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Is Vic there? Stop slaging off footballers Vic,i remember a time............!

Jeff, I think that was suggested in a previous email and it sounds like a good idea. If you go to the AGM your club could propose it as an amendment to the union proposal for 8 team leagues throughout.It would have support.

Vic, Glenavon being 2nd in the league definitely wont last. Being a Distillery fan for my sins, I was at Mourneview on Saturday and we totally out-played them. Although have to say they do have the best ground in the Irish League by far!!

We at Muckamore are much like yourself, we took 2 weeks off at the end of the season and we are now back training twice a week. Tuesdays in the Grammer School doing fitness and nets then Saturday at the club on the tennis courts bowling, batting and fielding. Have to say the tennis courts are superb for a net, good true bounce.

Looking forward to N.C.U dinner, Jeff are you going?

Jeff & Andy:
Good to see you fella's again, thought the shop had closed down altogether!
I agree there Jeff,maybe the Premier league should reduce a bit themselves and leave the lower leagues as they are.

There is a big debate on the other channel as to why Ireland are not ready for Test Cricket just yet, the question I raised was a lack of another one, or even two really quick bowlers to assist 'Big Boyd'.
My question is:
Why does the N.C.U. or even the North West with the exception of Boyd, not produce more 90mph+ men?
And what has soft wickets got to do with it?

Quick Question was bluffing in work and went to the ncu website and noticed that BISC have been withdrawn which shows Portadown as bottom and Donacloney as second bottom so with BISC being withdrawn does this mean that both donacloney and portadown are relegated??? no local derbys this year??? maybe someone could clean this up ???

Would it be better prospect too have just the PREMIER league with only 8 teams ? As with four teams down section 1 this year an possibly only 1 up 1 down after it will surely only suit the big clubs? Looks like our club will be voting for no change after all as the players want the best chance too play & stay in the highest section possible .

just back on the air after Flossie blew up the machine looking for thermal vests on EBay. To pick up on a point that Neil Hunter raised about the balls used. When Michael was playing in the Thames Valley league a couple of years ago the balls were supplied to the clubs at the fixture meetings by the ruling body - interesting opportunity for sponsorship here. The home side was responsible for supplying both balls for the game. There was also an interesting rule that the side bowling 2nd had the option of using the ball used in the 1st innings until they decided that they wanted to take the "new" ball. Having said that, their rule book was the size of an old Belfast Street Directory - and look at the problems we have with the one we have!

Is there anyone out there?
The forum's gone quiet,the cricket season must have finished or something!
It must be football time again,when half of our cricket club will be roaring and shouting after Glenavon F.C.
Second in the League... fear not lads,it won't last!!

Just back from the Park hav'en gotten through 10 hard and fast overs, bowling at the single stump. I was even getting a little reverse swing going,what a pity its almost seven months to go before we start again!
The weather is fine and the ground is probably more firm now,than it was in July and August. Why can't the season be extended through to the end of October, then we would all get plenty more cricket.

Oh, I know why! Football and more Football and Glenavon. Is it football they play??? I would'nt know ! ! !

few tips . TAAJUB 215 ASCOT . GONEBEYONDRECALL FAIRYHOUSE 510. AZIZI 440 ASCOT , PS WELL DUN ALL WHO TURNED UP TOO PUT THE CONCRETE WICKET IN AT THE MEADOW .

Clarence as always an interesting point of view. Even in this "foreign " climate you find yourself in. The only reasoned response from a top club on here is that of CSNI ( Peter McMorran ). There must be one or more of the top flight clubs who are in favour of " reducing the number of league games played to improve cricket in the NCU." I for one and I'm sure there are others would like to see the reasoning why such a motion should be supported.
The arguement about the make up of teams and the relevant strength of the individuals in the teams must go back to when cricket began.
There is also a valid reasoning that the more players who play against the better players the more better players we will end up with.
Heard an interesting chat on the radio by Ian Chappel the other day when he was advocating 5 bowlers bowling a MINIMUM of 5 overs and a MAXIMUM of 15. Now that could improve cricket. Our batters would have to bat for longer against the better bowlers, no longer able to see them off and our bowlers would strive to be the ones that bowl 15.

