Forum

Ivan,
Very interesting point on the respective strengths of each union but I'm not sure the Interpros should be used solely to evaluate budding players and the respective strengths of cricket breeding grounds. We have youth teams aplenty to do that and this tournament is not about development squads-it is about the best playing the best in a potential 1st Class tournament to impress the ICC godfathers. How many Manchester United players come from Manchester-but does it matter? The NCU team contains players with NCU qualifications and that's the basis of selection. Also, if a player is good enough he should be selected irrespective of which club he plays for and there are plenty of examples of that down the years.

Formula 1 Cricket

A winning cricket team, is a much admired, glorious machine
that can be likened to a potent racing car
each component must gel and glean, on field be ruthless, mean
as a well tuned engine will propel it, fast and far

The captain sits behind the wheel, knows the buttons and pedals to feel
reads the road and stays in constant control
seeks out weakness in the opposition, to gain advantage and pole position
then decides if to bat or if to bowl

It’s the batsman who selects the gears, as the captain guides and steers
with perfect timing on the clutch
first, second, third, then really club her, fourth and sixth to burn rubber
fifths hard to find, stuck in neutral..Out! Return to the hutch

The bowler fuels a powerful carburetor, by means of the accelerator
he can rev it up and make those pistons sing
a tricky obstinate hairpin, can be overcome with a little spin
then pedal on the metal, mindful of late tail end swing

The keeper is the pick of the lads, with protective gloves and heavy pads
he looks after handling and if need be apply the brake
with swift hand eye reaction, the car retains firm traction
as the chasing pack get left behind in her wake

Waiting by the pit with assorted kit, when the track gets wet, he will cover it
the groundsman prevents accidents, pooling water and soggy mires
while the car nips in for shelter and to keep the track a belter
it can refuel, ablute and change tyres

On the course two men in white or blue, to assist and help all through
they uphold the law and give the relevant sign
undue care and attention will incur their wrath, as will running down the path
if unheeded they will impose a caution, then off the road with a heavy fine

In order to pass the chequered flag, its clear each cog is required to prevent lag
so jump onboard but heed the words of Aristotle
‘the whole is greater than the sum of all parts’, then turn the key and as she starts
can you taste the bubbly from that big green bottle?

I was upset to hear that once again Dunmurry's ground has been vandalised by mindless yobs (28 July).
It is a great credit to those involved at Dunmurry CC that they refuse to lie down in the face of this wanton destruction.
The club deserves any help or support that the NCU or its members can offer. They show a great example to us all about the value of our game.

The comments re.the section one players I couldn't agree more with. Having said that Ivan's post re.producing home grown players should resonate with us all.
On a different note I watched two great games at Woodvale over the weekend. The weather was superb and the pitches were excellent. On both days the opposition had a drink or two afterwards along with the umpires. The general craic/banter was superb. Whisper it quietly but it was almost like the old days!!!

Ivan,good to hear your thoughts on section 1 players,always followed Robert Smiths performances with interest as he was in the same under 15 ncu team as J.Shannon and P. Stirling when I was their coach. I always thought he could be a major player in the premier league as he was excellent in all 3 disciplines. am guessing he,s 22 so still young enough if he wants to give it a real go, could he make the pl with Templepatrick in a few years time ?

Jeff
I may be biased but Neil Gill must be the stand out player in Section One just now. He constantly gets early wickets , he now bats like a batsman and he would get in any XI as a fielder. I was just talking to John McCormick today and mentioned Craig got 150 yesterday and he said " magnificent player " . I haven't seen Bunting or Magowan this season but I think it's accepted they could play in the Premier League I know nothing about Joel but no one will be surprised on seeing Davy Munn rated as one of the top players in Section One. . From the games I have seen the player that impressed me the most was Robert Smith of Templepatrick . He bowled ten superb overs of left arm spin against us in which I don't remember a bad ball , is a very athletic fielder and was winning the match on his own with the bat when Brian Baguley with a moment of magic ran him out for 34. Playing for the Knights is a big step up from the Premier League but Neil has already played for Ireland ' A ' and I don't think he would look out of place and I think Smith has the attributes to play at a very high level. I think the others might need to prove themselves in the Premier League for a season or two first. Another player who caught my eye was Jordan Lyttle who at 16 is a useful looking quick bowler for Laurelvale.
Following on from my earlier post about " Union bragging rights " it has been pointed out that if players like Haire , Kidd , Wylie and Eakin were available the make up of the Knights team might be different although that wasn't the point of my post. I was simply saying that this week's three day game isn't an indication of which Union is in the best shape in terms of player development based on the two teams that take the field.

