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I noticed a reference to the Muckamore youth policy following Wayne Horwood's decision to rejoin us. I think Wayne probably has the best 5 years of his career as a batsman ahead of him but would also point out that last season in a lot of games we fielded four teenagers. Jason Vde Merwe has been a regular for a couple of seasons and has just been named in the Ireland Under 18 squad while Craig Drummond has just turned 17 and he took 20 1stXI wickets last season opening the bowling with Neil Gill ( a 23 year old veteran ). Jordan Mairs is in my opinion the best teenage keeper in Ulster cricket and when he deputised for Brian Dunlop last season didn't look out of place and we have high hopes for Sunson Stephenson, Gary Nicholl, Nial McCulloch and Suprith Jayprakash. Our under 17's were unbeaten last season knocking Bangor, Lisburn and Instonians out of the under 17 cup.By 8 wickets, 7 wickets and 8 wickets.
With our seconds promoted to League 2.1 for this season these young players will get a chance to develop against better players.
Simon Thompson who has missed the last two seasons through injury has got the all clear and has been back at nets.
We are also pleased to announce that today we got a committment from Brian Baguley to play in 2010 and 2011. Brian will help develop our young batsmen and is a proven performer in NCU cricket averaging over 50 through his Muckamore career. The two year break has recharged his enthusiasm again.We also heard this week that Kamy has been warming up for the new season with a couple of centuries and a few fifties in India.
We have had over 20 at nets throughout the winter every Tuesday night at Antrim Grammar and it has been great to see club stalwart John McCormick in his tracksuit coaching and encouraging the young players.It was also a great boost for our young players when Gary Kidd ( a mate of Gilly's ) turned up for a net before heading off to play for Ireland.
With that other club stalwart Andy Clement now heading up our cricket committee we can see a bright future at Moylena.
It looks like Holywood will be the team to beat in 2010 although the Premier League experience of Bangor and Woodvale will probably see them as favourites and if Derriaghy can replace Alphie with a player of equal ability they can't be discarded.
Anyone know what the summer is to be like? Are we to get a "barbecue" summer like last year?
It now seems that holywood may be at the other end of the table with Shannon still playing, Maxwell fit again and most importantly sharkey staying another yeat. Always a good bowling side, with runs often the problem. Xpensive south african pro scoring runs and they could be strong. I think they have 2 good young players too - Adair & Best to score runs. Added to a New signing who bats. Dont be surprised if they push at the top. I think the skipper mccormick has a chance. This could be there year?
re-Michael Shannon
sorry for my poor spelling...!
Don't be getting at me, i'm on your side.
I am simply a spectator who watches at seapark the odd time. No affilliation as such. Was speaking to one of your team mates last night and we discussed the new season.
I believe you have a Pro on his way from SA as well...?
And yes, glad the umpires will be able to fill your cot up with toys for another season...!
Ho(l)ywood may well go very close this year...!
Ref P.Edwards and Frank Love
Firstly P.Edwards - who are you ?We are Holywood with one l -Not much of a supporter if you can't spell our name properly !You have got some things right though - no imminent retirements (much to the disgust of the umpiring fraternity !)and Sharkey still here as well.Our youth policy is obviously doing as well as Saintfield and to a lesser extent Muckamores by the sound of things !
As for Frank Love and predictions we'll have to see but you might find both ourselves and Dundrum to be more competitive than you think !Do you have any affiliation with any club by the way ?
Re Bumper. 12 years?? This year will be 18 seasons. You first started stalking me in 1992 when you were at Cooke. what should we do for our 20th anniversary???
re-Frank Love
like the ed, have to ask why U are so "glad" hollywood and dundrum will go down. The name love clearly dosen't Extend to your nature.
who R you anyway...?
Incidentally there are no retirements or Sicknotes this year at hollywood.
Great news Also that Young sharkey is here for a least another season.
glad to hear holywood are favourites to go down. Without the unfit maxwell and shannon, and with carty retiring a lot will depend on mccormick. Dundrum and holywood to struggle
'glad' frank?
You are one of my favourite cricketers and during the last 12years I have been tossing them down at you when you played for Queen's, Woodvale, North and CSNI. During that time I have worn the sweater of North Down and Instonians. It is ironic that you will be playing for Muckamore in 2010 and guess what you have not escaped the Legend as I will be playing at Saintfield, Look forward to continuing the battle !!!
Regarding Clarence's article on Afridi, and the whole subject of "ball tampering", I have always wondered why there is such a fuss. Over the years, everything in cricket has been geared towards batsmen. Firstly, the introduction of limited overs per bowler, and then fielders' rings. Those, combined with the deadening/ flattening of wickets, mean that bowlers are now there to provide cannon fodder. If "tampering" with the ball allows bowlers to develop further skills, in my mind it makes it much more interesting to watch a proper contest. It may be an old fashioned idea, but I also believe that today's bowlers do not have the skills of old, and modern techniques are all negative - i.e. to try and bowl dot balls. I think one of the reasons is that young bowlers no longer have the opportunity to learn their trade - spin bowlers in particular need to bowl long spells in order to discover the art of attacking a batsman. There is a lot of truth in the saying that attack is the best form of defence, but it is a rare commodity nowadays.
So , why shouldn't we let bowlers pick the seam, rough up one side or whatever. I don't see why it should be called cheating - other than it's against current laws. Incidentally, it also amazes me that so few bowlers actually want to shine the ball these days, it's a vital part of the art when you know how to use it.
On a completely different tack, I'm just back from a holiday in the West Indes, and I didn't see anyone playing cricket anywhere, and only the older locals wanted to talk about it. We should be grateful to all those who devote their time to coaching and cajoling youngsters, and who have brought us so much success these last few years.
RE: CSNI
With Wayne Horwood away to Muckamore, Regan West injured, Nigel Jones with Ireland committments, and Gary Wilson with county commitments it could be a testing year for CSNZ. They are going to rely heavily on a good team spirit and their pro Noema-Barnett
Re Ivan
Good luck to Wayne for his move (back) to Moylena, a grand place to play cricket and a nice bunch of guys at the club.
Muckamore for promotion!
No problem Jason,storm in a tea-cup and all that!
Good to see your adding too and strengthening the team, will watch with interest as the season progresses!
Stevie 'Max', can't get any of our chaps or any other eejit to come down to the Park and bowl a few overs at me! So I can practise the batting as well.
Must be afraid off the neighbours talking or something? but I bet they can all still stand up at Mourneview Pk. and 'roar' after Glenavon F.C.alright,even when the cricket season has already started too!!!!
Vic
That was mr McCart give off to ya that nite lol i was just relayin the msg
weve got stuart kidd on board from waringstown at the minute so hoping to push forward now up the league and away from any relegation battles
what teams in section 2 have acquired the services of a professional this year?
