Forum

Ryan, for sure the unpredictable weather is a problem for outside cricket, but I would'nt let that put you off more local cricket matches between clubs and their surrounding neighbour-hoods and communities.

Such games can be organised around pre-fixed league matches and so what if on a particular evening its rained off, you can play them anytime April through to September and anyway; you are up against a much bigger nemises than the weather for indoor cricket during the closed season ?

Football !.. Will always take priority in this country, although fair play to you for trying to be intuitive and pro-active, but I just can't see indoor cricket taking off within these shores !!
As the only ones who would want to play indoor cricket then, are the people who have just been playin outdoor cricket for the past five months or so...... and would they really be up for more indoor cricket ?

Ivan
I tried to look into indoor leagues whilst under NICA employment. Finance was the main issue as is now for CI.
However clubs could work with the new Active Communities Coaches in clusters eg. Eugene in Ards / N Down to establish indoor leagues. I have attained rules and regs for a league that Im proposing for Belfast. These could be adopted countrywide and a finals event heald at Easter each season!

Indoor League

Antrim Forum has two five a side football pitches seperated by a curtain. Can you play in that space ? I just wonder could you get a slot every Sunday morning. What is the normal length of a game ? Is it 5 overs a side ? I remember playing in one of these competitions for Ballymena must have been the winters of 86 and 87. It was held in Shankhill Leisure Centre on Sunday afternnons. Great way to market the game with viewing gallery in most leisure centres overlooking the main hall.

My debut on the forum to give some quick thoughts on league restructuring, which seems to be the buzz topic of the last couple of years.

I think that there is an argument for extending the task force's idea (see http://www.northerncricketunion.org/database/2010/news/articles/article69.shtml) for junior cricket to all of the NCU's leagues. This proposal would enable, for example, Waringstown II the present leaders of 2.1, to be promoted to play in section 2 alongside Cooke Collegians, Larne etc.

Obviously this is one, rather large, change from the task force's proposal in that it links the 'junior' leagues to the senior leagues at the top. This is a concept that a lot of other cricket associations (Cambridgeshire for one) follow and it works well there. With the abolition of the 2nd XV league, Ulster rugby is also moving towards a similar structure.

I feel that it means that teams of similar quality will find their level much easier and that there will not be as big a gulf between leagues as there may have been before (particularly between sections 2 and 3). It also would sort the problem of the detioriation in quantity of fixtures in section 3 over the past few years and provide motivation for senior clubs to not neglect the results of their 2nd XIs. There should be something in it for most teams, talented younger players playing for a senior sides 2nd XI will gain a higher standard of cricket (look at how close most games between 2.1 and section 2 sides were in the Junior Cup) whereas existing senior 3 sides will find that it guarantees them more fixtures throughout the year.

This are just a few of my own thoughts (which are not necessarily reflective of my club’s stance) and would need ‘fleshed out’ but I was wondering what other clubs/individuals thought.

Ivan

Clubs should get together "in clusters" over the winter period to establish indoor cricket leagues.
These are highly successful throughout Europe and opens up an entirely different way to market our sport!!!
The weather remains our worst enemy still!

Vic's local tournament.

In the 70's and early 80's we had an extremely successful East Antrim Cricket League which was 20 overs a side mainly on a Thursday night and featured Muckamore, Ballymena, Carrick, Larne, Templepatrick, Cliftonville ( I think ) maybe Academy and a nomads team called Balyclare captained by Muckamore's John Millar. That league was highly competitive and had some rules about a limited number of 1sts etc. Roger Bell will probably have memories of this tournament and Jim Boyce had an involvement among others.
I was a teenager then and it was my first taste of grown up cricket and it was a great grounding in competitive cricket.
I for one would like to see that type of tournament played again during May and June.There must be scope for regional cricket throughout the NCU.

No problem Andy, I'll post something about the game later on after we play it.(weather & ed. permitting !)

We are finding these 'little duals' organised between local teams are proving to be a very constructive way of getting AND keeping more people especially younger players, involved with club cricket, just like we are doing for a second time between ourselves and Donacloney.

They may be just 'friendlies', but the fact that it's between neighbouring communities, adds real flavour and spice to these matches which are played with enthusiasm and no half measures of effort and passion.

