Forum

I see that the AGM is coming up...is there any further information in regards to the proposed league structure - Section 3 and the invitational league...seems know one is giving up any info on these topics

editor can you edit to say tickets cost 1£ please

PLEASE SUPPORT I have got 400 Dundrum Cricket Club raffle tickets

1st Slieve Donard stay for two including breakfast
2nd Richard Croft local painting
3rd Two superb local framed pictures of Dundrum
4th 30£ voucher for Ohares Newcastle

Any support welcome cheques made to Dundrum cc and posted to J Maguire 8 church avenue Dundrum bt33onb or if you message me 07730334479 you can get direct bank details . Dundrum cricket club have had real tough year but it makes the club work even harder to improve everything about the club and more exciting plans to get new double bay practice area and new covers and update the showers and kitchen improvements and JUNIOR tours to Dublin and Shropshire . The club will again run cricket coaching in at least 10 schools in both communities next year with finals day as they try to promote the great game of cricket .The club next year will be playing accross the square in the hope to provide longer boundaries .

End of season
I was interested to hear from Alfie and Mary Linehan about late season. Their Scotland holiday was delayed on 30 September because Downpatrick needed to win against Cregagh to avoid relegation. It was 40 years ago and I'm delighted to learn that they won the points before they were late for the Scotland boat that evening!
A lovely little piece of nostalgia and best wishes for Alfie and Mary to share.

The postponement of Saturday 24 September brought up the end of the season. However, at some time (long ago I assume), playing late was enjoyed by many players. Who can recall, friendly or otherwise, the latest date played in a season?

Drumaness CC are excited that the club will be returning to the NCU for competitive cricket for the 2017 Season.

The club does not want this to be for 1 or 2 seasons but instead a long term project to build a stable club for the people in the local area to enjoy for years to come.

Therefore we invite anyone who would like to get involved to get in touch whether in a playing or non playing capacity. Don't worry if you don't know how you can help - we will have roles for you to work on.

Also, if any businesses out there would like to support the club with sponsorship, we have different packages for all budgets.

Simply e-mail: drumanesscricketclub@hotmail.co.uk

Re David Edwards and matting - I recall playing on one at Kesh one Sunday against a side that evolved into North Fermanagh (Bob Kerr was playing that day). The next season they signed one of the 'rebel' tourists, West Indian player Everton Mattis and I wondered how he found the conditions. It certainly was 'interesting' that day we played. But it seems that everybody wants everything 'fast' these days. I see an advert for 'breakfast in a can' for people 'in a hurry'. The world's gone mad! It is interesting how the likes of Shane Warne on Sky or the 5Live commentators are 'spinning' the demerits of 50 over games against the T/20 format. All geared to sell on the 'Digger's' Networks! And the new competition next year will reinforce this attitude. Unfortunately the standards of our cricket will continue to decline - even further than in some of the games that I watched this season. Poor technique, poor shot selection, & lack of ability to 'dig in' and build an innings (the late Tom Greenwood would have called it application) and a couple of cases where guys asked 'to be taken off' after getting hit for a couple of 4s! I couldn't imagine the likes of Rex Gilliland, Simon Corlett, Harry Cook, Dessie Kane, et al asking to be taken off! How things change! But then again, they weren't bowling on the back pitch at, etc., etc.!

Re C Boomer

Perhaps Caleb we could gradually reduce to a one over aside competition before resorting to rounders (which would take longer than a one over game with a tea interval).

The Muckamore back pitch seems to be a bugbear with some people and it is not perfect and courtesy of its shape and topography would be difficult to make it so. I've played there a few times and it is my opinion that there have and indeed still are worse grounds. Does anyone have fond memories of the mat wicket laid on a concrete slab at Antrim Grammar?

Curtailing overs, artificial mats, no teas, people looking home early, dearie me what's next...A game of rounders?

Ed. - perhaps Mike will offer his services to Mr. Hunter and his Grounds Committee! His experience will be invaluable!. On a different tack, I'm not sure that too many bowlers will favour all-weather pitches. The 'natural' pitch offers the opportunity for cut, spin and movement in general.

Ivan -,that guy Mike certainly has a bee in his bonnet about Muckamore's 'back pitch' as he uses every sensible posting to vent his spleen! Did he get a bad tea or something that day as well because he seems obsessed about Harrigan's Hill! Dare I say that if he is playing on that pitch then he doesn't play at a particularly high level and must have experienced many other poor pitches!! But then he hides behind a 'nom de plume'. Perhaps he'll come on and give us the benefit of his opinion on all the pitches that he has played on?

Ivan,
£8000 is a heap of money to spend on a cricket square each year. That must include the cost of more than a few 'man hours and a bit of machine servicing and every consumable item as well??

I wonder what the average annual local club budget is for keeping grounds and preparing pitches?
What's the story clubs? Yes or No answers only.
Do you have a full time groundsman, or some dedicated volunteers?
Does your club have a budget for grounds and pitch prep?
Do you have a plan if a machine breaks down mid season?

Mike
It might be the batters batting in the back ground that are the problem rather than the pitch . Last two games have seen 850 runs scored on it . Very few people get bowled on it and in my very humble opinion the bounce on that pitch is as true as any other I have witnessed.
My fifty five year old brother scored 170 of those 850 runs so he hasn't found it difficult to bat on.
That said it is on our radar for this close season and it's simply a case of a pitch being used every day for years including over the winter. There has been inter club games there in October and February / March. Good old fashion wear and tear.

re Mike -
you clearly didn't play at Waringstown second pitch at Tanaghmore Gardens. The mat is like a rotten strip of carpet set on a rockery and an outfield with grass long enough to give cover to a tribe of pygmy warriors.
However this is a local council issue rather than the club's. Nevertheless, I am surprised the ncu permit matches to be played here.

Ivan mats should be the very very last resort to play on I think your wrong about improving players grass is always the priority for players and by the way your back ground wicket is the worst I've ever played on and the worst in the country.