Forum

Just seen the draws for the Challenge Cup and Junior Cup and there are a few interesting ties in there.

On the Junior Cup front I take it the Third Round should be L v M, N v O etc... instead of the way it is currently on the NCU homepage ( just means if clubs work it out now they won't be playing who they think if they reach that round ).

Potential in there for Academy v Waringstown 2s if both teams win their 1st two games. If that does happen it will be the 4th year in a row they will have faces each other.

home to North Down ...... thats a nice easy draw for us lol

am goin to have to ask around our club dont think the 2 clubs have ever played before???

Andy K, whilst I agree with some of what u say regarding the poor state of Aussie cricket at the minute, I think you are selling England short. As average as Australia are, they have been convincingly outplayed in all but one test, and I would suggest Perth was due to English complacency more than anything else. Personally I think only South Africa could be ranked above them, and recent series' have shown there is little difference.

In relation to the English south African enhancements, that's probably a bit harsh too. Only trott and your fave kp were brought up outside England, and the vast majority of the young players on the periphery of the side are all home-grown too. Anyway, the more south Africans they have, the less Irish boys they're going to poach off us!!

Jason

Millpark have been drawn at home to North Down in the second round of the Challenge Cup (You received a bye in the First Round)

Anyone kno when the challenge cup draw is released???

so Jim agrees with the less than gracious comments that his mate "Colly" made about Irish cricket being a waste of time? Clearly Mark Taylor had a different opinion a few years ago when he brought a full side, including McGrath & Warne to Eglinton. As for "Colly's" retirement from Test cricket I wonder did he jump before he was pushed. 5 innings with a total of 70 runs, a highest score of 42 against a relatively poor bowling attack and 1 wicket for 63! Certainly there was room for improvement. And I won't comment on his run scoring the year they won the Ashes & he was awarded the MBE. Using that criteria then the likes of Lexie Millar up in the NWCU must be in line for a knighthood! England are to be congratulated on retaining the Ashes but I'm sure that even the most ardent fan will agree that it is all relative. I'm sure there are many who like me have really been surprised at how far Australian cricket has sunk to the level of "ordinariness" as the present squad. I was listening to a debate during a rain break in a previous Test where Craig Blewitt was giving a few reasons for the decline such as, less cricket being played in schools, a more sedentary population, etc., factors that are common throughout the world. The main difference between England and the rest of the Test nations is that they have looked to South Africa, etc. to enhance their team. Not that this is a modern thing - it happened a few years ago with the importation of a certain Zimbabwean to Worcestershire. Perhaps the talented Irish will get a chance now that "Colly" has jumped ship.The big question was "would he go before Laurence McKeown of Northern Ireland Water?"!!

Nice to see Paul Collingwood end his test career with dignity and pride and the admiration of the English supporters. Ricky P, maybe you should take note sir. Even my aboriginal friends here agree! Maybe Andy K from Buckna will also give some praise to Colly for a change or does he still hold a grudge on Colly for something which Colly said that was actually true!?!

Watching AB De Villiers continue to star in South Africa's test team made me wonder who was the best overseas pro in Ulster cricket? AB must be up there?
Craig McMillian was maybe the best at the end of his career or possibly Lamba. Some great players to select from.

Anyone know when the Cup Draws are made!?

Fossie..well spotted on the Norwood thing. Interesting to see that the editor may well have been consuming slightly too much caribbean rum based on the amendment to Worwood!

Thanks Michael.
Will correct. The world is not ready for that combination!
Best wishes to everyone at "The Park" in 2011. It promises to be a great year and I already have the dinner date in my diary!

I have to question the "vocabulary" award to North-West posters. Having worked in that area for "wile" I understand the lingo alright. I had indeed suggested at the time that the City of Derry airport should have been named the "Dead On Hi" airport!! I attracted some attention when I acted as official Muckamore interpreter at the Ulster Shield final at Ballymagorry where the Bond's Glen supporters were shocked that I was able to converse with them in their own patois, particularly in the area of paying players and also in getting that "aul' doll" to move her car at the entrance so we could get the bus out! The BG's captain even included a "moan" in his less than gracious post-match speech. I am soooo looking forward to see how they perform in 2011 following their promotion.
Also I know its a bit late but could I, on behalf of Flossie, Michael, Jonny, Joanne (yes, there is a daughter in our family!), their spouses and grandchildren Jack & Chloe, wish everyone involved in cricket a happy & prosperous 2011 and trust that it brings everything that everyone wishes?

Like the alternative New Year's Honours stuff, though not sure that the secret love child of Laurence Norwood or Wayne Horwood will be just as pleased :-). Good luck to the Ulster Cricketer for 2011 and congratulations on a fine 2010.

I would think it will be the usual suspects at the top of the premier league in 2011, hard to see past North Down, the strength in depth makes them that bit stronger than the challengers, although im sure Waringstown will push them close. I would think the Bangor, possibly Carrick and Ballymena will be fighting to avoid the drop but im sure a few other teams will be drawn in to this battle too.

What about Section 1 any predictions? Heasley will strengthen Lurgan for sure and fair play to them for taking steps to improve the club as a whole, I would hope we will be challenging also, and i think Saintfield might be a dark horse after a solid season in the league last year.

still think that it will be down to the usual 3 or 4 at the end of 2011 - North Down have the strength in depth and Waringstown likewise. Lisburn surprised a few pundits last season and should do so again. CSNI, when Jones & West weren't available were an "ordinary" side and the loss of Heasley to Lurgan hasn't helped CI's cause. Big spending Carrick always flatter to deceive and will again end up with the "also-rans". Brian Millar has a big task at Bangor even with the talented Nixons, etc. and Muckamore might be mid-table. Other committments meant that Instonians had a huge number of players turn out last year and lack of consistency may be the story again. Ballymena don't seem to be attracting new players to support the likes of D. Kennedy and I fancy them & Bangor for the drop. Will be interesting to see how the promoted teams fare in the higher Sections I & II. Its only the turn of the year and I'm looking forward to 2011 already.