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NCU League Fixtures/Cup Draws/League Structures 2012
News #1
The latest list of the NCU's approved transfers between clubs for the 2012 season (update 31.01.2012)
Latest list of transfers approved to date by the Union for the 2012 season - open list (pdf)

Chris Harte (left), President of the NCU, and Ulster Bank executive, Stephen Cruise, at the draw for the first round of the Ulster Bank Schools CupKind Draw for Ulster Bank Schools Cup Holders
The draws for the Ulster Bank Schools Cup and Schools Under 15 Cup have been made.
The draw for the first round of the senior competition has been kind to last year’s winners (RBAI) and runners-up (Regent House).
Holders RBAI will be at home to Bangor Grammar School Seconds and Regent House also have home advantage over another second eleven, Limavady Grammar School Seconds.
Ulster Bank Schools Cup 2012 - Full Draw...
Ulster Bank Schools Under 15 Cup 2012 - Full Draw...

Woodvale Sixes 2012 - week 2 results and table
In the second week of the Woodvale Sixes competition, North Down and Nomads remain the only unbeaten teams while Muckamore recorded their first win of the competition.
Read more...

Club Development Funding Opportunity
A nationwide opportunity to receive funding towards the development of your club
The Club Development Funding initiative aims to support dedicated sports clubs across the UK from grass roots level all the way up to elite performance, to enable a more professional image for UK sports teams.
NOTE:Application Closing Date: 10th February 2012
Read more...

Belfast City Council Coaching Courses
Please find below details of some courses Belfast City Council are offering coaches in Jan/Feb 2012.
Junior Club Development £25/£15
30th Jan 6.30pm - Andersonstown Leisure Centre - Max 20
Safeguarding £25/£15 cmk
6th Feb 6.30pm - Shankill Leisure Centre - Max 24
For further info and bookings please contact Ryan Haire or Tel: 028 9032 0202 ext 3554

NIACUS Umpire Training Course
A NIACUS ECB ACO Level 1 umpires course will be held on the weekend of 3rd-5th February 2012 commencing at 7pm on the Friday and finishing on Sunday 5th February.
Training will be facilitated by NIACUS Training Officer, Keith Smith and Chairman of NIACUS, Alan Neill.
If any one is interested in attending please contact Keith Smith or Jonathan Lyttle as soon as possible.
Training will take place at Knockbracken Healthcare Park, Belfast.
NIACUS would encourage all NCU clubs to make a big effort to support this training.

At the recent Competitions Directorate meeting the draw was made for the preliminary round of the Challenge Cup and the first/second round draws of the other Senior cups.
The meeting also decided the composition of the Junior Leagues for 2012.

James Hall, Vice Captain of holders Waringstown, at the draw for next season's Ulster Bank NCU Challenge Cup. The draw was made by Ulster Bank Executive Stephen Cruise (left) and the new NCU President Chris Harte The draw for the 1st Round proper of the Ulster Bank Challenge Cup took place recently in Ulster Bank Headquarters, Donegall Square East, Belfast.
Holders Waringstown will be at home to Carrickfergus in next season’s first round of the Northern Cricket Union’s Ulster Bank Senior Challenge Cup.
It will be one of three ties which bring together premiership league clubs with North Down hosting Ballymena and Lisburn entertaining CIYMS.
Last year’s runners-up Civil Service North, who will travel to Derriaghy, and Instonians, who will be away to either Donaghcloney or Woodvale, are the only clubs from the new eight-strong Premier League drawn against opposition from a lower league.

Andy McCrea wins Outstanding Coach of the Year Award (image (c) Getty Images/ECB)Andy McCrea wins Outstanding Coach of the Year Award
Andy McCrea of Templepatrick CC has been announced by the ECB as one of the winners of the prestigious Sky Sports Coach Awards which are designed to recognise those who have made a significant contribution to the support and development of coaches and coaching in cricket.
Schoolteacher McCrea, from County Antrim, received The Outstanding Coaching Achievement award, for making a major contribution to talent development in the local area and helping achieve significant participation growth at his club, Templepatrick CC.
Read more...

