Features

It’s that time of the year when one door closes and another door opens

It is always good to reflect at the end of a year on what will live longest in our cricket memories of the past 12 months

If there is one thing that arouses more passion than anything else in team sport then it is selection!

Hats off to Cricket Ireland for coming up with the new National Cup and keeping it outside the flagship Irish Senior Cup competition and the 2nd elevens of the top clubs.

I have always enjoyed the company of umpires.

Calling all cricketers-this may be your last chance to own a piece of history as sales of “The History of the NCU Challenge Cup 1887-2011” have been brisk and as this is a limited issue, once they go that’s it!

Howard Burns was a popular NCU umpire in the early Fifties and stood every Saturday at senior games all over Belfast and as far afield as Downpatrick and Muckamore.

Local cricket historian Clarence Hiles launched his second cricket book this morning at a Book Launch in Belfast.

NCU Secretary Bryan Milford superbly masterminded the organization of the NCU Gala Dinner last Saturday evening with precision and efficiency to cap the 125th Anniversary of the Union

In response to the work of the Senior Cricket Working Group and in particular the overwhelming view of NCU clubs against the what has become anautomatic third Friday re-arrangement in relation to clubs which opt not to play on Sundays the Board proposed the following Serial for consideration:- 

On the face of it 16 Motions at the NCU Annual General Meeting next Wednesday might warn us of a long night, but many of the proposed changes are fine-tuning and constructive change

Anyone who has reached 125 not out at the crease will look back at one of their finest performances and, it the same vein, everyone associated with the Northern Cricket Union can take pride in the Union's celebration of 125 years existence.

The highlight of Lisburn's 175th Anniversary celebrations came off with some style on Saturday evening when their Gala Dinner was held at The Island Hall in the superb Lagan Valley Lisburn Civic Centre.

It’s been a good two weeks for Cricket Ireland and everyone within the Irish camp can take a well-earned rest after another season of growth and rising esteem

Looking from the outside, the 2011 season went much like previous years with Waringstown, North Down and Instonians the dominant three teams