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Bit of a storm on Facebook following the cancellation of a game yesterday and some of the comments, if repeated elsewhere, could be decidedly actionable. And coming from some guys for whom I had respect makes it more objectionable. To try to bring a modicum of common-sense I would remind everyone of Law 7:2 -"the umpires shall be the sole judges of the fitness of the pitch.....". See Law 3:8 (a-c) for "Fitness to play". No mention of "having played in worse, etc." Umpires' opinions will vary so to qoute what has happened in the past "butters no parsnips". But there is a point that I feel has been missed in the correspondence. There are clubs (and note I refer to clubs plural) that, for various reasons, have limited drying facilities, especially where grounds are known to be "wet". An example would be Woodvale, that a few years ago suffered from wet conditions. Remedial work has resolved that situation and credit must go to all involved in that process. However if clubs don't have the equipment then they must accept that the weather conditions in which we live in Northern Ireland will create problems - end of story. And a footnote on teas - gammon & egg sarnies at Belmont yesterday as Flossie would say "to die for".

How many wickets does it take for Trevor Brittain to get selected for the Knights? Form bowler...

Do all the Premier league matches start at 11am now?

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Update: We are having a slight technical problem with the forum which won't allow anyone to post. We are working to get this fixed to allow us to resume to normal service asap.
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Ulster Cricketer.

Much credit must go to north down for hosting the cup final. The ground staff work tirelessly in extremely difficult circumstances to ensure the match was completed. An excellent crowd enjoyed a thrilling finish in the "second" game.
Having had the pleasure of playing in a two day final (the last one) and a one day final there is no comparison. The two day final was unique and made getting there that bit more special. The day it was voted out we lost a great tradition.

also - to pick up on bumperdale's comments - I recall the discussion at an AGM a few years ago when the change of moving the Challenge Cup from a 2-day event was proposed. If my memory is correct, one of the points made was that the sponsors would have preferred a 1-day event and after much debate, the proposal was passed.

Tommy - you make a very valid point. The standard of teas is, in some instances, diabolical - especially from clubs where perhaps better could be expected. But then again its interesting to pick up on some of the general chat round the table where there are"good" teas. Heard a wee whisper over the last week about a situation that if correct, raises a lot of questions. The scenario that I heard arose when a less "fashionable" club put a wee lad forward for one of the coaching courses. It was suggested to the wee lad, at the course, by one of the coaches that if he wished to progress then he had to move to one of the more fashionable clubs - funnily enough a club of which the coach is a member. End result is that the wee lad moves clubs and ends up playing less cricket than if he had stayed at his - to use an expression from another organisation - "mother" club. Now I realise that these coaches put in a lot of effort and I have no axe to grind, but having had a few conversations round clubs, I do get the feeling that there is a view out there that while we are all equal, some are more equal than others! As I say, it is interesting what one hears round the club houses having a pint after the match! (and then home early Hiler - how times have changed!!) But to get back to the subject of teas - I haven't had the pleasure of being at Lisburn this year but I have great memories of their spreads last year. Ulster Rugby have an award, presented at the Annual Dinner for the most hospitable club based on referees' assessments - perhaps NIACUS could introduce something similar.

A quick question, something I have noticed in recent years of club cricket is the decline in standard of teas? I know some places you are always in for a great feed but I feel these are now becoming few and far between. It doesn't take miracles to improve so would hope this in only a blip

CUP FINAL WOES-
Cup finals stopped being special games to the players involved when they reduced it to one innings affairs.
Throw in D/L and you get very dissatisfied spectators, often meaningless results and a game that is not worthy of the NCU top game of the season!!
If we are to keep the one innings final then forget about D/L and play to the finish and may the best team over 100 overs be the victor!!

CIYMS 45-0 through 11 overs.

i would like to apologise as well to michael taylor for swearing at him at ballymena cc i take my cricket far too serious and life is too short too hold grudges and they end up just eating away at your soul and should we meet on the cricket field at the end of the match i will surely shake his hand

I got the bumper nickname from an infamous game in my teens when I took 4wickets and 4retired hurts!
The legend nickname from my longevity as a player!
But I am beginning to believe my own PR as I made my way to the crease in two recent games, firstly I had fly past by the Red Arrows and on Saturday an invitation over the mike at Dungannon to participate in the Strongest Man competition!!!!

Delighted to learn that the Victoria "pro" is still going strong! Flossie still talks about his dancing skills at Brownlow House. As I have posted before I don't recall anyone ever telling me that they retired too late. Keep her lit Gerald!!

During a recent match our own pro bowled his allotted 6 overs straight through, conceding not that many and capturing a couple of wickets in the process.

Not a feat that will go down in the annals of cricket lore and indeed, he was critical of his own efforts in that he had bowled one wide and a couple had pitched leg side, allowing the batsman a relatively easy scoring opportunity.

Still, I thought to myself, not a bad return for a man who will soon be celebrating his 78th birthday.....

The Doctor's Letter

Though never better, I received a doctor's letter
concerning a visit routine,
puzzled all the same, regarding it's aim
to the surgery, I did convene

Reporting at reception, I was accused of deception
"you're not listed here," a lady remarked,
"this cannot be, here's a letter from my GP
though no regular caller," I barked

"Well my good fella, I'll have to go to the cellar"
the secretary grumpily said,
after one hour, she returned even more sour
holding a tattered folder of red

"Now sir please listen, you're not on our system
but it's clear from this old file,
although certainly latent, you once were a patient
so Dr Barker will see you, in a short while"

Whilst sat outside his room, I grew aware of the gloom
as folk waited to be seen,
transfixed to mobile phones, like listless drones,
awaiting a pardon from the queen

In turn, each through the door, then back out as before
still calling and texting,
clutching paper prescriptions, for various afflictions
a due process, I found rather vexing

Soon my turn, to meet the doctor looking stern
weary of the daily regime,
but he broke into a smile, noting the name on the file
"come in, sit down, I want to come clean

I personally looked you up, from your name on a cup
my grandfather kept in his study,
he was once your GP, and I further decree
a past teammate and buddy

He often spoke of your strong-will and athletic skill
combined, to defeat any foe,
yet down through the years, despite blood, sweat and tears
to his general practice, you'd never go

Now forty years on, how can you go so long
without ever a sick day,
regularly seen, out on the village green,
still playing and plugging away? "

"Now young Dr Barker, let me put down a marker
as to why, I remain free of all ills,
play the game hard but fair, with gusto and flare,
to negate the need for any pills

Always bat straight, to narrow the gate
and bowl to the sweat drips from my brow,
for the simple trick to it, is to keep playing cricket
so I'll see you again, in another forty years from now "