Forum

Andy kennedy cost ballymena the match against lauravle by not giving what was a clear nick to the keeper out.

James, i completely get where you're coming from in relation to the selection of Morgan Topping as he has not played very much for Waringstown this year and if so, has not performed to the best of his ability which i think we all know he as.

As a player in section one who was at the game on Sunday, i cannot see any of those players playing in the knights that you highlighted. The standard is on a completely different Level and none of them would be capable to hold their own. Curtis probably has the best chance but when your bowling to Ed Joyce iam sure Curtis would have went for a few runs as well, like the other bowlers

Playing Morgan i tend to agree with as Jonty see's him as a player that will be playing for the knights in the future and throwing him in on Sunday due to an injury will only help in his development. Yes he went for a few runs, but who didnt? Morgan wasn't originally selected and a phone call on Sat Night/ Sunday Morning to ask if he could play, i don't think he could really turn it down.

I think its a game if we're honest that the NCU were not favourites for with the list of Internationals in the Leinster team, therefore playing Morgan will be a big stepping stone in his development.

The "controversial articles" penned by Bushe just seem to push whatever agenda he has that particular week, seen him blasting a fellow journo on social media for having the audacity to quote factual stats regarding Waringstown's recent struggles in 50 over games.... more faces than the Albert Clock!

Heard yesterday that Moorhead was unavailable. Not sure if he was contacted though

Topping was called up at 9 o'clock last night for Lee Nelson who was injured. Obviously replacing a spinner with a spinner. Morgan have been around the Knights sqaud over the winter without officially being in it, Simon Johnson has seen what he is capable of, I personally think it's a great opportunity for Morgan to test himself against what a team that contained 9 full internationals and having been there in person he did himself no disservice. I would go out on a limb and say Morgan would bat in the top 6 and would bowl 10 overs for any other club in the country.

However I do understand he is not playing consistent first XI cricket which does make his selection into the side very difficult. Another spinner was obviously needed in the team as John Matchett was left out. Curtis Moorhead is an impressive young spinner and has performed well recently although maybe he was contacted before Morgan and was unavailable? Hard to piece together a full story without all the facts.

Re James Hastings

What I'm saying is Morgan topping needs to do a lot more than perform in Junior 1 to earn a call up. He hasn't taken two wickets yet in a PL game and went round the park today. What about Zach Rushe? Is he not about 25/26? Even Curtis Moorhead took 25+ wkts last year bowling with 40 yard straight boundaries in every home game. how can topping have earned a go already? Apart from bias being the main reason.

Just found it bizarre. Dont think I'll be alone in scratching my head over this selection.

Re james

Why not play morgan topping a young cricketer who will gain great experience playing against better players. Who do you think the knights should select as a spinner?
Marty moreland or ryan eagleson,time to blood an exciting young talent like topping.
Look to the future.

Morgan Topping being selected for the Northern Knights is the biggest selection farce in the short history of the new Interpros. His best bowling figures this season are 1-27, and his highest score is 9. No doubting that he is a player for the future, but he has not earned the right to wear the Knights badge.

Simon Johnston said "Players will be selected on merit". What is the merit for this selection? He's not in the top 10 spinners in the NCU, or in the top 100 batsmen. Baffling. There are probably 70 premier league players more deserving of a call up than Morgan Topping.

You won't pick someone outside of the premier league but you will pick someone who's only proven at junior 1 level?Seems like in the New Knights regime the bias has simply switched from shaws bridge to the Lawn. Glad to see the general premier league bias being kept though. You could pick a section 1/2 under 23 team that would hammer that Emerging U-23 team. Which is another premier league biased farce.

Ross Adair
Patrick Park
Kyle Walsh
Mark Best
Ross Bryans
Jordan Fettis
Curtis Moorhead
Reece Malone
Matthew McCord
Chris Burns
Thomas Magowan
Jordan Wade
Ryan Smyth
Aaron Johnston

All these guys have scored substantial runs/wickets so far this season, and for a few seasons now.... And all more proven in senior cricket than Morgan Topping. Or does only premier league/Junior 1 count? I see the lightning and Warriors have no problem selecting division 2 players.