Cricket Ireland announce appointment of Development Officers for NW and NCU regions
In another major boost for the local game, Cricket Ireland, in conjunction with support from Sport Northern Ireland, today announced the appointment of two development officers who will be working in the NCU and NW regions.
29 year old Irish international Nigel Jones will have responsibility for the NCU region.
The Civil Service North captain has played 25 times for Ireland, and has gained extensive playing and coaching experience in New Zealand, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Read more...

Ireland versus Australia ticket information
CRICKET IRELAND are delighted to announce a Christmas bonus for Irish fans - the first chance to secure tickets for next summers RSA Challenge one-day international against Australia on Saturday June 23 in Belfast.
While tickets for the Aussies much anticipated return to Belfast do not go on sale until next month, Christmas shoppers can buy seat vouchers that will make perfect stocking fillers for cricket fans.
The beauty of the Cricket Ireland scheme is that recipients of the vouchers are guaranteed a seat at the 50-over match in the grounds of Stormont Castle - no matter how fast tickets sell out in January.
Read more...

Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup 2012
Round One - Saturday 12th May
    Ballymena v Merrion
    Bonds Glen v CIYMS
    Brigade v Carrickfergus
    Clontarf v Cork Harlequins
    Coleraine v Lurgan
    Cork County v Derriaghy
    Creevedonnell v North County
    Glendermott v Railway Union
    Instonians v YMCA
    Leinster Qualifier 1 v Donemana
    Leinster Qualifier 2 v CSN
    Lisburn v Leinster
    North Down v Fox Lodge
    Terenure v Limavady
    The Hills v Bready
    Waringstown v Strabane

Irish National Cup 2012
Round One - Saturday 12th May
    Ardmore v Civil Service
    Bangor v Sion Mills
    Burndennett v Donaghcloney
    Cliftonville v Balbriggan
    County Clare v Ballaghadereen
    County Kerry v Carrick on Shannon
    Downpatrick v Drummond
    Dundrum v Leinster non qualifier 2
    Galway v Limerick Raiders
    Laois v Muckamore
    North Kildare v Holywood
    Oakhill v Eglinton
    Old Belvedere v Killyclooney
    St Johnston v Woodvale
    Sligo v Middleton CC
    The Nedd v Leinster non qualifier 1

ClubTurf Ulster Cup 2012
First Round - Saturday 2nd June
    Brigade v Carrickfergus
    CIYMS v Coleraine
    Donemana v Lisburn
    Fox Lodge CSNI
    Instonians v Glendermott
    North Down v Limavady
    Strabane v Derriaghy
    Waringstown v Bready

NCU Section 2 Averages 2011 (updated 15.11.2011 with Cooke Collegians averages)
Brian Kelso of Academy CC, with the help of most of the teams in Section 2, has compiled a set of batting, bowling and fielding averages for the 2011 season. The averages comprise performances in both NCU Ulster Bank League Section 2 and the Junior Cup.
Read more...

Northern Cricket Union AGM
Chris Harte (Bangor) was elected President with Billy Boyd (Lurgan) elected as Vice-President.
Brian Walsh (Instonians) is the new Chairman with Andy Clement (Muckamore) elected as Vice-Chairman.
The majority of the serials proposed were passed, some with amendments proposed from the floor.
The two to fail were Serials 12 (bringing forward the final date for matches in September) and Serial 16 (from Dundrum CC)
Read the full list of motions/amended motions passed/rejected
Updated 2011 Section 1 League Table
Updated 2011 Section 2 League Table

CRICKETERS BANK LEAGUE-CUP DOUBLE
Ulster Bank has put the icing on the Northern Cricket’s Union 125th birthday cake by announcing the renewal of a double sponsorship.
The Bank has agreed to extend the sponsorship of the Union’s Senior League which it has supported for the past 18 years, making it one of the longest relationships in local sport. And it’s again putting its name to the Senior Challenge Cup which it did for the first time during the past season.
The announcement was one of the highlights of the Union’s anniversary gala dinner in Belfast City Hall at which the special guest was former England Test captain, Michael Vaughan.
Almost 400 club members and officials heard the good news from Stephen Cruise, Ulster Bank Managing Director, Retail Banking, Private and Advice, Northern Ireland.
He said: "Ulster Bank and the NCU have enjoyed an excellent relationship down the years and in this special anniversary year I am delighted to announce the extension of our relationship. During our period of sponsorship, cricket has gone from strength to strength and all the signs are there that this will continue to be the case."
Read more...

