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Injury is no respecter of age, class or creed and can afflict any cricketer at any time, and sadly in extreme cases, force them into premature retirement, though, far too many never return to the game in any shape or form.

Both Andy Clement and Andy Kennedy are the epitome of expertise in their respective fields of craft and shinning examples to any ambitious cricket enthusiast, as to how much one can achieve outside the actual field of play.

However, having said that, not all can commit or wish to aspire to such dizzy heights, but, if like a certain player at our club, who sadly has suffered a career threatening blow, there' s no need to bury one's head in the sand and call it a day.....

Ode to Robbie Streat

Robbie Streat, could not be beat
a cricketer of substance
First out to bat, wearing his cloth hat
left-handed, in style and stance

And he could bowl, with pace and soul
always on the money
Deceptively quick, quite a unique trick
every batsman was his bunny

In he'd bound, right arm over or around
never conceding extras
His talent stretched deep, for he wicket-keep
was there ever one so dextrous?

Alas, he announced one day, “No more play
boys, this time I admit defeat
Due to a ruptured knee, from now, I’ll make the tea
the end is nigh, for Robbie Streat”

Sadly, his teammates sighed, some even cried
on hearing of his plight
for they knew, Robbie was the glue
which bonded flagging spirits in a fight

But their grief was short, as Robbie did retort
“I'm not one to hide my light under a bushel
By trade a fitter and no quitter
beyond the boundary, is where I'll flex my voice-muscle

I shall take my rightful seat, alongside a class elite
with Gerald, big Harv and many more
So uplift your hearts, for when the season starts
together, we'll give ‘em war! “

I'd like to wish Andy Clement a speedy recovery and hope his knee surgery proves to be a roaring success, amazing nowadays what these specialist surgeons can do, perhaps Andy may even don the whites again and resurrect his halcyon days as a prolific fast bowler ?

Coincidently enough, we too have a senior player threatening permanent retirement due to a 'gammy' knee and claims his doctor states the other one will go too if he continues to play on.

I advised him if nothing else works to try a squirt of WD40 or a little 3-1 oil to ease up his sore joint but the next day he told me it didn't work as he couldn't bear the taste !

You couldn't make it up, could you ?

It's very quiet on here. Is that an indication that Andy Clement and his NCU team are doing such a good job that everyone is happy.
Now that Andy's laid up for a couple of months recovering from his replacement knee surgery this would be a good time to give him more things to think about on how we can keep improving the game.
Are we all now happy with the number of overs being played in each league?

Are we happy with the five bowlers rule in lower leagues?

What's the feeling about playing into late September rather than trying to cram the season into 17 weeks?

Should the NCU fixtures committee be looking at a week's break next season to let the Northern Ireland soccer supporters among it's fraternity a chance to go to France for the Euro Championships?

What can the Union do to help clubs get ex players back involved ?

Or are their many more topics that can be debated here and help us "shorten the winter"?

Some more Ulster Grasshoppers stats now available in the Archives section guys, be sure to have a look. Some interesting stats and information. Work is always happening! More info soon.

Saintfield Cricket Club are considering taking on a local player/coach for the 2016 season. Anyone interested in such a role can contact, on a strictly confidential basis, Colin Webster at r.webster333@btinternet.com or Martin Rodgers at mrod21@btinternet.com. Any interest should be registered by 1st November.

As a scorer with many years experience the pride in keeping a neat and coherent account of each match is certainly something to be proud of. Alas not all clubs have a regular scorer so when it comes to deciding upon a league on run rate the reliance on a trained and experienced scorer can be worth its weight in gold. As for the new devices, you require electric power if your battery is not too reliable. But another factor we play in a world where the game is not a matter of life and death. Our Premier league may use electronic devices to score but that is not an essential tool for other leagues. It may be better to invest in scorers for each 1st XI as a means of ensuring accurate scores and above all to be part of the officials to allow the game to flow smoothly.

have to take issue with David in his comments on the "end of season" video (which I think is excellent by the way) when he asks "how hard is it to check the books at the end of the game?"While the umpires have to satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the scores they can have no responsibility for the NRR.

