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It's just about all over bar the shouting for another season, and even if your club didn't win anything or even worse, were relegated? No need for dispair!
Only 220 odd days to go until we all begin again on that glorious trail...
As The Cricket Season Draweth Nigh
As the cricket season draweth nigh
summer swallows migrate and fly,
players and officials heave a sigh
then bid each other a sad goodbye.
The great fraternity, likewise comply
departing to homes, warm and dry,
like hibernating bears, preparing to lie,
within caves, safe from winter's chilling pry.
Gone at last, their craving to satisfy
a curiosity, encroaching wry
incessant in hunger, like a fox sly
now nourished with knowledge, no more to vie.
Victory secured, the trophy raised high
embellished on silver, the names testify
noble battles fought out, on green fields of rye,
big fish inevitability, consume small fry.
As grey clouds gather in a foreboding sky
the falling leaf does not belie,
gone the days of a balmy July
willow v leather, cream with strawberries or apple pie.
The laws of nature, must apply
so summer flowers will fade then die
but wipe that tear from your eye,
no need for sorrow or mournful cry.
For as sure as a pig sleeps in a sty
father time marches forward, by and by
thus, the glorious bloom shall return and multiply,
likewise, the great fraternity to again soliloquy...
If their team will lift the cup, or fall and go awry?
'Winter well'
bumper
that fixture if it is to happen will be some banter. a bit of added spice since the few guys that have moved on to bigger and better things used to play for saintfield and a certain couple of ex members of downpatrick playing for them. I hope the scorebooks add up and saintfield come up. Great wee ground and i miss the local derbies.
Good article by Clarence Hills commending Waringstown's season,
With all the talk of 10-team leagues, dwindling playing numbers and a decline in standards, its pleasing to focus on what has been a positive end to the season not just for Waringstown but also for NCU cricket,
The success for the club has been a culmination of hard work, preparation & a determination to give young players their chance. The hard work that goes into practice nights by both players & coaches has laid the foundation of success, it hasn't come as an accident.
Some judges in the media & opposition captains labelled them bridesmaid; a tag that's looking a little silly now.
Billy,
Not so quick. I heard a lot of calculators were bought in Portadown this morning so there may be some calculations taking place in the Laurelvale clubhouse this evening. After all, .0011 might not be too hard to find over the course of a season. So small a margin and great at the Demesne, but tough on the 'vale.
A lot of people will now be already looking forward to the big fixture of the 2016 cricket season!
SAINTFIELD v SAINT(down)PATRICK.
Well done to all at Saintfield CC.
Barry,
The NCU AGM is on 13 October.
Re annual AGM, anyone aware of any date for this yet?
a real nailbiter at moylena today a game that was played in the right spirit by both teams a special thanks to the umpires for standing in the rain a fitting end to the season but i would like to see the ncu show more emphasis on supporting the struggling clubs in the agm because without them where do we expect our next crop of young lifeblood appear from
congratulations to Muckamore 3rds on winning the league today. needing 196 to beat woodvale they were reduced to 106-9 but a spirited innings from their captain and some impressive hitting from their big number 11 saw them home in the last over. well done
I've been very fortunate in my career and am luckily still involved in a playing capacity - although 8/10 games a year. I'm currently involved with Laurelvale and whilst only playing about 8 games this year every one has been meaningful. My Dad was a Laurelvale man and had always asked me to play at at least a season at the club - at aged 41 and well after his death I took notice. This is a provincial club with true club men integral to its success. I am proud to have played here and my Dad was right in saying you'll enjoy the Vale- now I'm lucky to have lifted a Senior cup but if the boys manage to get promotion tomorrow it will feel every bit as good and regardless Lee Edgar with over 55 wickets this season deserves any and every accolade !
well done to Donacloney for "hanging in" Section 1 - great start to their 125th anniversary in 2016
Interesting statement from NWCU that Brigade will not take part in a play-off and that Coleraine will be awarded the trophy by default. Terrible way to end a season although run rate would have sorted it out without the play-off had it been in place.
Can someone tell us why Brigade won't play in the play-off?
Could I just pass on - on behalf of Ballymena 2nd XI - a huge thank you to Carrick Cricket Club for their setting up of a celebratory drink for our players after they had secured the Junior 2 title with a victory over the Middle Road club's Seconds.
It was an extremely generous act after a hard fought title decider and leads me to wonder how many other clubs would have done the same.
I would also like to pass on my congratulations to Carrick 2nds as they were our nearest challengers this summer and this after only winning promotion from Junior 3 the previous year.
Keep up the good (and sporting) work.
Really nice to hear that Neil, great sportsmanship from Carrick.
Matt
On paper with Ryan Haire and the pro we signed plus Neil Gill and Gary Nicholl and young Jay Hunter joining us it's understandable why people had us down as favourites however within the club that wasn't how we saw it. We consistently played 5 teenagers and I'm sure they will be better players next season. Young Sam Gordon scored over 400 runs and Calum Weir took over 20 wickets while Shane Henderson got better as the season went on. We lost our pro through injury after 7 league games and while we could have replaced him it was decided to introduce another teenager Aditya Adey instead. Another year in Section One will help develop these young players but I think it's fair to say we will make a push in 2016 but I wouldn't be surprised if anyone of half a dozen clubs are thinking the same and all of them have a realistic chance.
Isn't it great though, when favorites don't win as expected and we get some surprises??