Photos from the NCU 125th Anniversary Dinner (updated 18/10/2011)
A selection of photos from the NCU 125th Anniversary Dinner kindly supplied by Rowland White

Photos from the Lisburn 175th Anniversary Dinner
A selection of photos from Lisburn's 175th Anniversary Dinner kindly supplied by Matthew Browne of Matthew Browne Photography

?A HISTORY OF THE NCU CHALLENGE CUP 1887-2011?
by Clarence Hiles
This new book will go to print in October and will be available for sale at the end of the same month. In addition to being a collector?s item for local cricket enthusiasts it could be a popular Christmas present for anyone who has any connection with the ?Senior Cup? past or present?.
The book will be 552 pages in size and will cover every cup competition and details of every match. Each season has been chronicled from start to finish with abbreviated scorecards for each round and the complete cup final scorecard. Almost every year includes a cup-winning team photograph and in addition, some excellent material has been unearthed from tedious research in local newspapers.
Read more...

Interesting developments in the pipeline for the NCU for the 2012 season and beyond
Although the 2011 season is now done and dusted, the NCU’s work continues! Many meetings, both throughout the summer and in recent weeks have brought about some very interesting developments for the Union for season 2012 and beyond.
Firstly, the NCU Board have agreed, in principal, to support the introduction of an All Ireland Junior Cup. This new initiative was proposed at the Irish Cricket Committee meeting last Wednesday in Dublin, and the Unions have been asked for their opinions.
Read more...


Cricket Ireland - Coach Education Programme for October 2011- April 2012
Cricket Ireland is in a position once again to offer a thorough Winter Programme of Coach Education courses. Cricket Ireland is able to offer Coach Education courses throughout the country, using their own tutors to deliver all of the available courses.
The aim of these courses is to encourage clubs to develop coaching teams, and develop their existing coaches.
Read more...

Waringstown take Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup
Waringstown take Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup Waringstown won the Bob Kerr Irish Senior Cup final on Sunday at a rain soaked Comber.
In many ways the result was anticlimactic in that play was washed out after 29 overs of the villagers reply with 113 runs required in 21 overs to chase down Instonians 237 for 8; but good enough for a 21 run victory on Duckworth Lewis.
In the first all Northern Cricket Union final since 1991 Waringstown also became the first NCU winners since North Down in 1995. Waringstown captain and former Irish international Kyle McCallan pronounced it as his proudest day as a club cricketer having waited 10 years to appear on the ultimate stage since the 2001 final with Cliftonville; ironically that game being hosted at Waringstown's home ground The Lawn.
Read more...

ECB Sky Sports Award 2011
Cricket Ireland's Andy McCrea receives his ECB Sky Sports Coach Award from Sky Sports presenter and West Indies fast bowling legend Michael Holding The third England – India test match at Edgbaston saw the presentation of the ECB Sky Sports Coach Awards 2011. The awards are a way of saying thank you to people who have made a significant contribution to the support and development of coaches and coaching in cricket.
Attending was Ireland’s Andy McCrea who won the European Outstanding Coaching Award. Andy has been involved in many aspects of coaching since he first became qualified in 1994 and as a volunteer, has been at the forefront of many projects, becoming a key member in the development of cricket in Ireland, particularly club, player and coach development.
Read more...

Peter White presenting on behalf of NIACUS the Colts Cup to Derriaghy Captain David ScottColts Cup Final 2011
25th August at Mullavilly Road, Laurelvale CC
Holywood 96 (C Hayes 35, R Adair 26, C Moorhead 7-20, R Cumins 3-12)
Derriaghy 98-6 (R Beckett 28no, M Ballantyne 27, R Adair 4-27)
Derriaghy beat Holywood by 4 wickets
Match Report...