Re - 8 or 10 teams and cricket in general

First thing I would do is sort out the rearrangement issue.

If you want to improve the standard by going for 8 teams, then 10 or 20 over rearranged matches should notbe allowed.
Only 50 overs should be allowed.

I am a great believer that if a ground is not fit for 50 overs, then it is not fit for any cricket. So dont make a mockery of a game by reducing the overs.

Also I would insist that every team uses the same ball. Then no one has an advantage with using different balls.
(I know of one senior side who buys balls at £50 a touch)

If 8 team leagues are the way forward, then forget about the fringe competitions and play the League, Senior Cup and Irish Cup.

So being a bit radical, I would look at something that is totally different for cricket in Ireland.

I would still keep the separate union leagues and their respective senior cups but I would suggest something like this.

With an 8 team NCU league dont play home and away but just play each team once i.e 7 games, or in the case of a 10 team league play 9 games. Keep the senior cup as is and play the Irish Cup in groups of say 8 with 4 leagues, again playing each team once with the winners of each league going to a knock out competition.

This is just an idea for debate but if you played the union league first, then the Irish Cup followed by the senior cup it would mean that as minimum you would play 7 NCU league games (of if 10 team leagues 9 games) followed by 7 ISC games and as a minimum 1 senior cup game.

I would play the knockout games for the Irish Cup on a Sunday and this would mean there would be no disruption to the senior cup.

Would something like this help with improving the standard and generate more interest? Answers on a postcard please!!

Good debate on the size of the leagues but it all seems to revolve around the number of matches teams are expected to play. Obviously this is different for the top teams who are in the ISC so has any consideration been given to a top tier of eight teams and the other leagues of ten teams? I also feel the debate should embrace the quality of teams in the top tier and ask the question, have we really got ten top teams or have we got ten clubs filling ten spaces. Indeed within those teams has every premier club got eleven players that are genuine premier players? I think not, and that may be a better reason for less teams. However, I'm sure that opens up another debate on elitism but in reality it's already there. Outside the top four clubs, it's a dogfight for survival but at least every match is competitive.

Alexa,
Your winters in So'ton are probably warmer than our summers up here!

Re: 8 Teams and Ivan

Well said Ivan, Just had to make a comment to agree...
The simple fact is, How will playing less cricket be good for the game locally...?

Anyone below the Premier league must realise that this will not be in their clubs interests and therefore not in local crickets interests...!

We must deal with the facts and not run the risk of turmoil by change for change sake...

I have played senior cricket for over 20 years and really there is nothing new here, its simple, the weather stinks...!
Realistically we get about three good months each summer.
When I first started, we had the league, the senior cup and the all Ireland...there was always plenty of time to fulfil these fixtures and generally speaking I can only remember a few occasions when we had to play at the end of September.

Over the last few seasons there simply have been too many competitions added.
People with a bit of sense,(Representing all clubs at all levels) need to sit down and decide what competions are our priorities.

eg. If T20 is the way forward as everyone seems to think, then make it a priority at another competitions expense...

8 Team leagues will simply facilitate Senior Clubs to play in meaningless competitions at the expense of the lower leagues, please please realise that everyone...!

Also, remember just because someone with a bit of local cricketing pedigree makes a suggestion, don't just agree without question...Don't be Railroaded by "local ledgends" or respected senior players, trying to feather, either thier own, or clubs nests...!

All Clubs share common ground and interests, but ask yourself, if what's good for Say North Down, is it good for the bottom club in section 4...?
I doubt it.

Leave the Leagues alone, cut out the meaningless Crap and Pray for good Weather next year...!

Failing that, I suggest we move lock stock and barrel to the West Indies, I'm sure Clarence could set-up an Ulster league there...

Godd luck all next season, in what ever form

Vic Jons, sounds like you had a great night out with your club. It's good to read about team support etc... I read you bowl during the winter months in your local park, I too like to do this in my spare time, it's a shame I live in Southampton.