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Had my faith in local cricket restored today. Derriaghy and Woodvale players enjoying a few beers in the back room at Queensway together - and slaggjng the c##p out of each other -just like the old days Clarence

Pros- bizarre stats looking at the professionals of Derriaghy, Donacloney and Dundrum. How are these players approved for action at that level. We are told there is no such thing as a one man team but this trio come pretty close! What do these clubs really get out of it is what I ask?

CSN-v- The Hills.
During CSN innings a front foot no ball was called. Bowler then bowled "free hit" ball which batsman struck and ball went to boundary, striking the other stumps on the way. Umpire appeared to give a "dead ball" signal to the scorers. Sitting on boundary it was difficult to appreciate what happened. No runs appeared to be added to scoreboard total.

Any comments?

best wishes to Davy Menaul as he finally gets around to marriage on Thursday. I tried to talk sense to him at the weekend - showed him grey hair, bank statements, etc. - but he seems determined to go through with it!! Seriously though - all the very best from Flossie and I - a true sporting gentle giant.

Bumperdale / alan. It would be great if ncu or cricket ireland could organise a 20/20 or quickcricket in falls park.

My Dad played for Falls Road Methodist, home ground Falls Park. They won the Shields Memorial Cup in 1945 playing (can't recall) at Sirocco's ground.
It you have a couple of days I'm sure he could talk you through it!

Message for saintfield. I was in HSBC Donegal square south office last Thursday. They are clearing out and came across an inaugural 1984 club trophy. Contact me if you want this collected or collect yourselves.

Just to follow up on the BCL stuff. We have a number of players who used to plan in the leagues. Richard Walker, David Harris and Maurice Coates all played for Loopvale. If you want more info let me know and I can pass on telephone numbers. You can always catch Richard Walker at Cregagh on most nights.

Belfast Cricket League.
As a boy of 8 I learned to score and followed LOOPVALE. Every game I counted our players 10 men and I got a game.I recall a game on the mat at Ormeau Park when I had to bat 11 with the team needing 1 to win. 'Get forward, bat and pad together!' was my instruction. Difficult enough as the adult pads went as high as my belly button!
I followed instructions facing what to me as a kid was Freddie Trueman: the ball smashed into the pad and away for a leg bye. That was the first time I was called a hero on the cricket field.
I have a photo of the League xi v. Eglinton in July 1967- some players were
Ernie Mccormick, Richard Walker, Heaslip the others I have forgotten. I also played a cricket match at FALLS PARK against Hillview!! Happy days!

Instead of merging Section 2 and 3 and still having separate junior and senior leagues, why not merge the senior and junior leagues ? Isn't it that way in Leinster and the North-West ?

So you would have 1st XIs playing against 2nds in league play, not just junior cup. Open leagues from Premier league to Junior 8

Would take a bit of time to shake out the leagues based on playing strength.

Donaghcloney CC are hosting a 50 over match at the Factory Ground on Tuesday 9 July between an NCU U17 Select and The touring Pune Cricket Masters Academy starting at 12 noon. All welcome.

Ref ncu 2/3

Asolutely urgently required a look at ncu divisions 2/3.
Both leagues have to be amalgamated, playing each other once. Dave Rheiman shouldnt worry about the gap in leagues because the difference is basically one good player and at most 2.
The joining of the leagues should only help div 3 as the current system with teams pulling out seems to be a serious issue. 40 over cricket is a must as even in division 2 teams are averaging 40 overs per innings.

RE ANDY
Reference to not having ideas to promote clubs in need. Well here are a few.
1. Financial incentives from cricket administrators for teams struggling to find funding
2. Bigger teams making grounds available to smaller teams who may be struggling with ground issues
3. Loan system (aimed at teams struggling for numbers) where a upcoming younster playing 2nd, 3rd cricket could be loaned to a nearby club who are up the leagues for a seasons better experience. Happens in football and no issues
4. Giving clubs more scope to get games played. To me if weather doesnt permit and game wiped and void is wrong. If teams can agree down the line then play the game and enough of this void nonsence.
5. As Davy McDowell mentions get the coaches into the schools. I know some of the pro's go into the schools but get the administrators onside and promote this to benefit as many as possible.
People may read these and think drivel but forums are about ideas and opinions and a few of the above ideas could go a little way to helping teams out. As in any sport things will be geared towards helping the big guns but the simple fact is the big guns always have the scope to help themselves in almost any situation so lets start looking around to see where the game needs the help.

Davy I can only speak for my own club but rest assured that schools in the Lisburn area are well serviced by coaches going into them. Both at primary and secondary level.

Peter/Arthur

My father played for Willowfield in the BCL. Who, if he is to be believed played in Ormeau Park and used the Parkview Bar as their watering hole. I think he might have a club trophy or two in the loft. Will investigate further