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Back in the day such was my youthful exuberance and enthusiasm, that even during the festive season, off I'd go to the local park with stumps & ball in hand to practice! Then one particular clear and cool Christmas Eve' I had a surprise visitor..
A Cricketing Christmas Cracker !
As I roved out one 24th of December
in my possession, as I well remember
an old cricket ball to practice my bowling
much more engaging, than simply strolling!
Now bear in mind 'twas Christmas eve
just what occurred, you'll barely believe,
but listen intently, my earnest entreat
my story is true and bereft of deceit!
When in position and ready to go
I heard a gregarious laugh and a hearty, 'Hello '
then from out of the shadows, suddenly appeared
a gigantic man, sporting a fine, flowing white beard?
Slung over his shoulder, a most massive cloth sack
which he set on the ground, from off his broad back
and from within he withdrew, a new cricket bat
as nervously I pondered, what was he doing with that?
He spoke to me saying, "Please Sir if you would,
throw me that ball and I'll break in this wood,"
so I ran back and bowled at a very fast pace
at this impostor so alike, the late W.G. Grace?
And for all that I knew, he may of well been?
He was simply the best, I'd ever seen,
a talented fellow, dressed in red and white
who hit every ball with timing and dynamic might!
Then after our game and the bat well broke in
he said, " Well bowled but next time try spin!
Alas, now I must go, no longer to tarry,
thanks for the game and have a Christmas merry!
For tonight many chimneys, I will descend
as on me, little children, hope and depend!
So please take this new bat, a present for you
as well as these parcels, for your good family too!
And just before I leave, may I further say this
never lose faith, in the spirit of Christmas!
For a little imagination is good for the soul
and what's more, can turn dull brass into pure gold! "
He bade me farewell and with a whimsical wink
instantly disappeared, quicker than an eye blink,
so I set off for home and as it began to snow
far off in the distance, a voice boomed out... "Merry Christmas, Ho,ho, ho "
I can't believe that 'Mike' expects any club member to discuss policy on a forum. On a more important note - I hope that Mr. Torrens was resuscitated by the time he reach Portrush on Wednesday afternoon. Certainly he was sleeping the sleep of the just as the train left La Gare de Ballymena!
M moreland mike is my name and i watch cricket at all levels and enjoy it did you ask the players did they want to drop to junior 5 or did your club decide i guess the players are not happy but club politics decide
Good thinking Paul! But then again Muckamore aren't the only club to do this. While I have no involvement in the decision making at Moylena I would suggest that the majority of next season's team will be home-grown - unlike some where 'locals' are in the minority. Might even be able to 6 teams out to replace those that have folded!!
Anybody know when the Junior Cup draw is?
bit like Muckamore andy !
Re England Cricket Team
Andy I am not an England fan but I can see no difference there than with Ireland/South Africa/New Zealand / most of the Associate Nations & of course the NCU / LCU / NWCU as you have highlighted on many occasions.
It's the way of the sporting world and would be hypocritical of any of us, (including myself as my own club will seek assistance from an overseas player), to find the moral high ground on the topic as much as I dislike it.
Locally, I would love to see an accurate record of how many players are being paid at each club, I have always said I do not blame the players for taking the money but it's the egos behind "big clubs" that is doing the damage to our game.
Not a slight at any club more of a collective slight at all of us who pay people to do what most of us do for fun/leisure/getting out of the house.
Time for the England selectors to start trawling the world for players again?!
"Mike", you seem to have alot to say about my club. Why not put your proper name to all your posts instead of "mike", then people might take you serious pal!
how come north down 3rds are in junior 5 who made this decision and why
Ed...
I suspect the club stepped down to promote a youth team and rebuild. They were out of their depth after the current season and I hope they offer their best wishes.
Sad to see ncu junior league only have 8 leagues instead of 9 leagues last year.clubs are dying. Only few clubes are growing.may be only muckamore added an other team in the last few years.they added a midweek team and they field 5 teams in the leage games if i am currect.god,we have to find a way to attract more young kids to play cricket.
Ref Mike's post on 22.11
I played about half of our clubs first 11 games & four or five for our seconds, when playing for our seconds it could be against clubs thirds or fourths. Nothing untoward regarding the starring system, just an anomaly of the junior league's.
Cooke Collegians leaving Shaw's Bridge:
I'm reminded that Cooke Collegians were the 'original' tenants of Shaw's Bridge and sad that it seems the 'rugby' section of that club seems to have called a halt to funding a cricket section.
Mixed blessing for Instonians I guess. They will probably Hoover up a few more players and will be undisputed masters of that bottom pitch.
On the down side they will have to raise even more funds to cover the cricketing activities.
But I fear for the survival of Cooke Collegians in anything longer than the short term.
As indeed I fear for others in the same position of being the 'junior' partner in a multi or even dual sports club.
I think back to the short-lived NICC / Harlequins 'merger' where cricket came off second best.
There is no doubt that Ballymena is a rugby club which would happily see the demise of cricket on 'their' ground.
Other less than happy arrangements are out there where battles are fought annually about when 'grounds' become and cease to be available. How short the grass can be cut and how much of the rugby club's fertiliser drifts accidentally onto the cricket outfield.
There are battles to be fought let's hope there are champions of our game out there who have the stomach for the fight.
The response to Andy Ks recent post is totally uncalled for. Inspite of Andy explaining things Michael has still failed to grasp that he was referring to Cricket Ireland not CIYMS. What Andy said is all too true; the overall standard of cricket has declined and Cricket Ireland trawling the planet for players is simply papering over the alarming cracks.
After winning 16 from 18 last season and the fact they have continually boasted about their talented up and coming youth, I would now be interested to hear the views of the young lads who will be playing Junior One cricket next season. It is now the case that clubs see success in Premier League as more important than giving their youth a chance to play at the top level and allow them to develop even further which may be the making of them as a cricketer. I would draw attention to Derriaghy last season who may not have stayed up but their young squad will have gained valuable experience which will only benefit the club in years to come.