Charlie Beverland Under 11 League sponsored by Norman Shannon & Co., Solicitors
Under 11 Shield Final - 23rd August at Shaw's Bridge
CSNI 78 (P McGonigle 33, B Hunter 4-10, H Lockhart 2-7)
Lurgan 80-1 (C Gibson 51no)
Lurgan beat CSNI by 9 wickets
Man of the Match: C Gibson

Under 11 Plate Final - 23rd August at Shaw's Bridge
Waringstown 52-6 (A Denver 12, H Rainey 2-6, C Auchmaty 2-2)
CIYMS 55-4 (H Rainey 13no, A Weir 13no, J Carson 2-4)
CIYMS beat Waringstown by 6 wickets
Man of the Match: H Rainey
Click her for results...

Saintfield Cricket Club receive Club Accreditation Scheme statusSaintfield Cricket Club receive Club Accreditation Scheme status
Saintfield Cricket Club has become the latest club to be accredited on the Cricket Ireland / Clubmark NI Club Accreditation Scheme.
Saintfield are now the fifth club to be accredited on the Scheme’s ever-growing programme, joining North Down, Derriaghy, Templepatrick and Carrickfergus as the only cricket clubs in Northern Ireland to reach the expected levels.
The status means that the club have demonstrated they have the capacity to reach minimum operating standards in the areas of effective management, quality coaching and competition and safety.
Read more...

Waringstown make club history in Midweek League FinalWaringstown make club history in Midweek League Final
Waringstown Cricket Club Midweek XI made history on Wednesday evening as they won the NCU Midweek League Final for the first time against Muckamore by 58 runs.
The final was held at Cregagh CC and the hosts put on a superb display for the final which has surely found a home for the Midweek League Final for years to come.
The winning margin of victory may have been a comfortable 58 runs but at the halfway stage Waringstown would have been disappointed to only make 106 for 7 from their 20 overs.
Read more...

Cricket BlitzCricket Blitz
Instonians under 11s hosted a 6 a side blitz between themselves, Lurgan and Waringstown with Inst fielding an A and B team.
The blitz was played with modified rules - 10 overs per innings with players retiring at 20 with the option of coming back into the action after the last man was out, everyone in the bowling team had two overs to bowl apart from the keeper.
Read more...

Lurgan Ladies CricketLurgan Ladies Cricket
Lurgan Ladies recently played against the Lurgan U13b game in their first ever match. The game was played at Pollock Park and both teams used the evening to try things out and learn more about the sport. The girls have been training hard under the watchful eye of Callum Grieve along with mum Sandra.
Read more...

Belfast Under 14's finish 3rd in Lord's Taverners' Inner Cities Tournament
Belfast Under 14's finished in third place in this year's Ford Lord's Taverners Inner Cities Cup, played this week at Arundel in West Sussex, where they joined seven other major UK cities who had qualified for the National Finals of this prestigious tournament, which was won this year by Swansea who beat Leeds by 1 wicket in a very close final.
Read more...

All Ireland Under 11 Semi Final
CSNI 89-6 (30overs, J Lown 24, R Kirkpatrick 20no)
Killyclooney 86 (K Magee 43, J Colhoun 27, M Foster 7-23 J Pollard 3-3)
CSNI beat Killyclooney by 3 runs

Under 13 League Final
18th August at Eaton Park, Ballymena
CSNI 170-5 (Ben McGavock 100, Paddy Beverland 52, Dan McKimm 4-18)
Waringstown 128-5 (Marcus McClean 48no, Ross Waite 28, Ewan Hamilton 3-17)
CSNI beat Waringstown by 42 runs


Under 15 League Final
17th August at Pollock Park, Lurgan
Saintfield 143 (28.2 overs, R Smith 78no, J Curran 3-28, A Webb 2-37)
Laurelvale 144-9 (29.4 overs, S McConville 61, P Telford 3-16, T McCavara 4-23)
Laurelvale beat Saintfield by 1 wicket


