows that.

I finish by saying, I hope some of journalist speak with Carrick club and skipper Parky about this remarkable season, as most would have predicted at start of sealant that they may struggle

I have to support 'Mike' or 'Mick' over the postponed North Down - Templepatrick game. The vagaries of Northern Ireland weather are such that it IS possible that rain fell so 'locally' that a pitch would be unplayable while another within 30 yards isn't! Haven't come across this in some 55 years involvement in cricket but it could happen. But then again!! I tend to agree with Mr. McCrea's summation.

No photographers only come out in the sun when it's been dry for two days.....

Ndcc 2nds off today no photographer in site

re William Carr

Since when did 93no equate to a ton?

A big well done to Portadown and Monaghan for managing to play a match yesterday evening.
It was gloomy, and it was raining but that didn't discourage anyone(much). A great game played @ around 8 runs and over. Makes you wonder why more games aren't played in light rain or less than perfect conditions. It's ok to begin a match and then abandon it if conditions become unsafe. There are too many matches not even getting the chance to begin.
The floodlights were on at Chambers park last night, but that was for the benefit of the rugby match on the adjacent pitch!
I should have taken a picture of the rugby under the lights, and the cricket match right beside in the damp and gloom.

R.E Nathan Doak
My apologies, congratulations to the lad on making a ton at 14, superb achievement

Editor's response to the NIgel Jones retirement post.

Have to say I read this differently to you.

'Nigel, top player, and top bloke by all accounts played 19 of the 48 matches scheduled over that period and when he did contributed greatly to what success the Knights had in the early days.'

Hardly a 'very cruel assessment on Nigel' to my reading.

His unavailability was reportedly down more to his employers than himself and no personal criticism is implied there.

What seems to be up for judgement is whether his assertion, in his own words or someone else's about the Knights, past, present and future can withstand scrutiny of the on field performance.

Sing along if you know the words, 'Things can only get better.'

Mike

No thoughts from you then on the reason of my post......... the rule change.
This is something I suggested weeks ago on the forum and also brought up the topic at the NCU road show.

I've just read that Nigel Jones has retired from interprovincial cricket "after a successful four years with the Northern Knights."

I have to say this left me wondering if the 'success' alluded to was at a personal or team level.

Nigel, top player, and top bloke by all accounts played 19 of the 48 matches scheduled over that period and when he did contributed greatly to what success the Knights had in the early days.

But if we're talking Team success then I'm afraid he's turned his back on his normal 'seam' for 'spin'.

"Jones believes the current squad and backroom staff have the necessary ingredients for success in the years ahead, having built solid foundations and having proper structures in place."

Sorry! but it's been downhill all the way for the last 3 years.

2014 brought 1 win out of 4 in each of the 3 competitions
2015 brought 2 wins out of 4 in the 50 overs and 0 out of 8 in the others
2016 brought 1 win out of 4 in the 50 overs and 0 out of 8 in the others.

In three years then out of 36 matches the Knights have managed 6 wins!
That's 3/12 in 2014, 2/12 in 2015, 1/12 in 2016

Not sure that is a solid foundation for any structure to be built on.