The secret ingredient being ofcourse is; that alot of these same players, know eachother from outside cricket, ie school, college, socializing together even the work-place, so when facing their 'mates' on the cricket-field well... lets just say it can get very competitive indeed !

I for one would be very keen for a more permanent local tournament to be introduced, example being:

A round-robin mini series, between clubs from my area i.e. Victoria, D'cloney, Lurgan & Waringstown; with the winners recieving a trophy with some kind of financial reward added for incentive ofcourse + a M.O.M. or M.O.series award too.

But this must only be for players new to the game and those on the periphery at their clubs, not always guarenteed a Saturday game, with perhaps one or two more established players, involved and helping out.

Just something for the 'task-force to consider, if it hasn't already been suggested ! Or indeed other cricket-clubs that, like ourselves, have quite a high density of seperate clubs all playing within a smallish area !

Andy k
I think maybe Andy a rethink on the 20 over match 2 scenario is needed at Senior level. Particularly when you have a sunny day with blue skies and a full gme could be played.It just needs somebody to put that into words that cover the eventualities. However I think a result on the pitch no matter what the format is better than a no result.
I hope the clubs take the time to come to the Task Force Roadshows aimed at encouraging more people ( both adults and youths ) to play league cricket. There is a worrying trend of clubs being unable to field teams and it's important to at least try and address the reasons. The worst case has to be if nothing is done and the trend continues. By attending the roadshows it gives the Task Force a better chance of bringing proposals to the NCU AGM that reflect the views of those playing and promoting cricket below 1st XI.

has anyone any thoughts on the "value" of the "20 over match 2" scenario. I raise this following a chat with an "experienced" player on Sunday and while we agreed that "it got the game played" it did little for batsmen coming in down the order and having to have a dip to keep the score moving or bowlers, especially the quicker ones who take a couple of overs to get pace & rythym going.
Sorry Vic - but I must help Flossie with the "reddin' up" on Thursday evening!

Just a reminder.

The NCU Cricket Development Directorate recently established a Taskforce to consider the future of Junior Cricket. A report has been produced and the Directorate would like to hear the views of clubs on the Taskforce report.

The first meeting will be held this Tuesday 24th August 2010 at 7.30pm in the Clubhouse, Pollock Park, Lurgan. All clubs in the area are invited to attend.

Just wanna say what a fantastic game of cricket we had with Saintfield on Saturday.When Bumper strode to the wicket, i like most of our team thought we had the game in the bag but then again, this is Bumper we're talkin' about!!
Only a few weeks ago after we beat them in the t20 final he had the courtesy to pop his head in the changing room door to congratulate us on our victory.
In life,generally what goes round comes round so well done again on Saturday "Legend".

re Dan

Dont belive you as he hasnt been on the site or maybe his internet is down?

Dundrum v Laurelvale sun 5 th sept 1pm start.

Ah good to see the forum spark into life again... thought people had all gone on holiday or maybe I'd said something silly !

Any-hows good point Andy K. Mr. Trott certainly made heavy weather of his batting, the fear being he has potential to drive the 'average test-cricket viewer' into the arms of T20 cricket !

Speaking of which, a re-match is now scheduled for my own club (Victoria) against Donacloney this Thursday evening, for all the players at both clubs who aren't quite getting regular cricket every Saturday.
Andy I can't expect you to travel all the way back to 'the cloney's ' ground a second time, but if your passing you'll be very welcome indeed.

On a seperate note, did I hear that Lurgan 2nds were unable to field a side last Sat. against Holywood ?

Surely not ! The week before 14th Aug. Victoria C.C.(a stones throw away), historically fielded three teams all on the one Saturday, despite many members away holidaying and parading !! And next year we may enter a colts team to play in the N.C.U's midweek cup knock-cup competition in order to satisfy demand !

What's happening up there chaps at Pollock Pk ??
Is Victoria C.C. becoming the 'new' Lurgan C.C. Surely not ! (but not so sure really !!)

Saintfield v Cliftonville Saturday. Saintfield need 21 runs from 3 overs 9 men down and in comes Bumper Dale. A few quick singles then Bumper wacks 2 fours and a six to win the game. The legend lives on. Best comment of the day from the Turk "we'll never live this down". Having reinvented himself as a batsman Bumper intends to open against Bangor next week.