Forum

Keith,
12 out of 19 with one result to follow. Mixed bag, but the NCU a big disappointment in the Irish Senior Cup. However, we might still have the winners?

My tips in for the Cup Comps on Sunday
Irish Senior Cup
Carrickfergus v Leinster. Leinster Win
CSNI v Balbriggan. Balbriggan win
Clontarf v The Hills. Clontarf win
Instonians v Phoenix. Instonians win
Merrion v CIYMS. Merrion win
North Down v Pembroke. Pembroke win
Strabane v Muckamore. Muckamore win
Waringstown v YMCA. Waringstown win
Irish National Cup
Ballyspallen v Railway Union. Railway Union win
Co Galway v Holywood. Holywood win
Co Kerry v DLR County (A). Co Kerry win
Glendermott v Knockharley. Knockharley win
Killyclooney v Drummond (A). Killyclooney win
Limerick v Cregagh. Limerick win
Rush v Lisburn. Rush win
Templepatrick v St Johnston. St Johnston win
NCU Saturday Premier Tips
Armagh v CIYMS. Away win
Carrickfergus v CSNI. Home win
Muckamore v Instonians. Away win
Waringstown v North Down. Home win
Thanks Ed for your kind E-Mails to me recently what does everyone think of the cup tips please lets have a competition between forumites

Ulster Schools' to play MCC
Following the Ulster Schools’ Trial held last Friday, the following team has been selected to play against the MCC at Campbell College, Belfast on Tuesday 19 June (11:30am).
Ben Rose (R.B.A.I.) (Captain)
Varun Chopra (Coleraine Grammar School)
Matthew Foster (Regent House School)
Matthew Hutchinson (Coleraine Grammar School)
Rhys Logue (Holy Cross College, Strabane)
Marc McCloskey (Foyle College)
Gregory McFaul (North West Regional College)
Kyle Magee (Foyle College)
James Metcalfe (R.B.A.I.) (Wicket Keeper)
Oliver Metcalfe (R.B.A.I.)
Marcus Poskitt (Coleraine Grammar School)
Jonathan Waite (R.B.A.I.)
Some established players have been excused from this match in order to enable the selectors to see a wider range of players, while others are unavailable because of examinations.
The team for the Schools’ Interprovincial against the Southern Schools at Osborne Park on Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 June will be selected after the match.

Forgot to send in the tips for the quarters all one sided affairs apart from the Holywood v Instonians was by reports a cracker.

Was following the Leinster Lightning beat the North West Warriors and now I have no figernails left. The Northern side thanks to Gary Wilson and Greg Thompson done the buisness but the bowling nearly let Munster back into it.

The Northern Knights are a good unit but play some strange shots to get themselves out looking at the 50 over contest on Leinster TV YouTube last Monday well ahead of the rate for all the innings but it needed one or two to stick around for a while and would have won.

Editor can you tell me where I could find scorecards from the Womens matches as I like following Womens cricket even if the National side is being thumped at the moment v New Zealand plus is the Sunday Life sold in the Republic anywhere as I hear that scorecards are printed from your region thanks

Interesting to read on the ‘other’ site about the problems that Holywood are having in getting the outfield cut. Surely Councils should be looking for ways to support local sports clubs instead of creating problems where none exist. If they already have the equipment and the staff, as an asset, then the only additional cost is the price of the fuel. Mr. McCormick (sen) highlighted these difficulties earlier in the season and the problem seems to be escalating. I remember Victoria had issues with the local council a few years ago and the resulting publicity forced a rethink. I suggest that everyone involved with Holywood should contact their local councillor and remind them that if they want a vote at the next election ‘then get it sorted’. That might concentrate their minds!!

Also congratulations to Jackie Neill on her award. The older guys will remember her as a long time Ballymena scorer and imbiber of fine wine. She is also the sister-in-law of our much respected(?!) umpiring colleague Alan. Just realised that Neville is going to dress formally the day of the investiture! Congratulations Mrs.!!

A well deserved honour for Mt. Templepatick but there is one glaring omission in Peter's posting and that is, as well as all the other tasks that Arthur has done, the important duty of preparing the tea!! Having known Arthur since back in the days of his friendship with the late Willie McAllister from Larne CC and knowing his commitment to cricket this is indeed something of which he can be rightly proud.

Just like to add my congratulations to Arthur Bowron on his richly deserved award, a genuine cricket enthusiast, clubman and gentleman, hope to see you soon Arthur when we travel to your place next month.

