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we would of been chasing 400 if i hadnt tempted one of the openers to hit my new ball half tracker into the river 9 balls into the first innings and replaced with a used ball tactics you see ps i got an invoice for £20 from the club i dont mind i will take one for the team haha

There was a quite remarkable tied match at moylena yesterday between Muckamore and Waringstown 2nd XI s both scoring 295 in junior league 1. Junior league 1 is an important and special league where often the next generation of young players just below premier league level play with and against the nuggety old campaigners. Such was the case in this match and when the youthful visitors racked up a score of 295 they could have been tempted to consider the job half done not that their skipper would have let that happen. But had Sky Sports been covering the match WASP would have been rather low at that stage.
But they reckoned without an ex WP batsman playing a most disciplined batting masterclass. I don't even think that the Waringstown bowlers bowled that badly. Just that every slight aberration in line or length was punished along the ground always in the gaps with Baguley wielding the bat with the precision of a surgeon's scalpel. And a few effortless sixes just to show he can do that. If you enjoy proper batsmanship then this innings was a joy to observe.
Three aforementioned nuggety types provided the big hitting at the other end and suddenly the impossible became possible.
I apologise for not having any knowledge of the Waringstown innings but obviously there must have been good batting or poor bowling or both. Or indeed the merits of the tea Terry - sounds like a NW style affair!
Another great NCU match. Cricket was the winner and it's not dead just yet!

Davy McD know one more than me enjoyed the social side of the game . Most Sunday mornings the first question wasn't "did we win?" But "how did I get home?". You looked forward to the trips to Laurelvale, North Down, Holywood in the rugby club, Newforge, Ballymena, Saintfield etc. I can remember many a conversation with the now NCU chairman about "who will stay late but not drink to bring us home? "
However that belonged to another era and social habits have changed , partner expectations have changed and I know from even the last ten years "what time will I be home for? " occupied a lot of people's minds as I captained teams in the Junior Leagues AND not just the young players. People would be available for home games but not away games etc.
So to keep the game alive and I believe we will grow it ( your own club are a shining example of growing ) we have got to " make changes" and I really believe finishing at 6pm with no exceptions is the best way of getting more to play . It can't be allowed to run past because of rain because that's when problems start . With a definite " end time " we can all organise our Saturday evening around that.
School cricket remains important and clubs and the Union should be encouraging more schools to intoduce cricket. Another big change from an earlier era is the number of underage teams and games. When I played you had the Graham Cup and that might have meant one game. Now we have leagues and cups from Under 11's up with some clubs having A and B teams. Maybe we should have an Under 18 league on a Sunday morning as a substitute for Senior School cricket on a Saturday and it could run for May and June only.
I think it's inevitable with more teams we need to play Sunday cricket but if all leagues were 8 teams the need for a lot of double headers disappear.,
I think if the finishing times are sorted the call for less overs will cease. If you are someone who only bowls do you want to bowl less overs ( probably not ) , if you bat in the middle order do you want to get a chance to build an innings (probably). Less overs = less participation = less people wanting to play.
I just think this is staring us all in the face but it needs real leadership to make it happen AND keep the schools on side as they are critical to the continued growth of our sport.
Clubs need to work closer with schools and not just establihed schools.
It's changing times but personally I wouldn't change that "how did I get home?" era for anything .

the secret to chasing down waringstown seconds fine total of 295 hot chicken fillet burgers freshly baked sausage rolls savoury pasta ham and tomato sandwiches chicken coleslaw sandwiches chicken tikka sandwiches a selection of fresh fruit bananas grapes chocolate covered doughnuts a selection of yoghurts biscuits of various choice freshly brewed coffee and tea all well presented by the captains wife now i seen at least 3 players going up 3 times to refill their plates they started off bowling and fielding well but at the end of the 50 overs they knew they had overindulged for their surely was a feast of runs absolutely nothing to do with mr baguleys sublime 107 not out connor breets smashing 85 david raineys quickfire 39 and les allens cameo 25 it was masterminded in the kitchen by the tea lady lol

As regards to all these fine proposals and innovative ideas in order to check this much talked about'malaise' in local cricket, I sincerely hope no 'bright spark' once again suggests omitting the customary tea interval and the much looked forward to food and refrestments that go along with the interval.

Setting aside all the camaraderie, loving-up and team bonding, I for one after being out in the field for whatever number of overs, am absolutely ravenous and ready for a feed!

