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wayne
in 2006 north down lost 1 game in winning the league
got a surprise yesterday when i spied big ET of csni near stormont. players and supporters of north down look forward to giving him a fond farewell tomorrow.
Alan- thanks for clearing that up??? You didnt really answer the question. Anyway i am assuming that if a team is reported twice in a season for a slow over rate they are docked a point? Are CSNI the first team to be docked a point for such a reason? i can probably guarantee that they are not the only team to go over the allotted time this season.
But that aside this weekend should be one of the most exciting last weekends in years both at the top of section 1 and the bottom of section 2.
Vic. Jons,
Cannot agree more. Gus has done a good job this season with his predictions. Its not all about Section 1 and 2.
Maybe a bit premature to say this, but I've been lead to believe Saintfield 2nd Eleven have won Division 2 Section 3. Congratulations to the Barry, Ally and the boys over there but we hope to see them in a couple of years - hopefully in Section 2...
Good luck to all teams playing this weekend except those playing our first XI !! Guys please remember that cricket is a gentlemans game. No matter what happens, it should be remembered that we have to respect The spirit of the game.
Re Paul Doherty
Not an excuse but surely a valid reason why we only got ten games played (we played cup games on 3/4 days when we would have been playing league games)- I think if the fixtures had have been completed we would have been up at least in second place (we had the second best net rr)- but it wasn't and we aren't and I'm sure there are plenty of "what if's" for many clubs at this stage of the season! Hopefully we will come back stronger next year and go all the way- might be academic though given the proposed league reforms.
if cisn lost a point for slow over rate cant wait too see what lurgan get for not fielding team too play holywood?
There was a query re CSN men who represented North. From cup final team. Horwood, Wilson, Dyer, Black, Beverland, Andrews, Heaney. Non North Costain, West, Jones, Arthur and Goodall (12th man). Hope that helps.
Ref Sect 2 Coverage.
Would also commend Gus Logan as well as Gareth, Gus talks and predicts the possible outcomes of matches for the second teams who play in the 4 sections of the N.C.U.
Its well written and gives a little cudos to the teams playing at the lower levels. Look forward to hearing your predictions next season-Gus. Vic Victoria C.C.
Vanburn/Robin. Without fuelling any debate over this weekend/last weekend I did a quick look at the NCU archives. CSN have lost 1 game and ND 2 games. In the last 10 years all bar 1 season (Waringstown in 2006 1 loss) 2 defeats would have won the league (ND in 2002 lost 2 and had 1 no result) so whatever the outcome it is a good performance from both sides.
I do not think complacency can be raised given the stats.
1 thing that is very interesting as you look back at the stats and probably adds to the debate surrounding standard was in 98/99/00 the league was won with 4 and 5 losses. I remember back then all games being a lot more competitive and sides being more equal and the stats back this up I guess.
Wayne
Taito - from your posting it is clear you are not 'thoroughly familiar with the Rules and Bye-laws governing the competition in which the team is playing......' and as such are in breach of NCU Competition Rule 3. Just be thankful you aren't Captain and have all that reading up to do for the weekend!
I'll make it easy for you - in simple terms - It's the Captain's fault no matter what happens or whoever makes the cock-up. Having a match voided this weekend could be a costly affair to someone - beware! The NCU Thought Police are out and about.
Chris Busby
I think you are right that Section 3 was not a joke this year and it has indeed been competative with 4/5 teams are being in the mix. However, I dont think you can use your cup run as an excuse for not getting games played and therefore not winning the league. Academy managed to get 14 league games played on top of their cup run. At the moment they have played the most league games in Section 3 with 14!
re Jeff
Thanks, I enjoyed doing the preview this season but stopped doing it in August when Armagh was hosting a charity cancer game and the NCU wouldn't advertise it on their site because of the Twenty/20 at Stormont on the same day. I felt that if they couldn't promote a charity fixture then I couldn't spend my time trying to promote one of their leagues. Thats nothing against Ryan of course who I felt has done an excellent job trying to raise the priority of the NCU this year in his PRO job.
re vanburn
vanburn how much is ur mortgage remember the game is at comber not stormont.think the better team on the day won last sunday winning the toss was massive but to say we have become complacent or our attitude was wrong well we,ll see on saturday thanks for the extra incentive
Robin, are you serious? more NCU drama then? I wonder how CSNI have taken that decision? what is the ruling about slow play.
Makes this weekends game even more interesting
news flash
premier league cannot be shared as csni have had 1 point deducted for slow play thus if we win on saturday we go 1 point ahead and if csni win they win the league unless of course north down are deducted 1 point this weekend crazy isnt it.
predictions, gareth hope you keep doing your excellent column in ncu website as it has been excellent & very honest & believe me section 3 is full of good cricketers & clubs & believe me i could name lots players that only because they are CLUBMEN could play in section 1&2, so hope too see you on sunday & possibly buy you a beer for your top coverage off section two.