Re. Peter Sheppard

Great news. Thoroughly deserved award for Arthur. A real servant to Templepatrick and the NCU. One of the games true gentleman.

Congrats Arthur.

Templepatrick President to receive Royal honour for services to cricket
The long-serving president of Templepatrick Cricket Club has been named in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.
Mallusk man Arthur Bowron is to receive the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to cricket in Co Antrim.
Mr Bowron was a founding member of the club - now based in Ballyclare - in 1969.
Over the past five decades he has served the club as a player, committee member, groundsman and president - a post he's held for over 20 years.
He also carries out many other roles, freely volunteering his time to ensure adults and young people of all ages have the opportunity to play cricket.
The 73-year-old retired civil servant said he was shocked to receive a letter from the Cabinet Office informing him that he's to receive the BEM.
"I was extremely surprised, but delighted with the award," he said.
"I think this one of the nicest things that has ever happened to me.
"I do feel a bit guilty though as after all, cricket has been my interest and my hobby for many years."
Mr Bowron said he's looking forward to collecting his BEM later this year.
"I would just like to thank everyone involved in making the award possible. I just hope that I am worthy of the award," he added.
Congratulating Mr Bowron, TCC chairman John Busby said: “This royal honour is richly deserved.
"Arthur has been instrumental in the development and success of Templepatrick Cricket Club over the past five decades, as a founding member, committee member, groundsman, president and in the many other roles he fulfils, all as a volunteer.
"His efforts have been key to the growth of TCC into the thriving club it is today, offering sporting opportunities to so many people in the community through cricket.
"On behalf of everyone at the club I would like to thank him for all his hard work and dedication over so many years, and congratulate him on his BEM. No one is more deserving of this recognition.”

"Billy Dobbin" of the no identity, club or country, stop any emails to me with your garbage. We don't welcome pseudonyms or personal attacks so do it somewhere else. I have a name and identity, which I'm prepared to comment yet you hide under a cloak of anonymity. You are a fraud. Get lost!

Congratulations Gary Wilson on attaining the T20 captaincy for Ireland.
Well deserved!

Northern Knights away to Leinster Lightning
The Northern Cricket Union has announced the Northern Knights squads for the 2018 Hanley Energy Inter-Provincial 50 Over Series (IP50) fixture against Leinster Lightning, at The Hills Cricket Club, Milverton, Skerries, County Dublin, on Monday June 4th.
The Northern Knights will be captained by Shane Getkate, with Mark Adair returning to the squad.
June 4th (Monday): IP50 - v Leinster Lightning at The Hills Cricket Club - 10:45 am
• Shane Getkate (Captain)
• Mark Adair
• James Cameron Dow
• Marc Ellison
• Gary Kidd
• Graeme McCarter
• James McCollum
• Jacob Mulder
• Neil Rock (Wicket Keeper)
• James Shannon
• Nikolai Smith
• Harry Tector
All requests for interviews should be made through the Angela Platt, NCU General Manager (028 90 522664 / 07713512315) or Northern Knights Manager Andrew Rose (07967580122).

Schools Cup Final
Methodist College Belfast (MCB) will play in their first Ulster Bank Schools' Cup Final after defeating Belfast Royal Academy (BRA) by 17 runs. Methodist College scored 151 for the loss of eight wickets, with contributions from James Hunter (32), Adam Reid (30), and Matthew Humphreys (20). James Hunter took three BRA wickets, including the vital wicket of Max Burton (64), as Methody bowled BRA out for 134.
Holders RBAI travel to the North West, to play 2013 winners Limavady Grammar School, for the right to meet Methodist College in The Ulster Bank Schools’ Cup Final, which is to be played on the Friday 15th June at Moylena, home of Muckamore Cricket Club.

Ulster Bank Schools’ Cup Semi Final
The future stars of Ulster cricket are only one game away from the prestigious Ulster Bank Schools’ Cup Final. The semi final draw was made by Mr Trevor Robinson, Principal of Lurgan College.
Holders RBAI travel to the North West, to play 2013 winners Limavady Grammar School, and there is a Belfast derby between Methodist College and Belfast Royal Academy, winners in 2015 and 2016.
• Limavady Grammar School vs Royal Belfast Academical Institution (Monday 4th June, at Limavady, 1:30pm)
• Methodist College Belfast vs Belfast Royal Academy (Friday 1st June at Pirrie Park, Belfast, 4pm)
The Ulster Bank Schools’ Cup Final is to be played on the Friday 15th June at Moylena, home of Muckamore Cricket Club.