Quoile Cup Final ©John Boomer/CricketEuropeQuoile Cup Final (Under 11) (sponsored by Solmatix)
Ballymena 123-0 (20 overs, J Glass 55no, J McLean 41no)
CSNI 124-4 (20 overs, R Kilpatrick 51no, P McGonigle 30, J Glass 2-9)
CSNI beat Ballymena by 6 wickets


Winning Banoge Cup Winners - CSNI ©John Boomer/CricketEuropeBanoge Cup Final (Under 13)
Waringstown 127-5 (R Waite 53, M. McClean 40, E Hamilton 2-17)
CSNI 131-1 (P Beverland 62no, N McMinn 36, B McGavock 19no)
CSNI beat Waringstown by 9 wickets



Saintfield Under 15s - Graham Cup Winners 2011Graham Cup Final (Under 15)
Lisburn 100-9 (25 overs, R Moore 32, R Smyth 3-12, J Reid 2-26, R Martin 2-30)
Saintfield 101-6 (21.4 overs, P Stewart 17, P Hylands 2-24, M Lightbody 2-15)
Saintfield beat Lisburn by 4 wickets



News #2
Ulster Bank Challenge Cup Man of the Match Awards - 2011
All the photos for the Ulster Bank Challenge Cup Man of the Match Awards can be found by clicking the link above.

Volunteering in Sport
Volunteering is an ideal way to get involved in sport, develop new skills and stay engaged in a sport. It can be a rewarding activity which helps you to meet new people and take on new challenges through roles such as coaching or administration.
Sports volunteering activities
The wide range of opportunities to get involved in sports volunteering includes:
  • coaching
  • administration
  • officiating
  • committee work
  • organising events and competitions
Depending on your individual skills or interests, you can offer to volunteer in any of the above areas. Some of the most important attributes include enthusiasm and interest.
For more information on volunteering in sport visit www.nidirect.gov.uk/sports-volunteering.
News #3
NCU Disciplinary Bye-Laws 2011
The NCU Management Board has reviewed its Disciplinary Bye-Laws and made a number of amendments which bring them into line with the Cricket Ireland Disciplinary Regulations.
The main changes are:
    Clubs are now responsible for the behaviour of their spectators;
    The penalty for a Level 1 offence now includes a one match suspension;
    'religion' is added to Level 3 offence (c);
    Changes to the Disciplinary Hearing procedure for dealing with a Level 1 offence;
    New procedures for appeals - see paragraph 4(b).
Please note that the Management Board has decided that the outcome of all proven disciplinary offences will be publicised. Clubs should make members aware of this.
View NCU Disciplinary Bye-Laws 2011

NCU Bye-Laws 2011
The NCU Management Board has made a number of changes to Bye-laws for the 2011 season.
Former Bye-law (i) dealing with 'shoulder-high' no-balls has been removed. The effect of this is that Law 42.6 now applies - a short pitched ball passing above 'head height' will be called no-ball.
Bye-law (l) dealing with wides has been expanded to provide for a wide marker. An illustration is included at the end of the Bye-Laws.
Bye-law (m) referring to the timing of a 50 over fixture has been increased from 185 minutes to 190 minutes.
Bye-law (n) dealing with non-turf pitches has been amended to reflect the new league structure.
View NCU Bye-Laws 2011

The NCU is seeking a volunteer to act as its Public Relations Officer (PRO).
The PRO would be responsible for handling the Union’s relationship with the local press and media as well as promoting the interests of the Union’s main sponsors.
Read More . . .

Info

 
If clubs or individuals have any articles / results / scorecards they would like published on the NCU site then send them to Wylie McKinty
 
If you would like to become involved with the NCU, in any capacity, then get in contact with the Union's General Secretary, Bryan Milford on NCU.cricket@btinternet.com or alternatively contact any NCU Board Member.
 
Stephen Moreton
Coach Education Officer
Senior Women's Coach
Cricket Ireland
Unit 22 Grattan Business Park
Clonshaugh
Dublin 17
Ireland
Tel: +353 1 8947914
Mob: +353 833 779208
Fax: +353 1 8488035
Email: stephen.moreton@irishcricket.org
 
 

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