I recollect a couple of seasons ago that said 'bright spark' got their way and a notion was passed to waive the manditory teas and though mercifully most clubs ignored this obscure ruling and allowed common sense and hospitaly to prevail, some followed the letter of the law and provided naff all for their travelling opponents, a course of action that caused much outcry if memory serves me right!

Come to think of it, it was the lower teams of a certain few 'big' premier clubs which chose not to provide any grub for their guests, I wonder why ?

Perhaps they needed to save their money for other things ??

Early starts

Having now played nearly my first full season in about a decade and umpired one match, I can honestly say I have not heard a single complaint about early starts.

How it is achieved for a full season with the schools agreeing a format I do not know, but if you want players back playing it is the way forward.

another contributing factor to late finishes is slow over rates. At least when official umpires are present they can impose sanctions.

11am starts, finished for 6pm, no teas etc. Time for me to hang up the spikes I think.
after working all week I enjoy relaxing or getting a couple of chores done on a Saturday morning before having to leave for the game, then having a yarn over a brew and a couple of sarnies (or chicken and chips when lucky enough to be at middle road), then after the game a shower and pint are in order and renew aquaintances with players I have played against in the past and chat cricket with those I have just played against.
If the only way you communicate with opposing players is on the field, how are you ever going to get to know them? And if you know an opponent socially then I feel the "banter" on the field is better meaning more enjoyment, more enjoyment will mean more players.
The problem currently I feel is too much Sunday cricket, if you are leaving the WAG on a Saturday morning with the promise of a day together on the Sunday she is likely to be more forgiving than if you try and tell her that you are leaving at 8:30 or 9am both days even if you can be home at 7pm

Ivan - I think we are in agreement on the Schools thing. There are a lot of good people in the schools doing a lot of good work. But there needs to be a coming together and willing to compromise for the "greater good".

I also think that if club cricket took precedence on a Saturday with 11am starts for J1 I would be much less inclined to think a reduction in overs is necessary. The number of people within the league who have commented on how great the 11am starts are the last few weeks is very high.

With regards to a later start in the season for J4 down, that was in relation to schools continuing Saturday cricket for forms 1-4. Of course I forgot to take into account the shorter duration of those games meaning they could still start later and allow for earlier finishes in that scenario.

Neale
Still believe you and MT in a UFC showdown would be good viewing but glad to see you've kissed and made up. I'm sure, like this post, you've seen through the facetious of this message (incidentally, and MT might appreciate this, one of only 2 words in our language with all 5 vowels in order - prize for the other, clue being I'm not being it in Spain!)
There are more feckin roundabouts here than in craigavon. Where is Webster when you need him. Enjoy the states, see you anon

Fossie.

Glad you made it to Costa Blanca - obviously no new roundabouts in Spain to confuse you.
See Michael and I have sorted this matter out cordially without resorting to pugilism. Anyway you know he'd kick my ass in 20 secs - I suspect that's the basis of your encouragement.
Suppose you,lol be trying to get a bit of umpiring in when away?

Catch up when you get back.

Neale

Michael.

Appreciate your response.

Neale

Neale,

If the NCU plays no part in propagating the arguments that I have described as "bullshit", then I apologise sincerely and I will do so again in my next column,

Michael

Reports of the death of NCU cricket are premature and there were cries for the cricket pathologist to be sacked from those of us who were at Carrick for the Lagan Valley Steels T20 trophy last night. When you witness an event as entertaining and as well organised as this one there are only blue skies on the horizon.

Firstly the Carrick club. Twenty years ago I played for NCU presidents XI here when they invited Sir Garry Sobers to open their new club house. Prior to that they operated from a green painted tin shed. Now look at the place and people running it! That's not death that's healthy progress.

Then Cliftonville and marvellous to see so many players from their golden era still playing the game they love alongside some promising youngsters. Age shall not weary them etc..and the sun is not going down just yet!

And lastly muckamore both loved by some and maligned by others the likes of "billy" and "Peter" on here. But tonight a young side mostly teenagers and early twenties supplemented by good coaching and a great innings from a guy who looks like he should have had a lot more Ireland caps than he got.

A most enjoyable evening for a crowd of several hundred and a match played in the true spirit of cricket. Cricket is alive and well on this evidence!

Michael and Neale

A la Harry Hill. Only one way to settle this.....FIGHT!

Great stuff - who needs a kindle for holiday reading. This debate tops anything Irvine Welsh has to offer! Keep it coming