Ivan you are right about friends and family, this is what keeps many clubs going. Taverners recently fielded three pairs of Brothers. Also one Father prepared the pitch, one umpired and one scored and four local clubs were represented on that team.
Does it show that I've been browsing through our score book?

congratulations to the NIACUS side that almost brought the White Stick Trophy north on Saturday - couple of runs short. Maybe this is the start of a new era to equal that of P.L.O'Hara when he was skippering the team.

Have CIYMS really signed South African legend Justin Kemp? Great signing for profile of NCU if it's true

Alan
I think cricket at club level is still about family , friends , socialising and relaxing. It certainly is at Muckamore and over the last few years I have been to many different clubs and no matter what level , you get the impression it's the same.
Yes winning is important and a lot of fun would disappear if it wasn't but that doesn't take away from having family around, playing with friends and generally socialising and relaxing.
I can't think of any other sport like cricket for developing life time friends and that's probably because of the time you spend together on the pitch and also helping to win as a team.

Caleb.
You said, nailed it when you said "family, friends, socialising and relaxing etc".
Time was a good day at the cricket was exactly that.

Matt .The treasurers report is always worth reading and brilliant work by Dawn but think it should be addressed at the end if anyone wants discuss it , i personally think they spend the money wisely . The NCU do great work but will never get everything 100% which is understandable as they work unpaid to run a sport we all love but unless something changes a lot more players of all ages are leaving the game . People fear change and like myself was againest the PROS but without us getting one our club would be folded as we are on the second phase of 10 year plan with u/11/13/15 teams but getting them to commit to the 50/40 over longer day that is the challenge that all clubs face .Dundrum first team is the weakest in my career but it just motivates me to try and get the next generation of players involved in our small village and we going into at least 8/10 primary schools from both communities and Shimna college and hence the need for overseas coach to help with our volunteers coaches . We also starting to extend the boundary and getting broadband in as it will help keep kids safe in the pavilion and more drainage as we will try and improve our club in every area but its time cricket was enjoyable as opposed to be a chore to get players to want commit on weekends add in EXAMS homework and its getting harder as no doubt if school games were wed or fridays it be lot better for everyone involved . ps FREE ADMISSION to all Ireland and cup finals for all UMPIRES is something that needs addressed as they most important part of the game and lets be honest wouldnt cost very much ?

As regards the reduction of overs in section 2, I believe there is a middle ground that needs to be reached before going down this avenue.

If Sunday's were to be kept free for family, friends, socialising and relaxing etc. Would a 50 over game of cricket on a Saturday be such a hardship for some, or to use Jeff's terminology, " a waste of a full day " ?

Of course, with both Captain's consent, there's no reason why an overdue game couldn't be rescheduled for a Sunday but I agree, the replay should be a match 2 scenario and played midweek.

One problem as I see it with reducing overs in a senior league, is that it somewhat undermines and makes playing 50 overs in Junior 1, rather naff and nonsensical, and I don't think the premier hierarchy want that league reduced?

So why not start an hour earlier if these 'young-uns' have to get away early to see their partners, drink beer, lemonade or whatever it is they do nowadays of a Saturday night ?

And while I'm here, I know the boss doesn't want anymore NRR chat, but if I may be so bold ? Why can't teams tied on league points play a one off, winner takes all match of said amount of overs on an arbitrary date set by the NCU secretary ?

Would seem to me to make more sense in deciding who goes up or who remains, than by someone sitting at their desk on a calculator, pulling their hair out in trying to come to an agreed figure ?

All these points must be highlighted at this year's AGM and then voted upon accordingly, or if not, I see a horrible vision in my crystal that in years to come, we'll all be playing cricket against eachother in our living rooms, online in front of our TV and computer screens!!

' Heaven forbid '

Well said Jeff Maguire. We need fresh thinking from people like you and just a comment on the voting at agm maybe the clubs should be the only people voting?
Don't ignore the financial report as it shows where all the money comes from and is spent. Sponsors pay good money but the union doesn't pass any on in prize money. The clubs need to change this. This is the most important document the agm presents so look at it carefully. Forget the window dressing in the secretary's report and focus on the financial report.