This is a topic that needs discussed on social media. Time for a controversial Ally Bushe article?

Nice change that a weekend has passed with some good scores and without much controversy over internationals getting hundreds etc.

Obviously Stirlo's 9 mates and Matty McCord can still win without him.

Here's to better times ahead !!

Re Ivans post on the cones: Fozzy seemed fairly upset by his dismissal in the cones incident, i wasn't there and am just being a bit nosey. If the cones were not the boundary then why were they there in the first place?

Colin I think the Internet just reflects real life . Some people are strong enough to come talk to you about an issue face to face and many are weak and talk behind your back.

Either way the information is useful and we can all learn from even apparent negative comments .

I always look for the good in a situation or at least how I can turn a negative situation into a positive note.

When someone I respect and like as in Michael Foster takes the time to pen a post like he has it would be daft to ignore it.

From that post I will now make sure we have no cones along that boundary . For ever and a day the fence has been the boundary as the ground is tiny enough without reducing it further but it's understandable that cones cause confusion .

It's the same with length of matches , starting times etc etc it's good to hear views expressed either face to face or behind backs . That way you can guage feelings .

On that topic in recent weeks I've had players approach me both young and mature saying " ask their captain can we play more overs ". I think people are starting to realise that the 20 / 25 over options restrict involvement .

How about a sub forum for those without a full name. Then those on the main forum will at least know who we are slagging/being slagged by and can ignore the rest?

Not really sure if this whole internet business is working out the way it was intended to be honest.

James
Well 55 people - be they captains or supporters -watching a cricket match is better than one man and a dog so that's good news! And just like you and me they're entitled to their opinion.
But why restrict your vitriol to just one club when (in your own words) and -based on your own criteria - you could be "making negative comments" about potentially dozens of clubs?
I hope that you don't by the way and that you can find it in you to adopt a more constructive approach.
Best wishes
Nile

Hi Jim from Belfast - please also consider the following -
1. Last time I looked muckamore had brought in at least 4-5 players through their pay to play system. Now I don't know the development pathway of all the players in the NCU Premier League but it seems to me that this compares favourably with their competitor clubs . Some Belfast teams (you're from Antrim Nile?) in recent years have consisted mainly of players recruited from other clubs there must be a different rule if you are from Antrim or do you forget offering money to players in section 1. I don't have any issues with that but your post cannot be considered balanced as you've chosen to overlook that;

2. How on earth can you have 55 ex-captains watching! surely you don't know the meaning of sarcasm. Even if you took the 6 muckamore teams and each captain retired once a year that would take only 10 years!!!!! I think what he is referring to is the muckamore supporters who voice their unequivocal knowledge from the sidelines each game.

3. I have an idea how many coaches are at Muckamore and its only 24 sorry Jim just a slight over-estimate.

Maybe you were being facetious or sarcastic rather than just inaccurate? An anonymous wind-up merchant. If so I don't see how you anyone could take your post as a serious contribution. It would be absurd to ever make any sort of negative comments regarding the 'GREAT MUCKAMORE'

Hi Jim from Belfast - please consider the following:-

1. The last time I looked the Muckamore club fielded at least 7-8 who developed through their youth system. Now I don't know the development pathway of all the players in the NCU Premier League but it seems to me that this compares favourably with their competitor clubs. Some Belfast teams (you're from Belfast Jim?) in recent years have consisted mainly of players recruited from other clubs. I don't have any issues with that but your post cannot be considered balanced as you've chosen to overlook that;

2. And how on earth could you have 55 ex-captains watching from the boundary? Even if you had one new captain every year that would take you to 1962 but with most serving several years then you need to find people from before WWII!;

3. I have no idea how many coaches there are at the Muckamore club but 35 seems may be an over-estimate. It would be great if there were though as we as an NCU community should be trying to develop the next international NCU players after Paul and Gary rather than sniping at each other. Don't you agree Jim?

Maybe you were being facetious or sarcastic rather than just inaccurate? An anonymous wind-up merchant. If so I don't see how you anyone could take your post as a serious contribution.