jeff interesting to see your picks from section 1. Gill I agree with. He has consistently hit runs and taken wickets this season. Lewis no doubt in mine as well. Not so sure about Munn, I suggest Magowan Downpatrick. As for Joel I don't think so. I'd have Neill of Muckamore. Constantly taking wickets and has ocassionally chipped in with some runs.

The Irish Under 19's v Ulster Grasshoppers at Pollock Park, Lurgan has been called off tomorrow due to the pitch and outfield being flooded late this afternoon

ivan ill name my top 6 in section one who deff worth a second look at . craig lewis derriaghy/neill gill muckamore/ davy munn/cliftonville/steven bunting woodvale/ james magowan Downpatrick and joel Maguire dundrum anyone else think any section one players could compete in the inter pros ? just because clubmen don't leave there beloved clubs doesn't mean there not PREMIER PLAYERS!

The 3 day game at Osborne Park this week may be used by some to say which Union in the North is in the rudest health, however should the NCU come out on top it will be a particularly hollow claim. Dougherty and Eaglestone where enticed by offers of work to play here while Larkin and Cameron - Dow were good overseas recruits by North Down and similarly Waller and Ervine by Lisburn. So are we going to celebrate the recruitment qualities of our clubs or the entrepreneurship of some of those within NCU cricket if we win or are we going to claim that our game is in a better state with better coaching and player development plans. I have no problem with the six guys being selected as it helps the Irish selectors identify the one or two qualified players who may be capable of stepping up having performed against quality opposition .
What I think can be very misleading is us claiming that we are producing players of a senior standard and that's what should focus the mind of the coaching personnel around the country. While I think it's a good thing to have inter pro cricket to bridge the club to country gap I think it is a long time before we will build a team of the required standard that local cricket followers can identify with.

Jonny,
While I agree that it is strange that volunteer umpires have yet to be contacted to stand when first elevens games have had no umpires on a number of occasions (especially those clubs that have qualified umpires and had members attend the volunteer umpire sessions at Shaws Bridge), but while I was speaking to a member of Ards (that you may know)that attended the session in Belfast and he would have been available, the Victoria member that attended was otherwise occupied yesterday.

No umpires today for Ards v Victoria.

Individuals from both clubs offered at the start of the season to be volunteer umpires - but have not been contacted and would have been available to stand today allowing a redistribution of other umpires to cover all fixtures.

No umpires either for Dunmurry v Donaghadee, yet I believe Donaghadee have supplied several umpires in recent years.

Whatever happened to giving priority to clubs who have supplied volunteers as per NCU statement pre season?? (see link)

http://www.northerncricketunion.org/database/2013/news/articles_2013_older/article246.shtml

Can't quite understand this?

It was a real pleasure to see Jonny Kennedy at Stormont last night. He looks good & best wishes to him for the next "hurdle".

Davy,
I don't get to attend many AGMs but last year I felt it lacked genuine debate and discussion across a host of topics. It was almost as if everything was going along OK and everyone was in agreement. The Forum sometimes indicates otherwise but where do the protagonists go when it comes to AGMs? That's where decisions are made and where everyone's views should be aired in meaningful and constructive debate. Obviously a decision has to be taken but at least it is democratic if all viewpoints are aired.

Clarence, the key word in your comment is "most" issues.
At last years AGM two clubs were against the forced reduction of overs in section three, the two clubs that this year are playing in section three.
There may have been other section 3 clubs represented, but none that I recognized and have been playing around these clubs for about 20 years now.