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T/20 -v- 20 over matches. Andy Clement mentions this in his posting and I wonder if he is indeed referring to a 20/20 game or a 20 over match. Indeed this morning's Newsletter reported that North Down defeated CSNI in a T/20 game when it was in fact a Match 2 as defined in the NCU rules.

M Parks – a quick synopsis of some topics that were discussed:
8 team leagues from Division 2 Section 1 down, the implementation of straight through leagues up to Division 2 Section 1, the current rearrangement policy of postponed/abandoned games – perhaps to introduce one rearrangement only with this being a T20 game with it being played during the week only, a sliding scale of overs per game starting at perhaps 50 per side in Division 2 Section 1 and ending at perhaps 30 overs per side in what is now Division 3 Section 5 and starting lower league games earlier so that they are finished earlier.

Those are just a flavour of what was discussed – hope it helps the debate - i'll update again after our next meeting

Andy Clement

Re: Andy Clement

Would it be possible to let us know of any of the suggestions made at this meeting?

I would like to guage opinion on this and see if something could be changed. One sided matches aren't good for any team. From our perspective at Victoria, if we play our socks off in haf the games, we will porbably lose, meaning that we have to target 4-6 games a season that we know will be evenly balanced. Would it not be better that every week the outcome of the game is in the balance, depending on who performs on the day?

As you say, a club having to switch from a 12 game season to a 18 game season will always put a strain on playing resources.

I would like to add my support to the comments regarding the need to change the current Division 2 Section 3 structure.
The first issue is the spread of ability across the 13 teams leading to many one sided games. The second is that while there are maybe 2-3 teams that are too strong for the section they are often not strong enough for the section above either in playing ability or in playing resources.Having to move to an 18 game league season puts considerable pressure on the player resources of any club promoted from Section 3. My own club,Cregagh, had first hand experience of this in 2009.
It seems to me that there is a section missing in Division 2 and that this could be solved by evening out the numbers as suggested in other postings.

Andy Clemment,
Sorry Andy, I have got you confused with the other Andy (McCrea), it was youself who put up a robust and vigorous case as to the changes I mentioned in my last post at the previous A.G.M. and not A. McCrea, although sounds like he would agree as well, so maybe no harm done.

Apologies to you both !

As Director of Cricket Development within the NCU, it’s been very interesting to read the recent postings about the restructuring of leagues below the current first division. Readers of the forum may be interested to know that the first meeting of a “Junior Task Force” took place on the 8th July where representatives from 7 clubs discussed various topics relating to Junior Cricket including amongst others restructuring of leagues, start times, promotion & relegation and rearrangements. I’m delighted to say the meeting was both positive and productive and this group will be meeting again shortly to discuss other issues relating to “Junior” cricket such as Cup Competitions. Following on from the next meeting agreed recommendations will be drawn up and the Union will consult with all clubs on the recommendations made by the Task Force with a view to hopefully bringing them forward to the NCU AGM in October.

If anyone else has opinions on this subject, please feel free to contact me – I’d be delighted to receive any more views or suggestions anyone out there has.

Andy Clement

I agree M.Parks, a similiar motion was proposed at last years A.G.M. of the N.C.U. regarding a reduction off teams in the senior league, Andy McCrea himself put up a vociferous case, as to why it should be and the benefits to be had, but alas it wasn't to be !
So like you say, if it's tweaked and evened out for teams in Div. 2 for next season, maybe the reasoning for Andy's proposals he and others put forward for the higher leagues restructuring, will seem much clearer.... we'll see what enfolds !

Good to meet & chat too Graham from the Cooke 2nd string who we played against on Sat.past, doing alot of great work through the N.C.U. for young players and how to encourage them to take up the game and stay at it.
Hope your chat with Greg was helpful Graham and I was very pleased to hear you say you had heard of my 'work' and indeed read some of my books !

Dear Robin, Ryan, Andrew & the Haire Family- deepest sympathy on the passing of your Father Sammy. A truly wonderful man and the lifeblood for many years of North Down Cricket Club - always a smiling face for me at Comber whether i was a clubmate or in opposition...........great memories and never forgotten.

Andy... Perhaps something that could be addressed at the next NCU meeting, especially if other teams in the section feel the same. Although I have a feeling that it would prove too much hassle to the powers that be...

It is with great sadness that we have to inform everyone of the sad passing of Sammy Haire, father of Robin and grandfather of Ryan and Andrew. Sammy was an institution at North Down for over 30 years and he gave the club great service in many roles. Above all, he was a lovely man who had a friendly welcome for every visitor to the Green and even when his health declined he never failed to support the club.
Rest in peace Sammy.

Maths all wrong... there are 33 teams.

Could this work?
Sect 1: 10 teams
Sect 2: 8 teams
Sect 3: 8 teams
Sect 4: 7 teams

Re - M Parks from VCC

I totally agree

Possibly not of any interest to a lot of readers, but, does anyone think that a restructure of Division 2 would be beneficial. At the minute in D2 Sect 3, there is 13 teams, playing each other once a season. This leads to a huge spread in standard, with the top two or three teams miles ahead of the bottom 3 or 4 teams, reducing the number of competitive matches. With 23 teams in division 2, would it be too much hassle to change to 3 sections of 8, and one section of 7?

Editor - totally agree with your comments about Alastair Bushe and the Newsletter. I just have a thing about the BBC coverage - and as for UTV! No comment!!