Regular readers of this column will know that there are some things which, in the words of Peter Griffin, “grind my gears”. I feel from chatting to players and others that Leinster cricket is rapidly heading towards a crunch moment in relation to new Clubs, second grounds and general provision of facilities to cricketers, spectators and the general public.
The situation whereby players are forced to change for games in the middle of public parks, or even school grounds without toilet facilities or changing rooms can not be permitted to continue without concrete plans to improve matters. If nothing else, it can not fit in with child protection policies, as followed by the LCU and each club, to have under-age children, women or even the men, having to change into their playing gear in front of teammates, spectators or even the general public in an open park.
I am fortunate that the wife of one of our players turns up every week and provides a scoring service that is second to none. Coloured pens, books that add up and the removal of the task of scoring from the captaincy burden are all very welcome. However, it can not be right that the scorer feels unable to take a drink during the game, for fear of needing, and not be able to access, a toilet.
The expansion of the game within Leinster is most welcome and cricket can make a case for being one of, if not the most, integrated sport in Ireland. Players have come to Ireland from all over the globe, and for some of these new arrivals, Irish cricket provides their first taste of cricket played on grass or even with a real cricket ball. Some of these players have joined what I would call established clubs, whilst new clubs have also sprung up to cater to new arrivals who reside in parts of Leinster which have had little or no opportunity for cricket previously. This is all to be embraced, nurtured and given all possible assistance to flourish.
The LCU has brought in an accreditation scheme for all clubs to give a guide to how to bring a club forward, both on and off the pitch. Guidance and advice is available to all and is freely given by the LCU’s officials. However, the impetus for improvement still has to come from the Clubs themselves, or at least will have to until the LCU brings forward a minimum timeframe for providing minimum facilities.
When artificial mats started to appear in Leinster cricket messages were sent to clubs informing visiting teams that that no spikes were to be worn on the artificial mat. Perhaps it is now time to send similar warning messages that there are no toilet facilities, or no changing rooms or no showers available at a ground, allowing minors, ladies and even the men to arrive ready changed for their game and avoid any potential pitfalls upon arrival.
This is not to belittle the efforts or plans that some club are implementing. Speaking to the Lucan captain gave an insight to the negotiations and plans that have to be made and some of the difficulties that are faced. It also does not take account of the tremendous labours being expended to maximise what is available.
Greystones are a fine example for new clubs to follow and have gone from new club moving from tenants of a rugby club to their new home in Druids Glen and again have shown what is possible with a drive and commitment that is admirable.
I’d be interested to hear what other players out there have to say on the matter. Please feel free to leave any comments below.
In previous articles I have extolled the virtues of the teas experienced on my travels around the grounds of Leinster, but on Sunday, last weekend Wendy from Clontarf surpassed all previous efforts. In the delightful surroundings of Mount Temple, Wendy provided a tea of enchanting wraps, sausages, samosas, chicken, cakes galore and piping hot tea. All of this was done without any catering facilities at the ground. Clontarf appear to be holding their version of “Bake-off” and if Wendy’s Carrot Cake does not win this competition then I for one want the recipe for the winning entry. No soggy bottoms here! Thank you to Wendy, who as well as providing a tea which saw players descend upon it like vultures, also cleared up after leaving not a crumb of evidence of our presence and to our hosts Clontarf who have a fine second ground, albeit with an outfield that is sporty to put it mildly. I just hope we can give them a better game in the return fixture.
I wish to publicly pass on my congratulations to my teammate Gordon Clarke, who last weekend scored his first century for Pembroke 5’s in Division 11 versus Lucan. Gordon represents Ireland at hockey and his brother Neville plays across the road in R&SPU. It was a delight to see first hand his delight and the delight of his two young boys, who got to see Daddy reach three figures. His previous highest score was 84 scored in 2010 for North Kildare CC. It was a ton that was well worth waiting for. Carlsberg Clarke!
The fantasy league continues for action on rather than off the pitch. With 15 wickets and over 700 runs we have a new leader. The new overall leader this week is S. Anderson [Phoenix].
Overall Point Leaders
1305 S Anderson Phoenix
1270 A Varma Merrion
1171 Simranjit Singh YMCA
1158 B Parchment NCCC
1136 Harry Tector YMCA
1105 L Prior Clontarf
1092 M Collier Clontarf
1065 R Tariq Clontarf
1065 Craig Senior Pembroke
1058 T Anders Phoenix
1050 D Rhoda Merrion
1036 Robert Forrest Clontarf
1035 R Kear Balbriggan
1026 Jeremy Dunleavy Pembroke
1021 R Butt Carl
1012 B Singh Bhathal Merrion
1006 Sam Murphy YMCA
1001 D Coffey Rush
993 Jono Cook Pembroke
984 Tomas Rooney Murphy The Hills
Runs scored
Two centuries and six half centuries in 13 games have propelled S Anderson [Phoenix] to the top of the run scoring charts by a clear 72 runs. A fine achievement when starred on the First XI, and above the line too.
715 S Anderson Phoenix
643 S Kant Trikha Carl
620 A Parkinson Merrion
585 R Tariq Clontarf
577 H Archer The Hills
543 R Smith Merrion
530 A Poynter Clontarf
528 B Parchment NCCC
525 N Johns YMCA
521 Simranjit Singh YMCA
521 A D'Arcy Clontarf
Wickets taken
Merrion’s Fourth XI player A Varma continues his fine form with the ball and is a clear 11 wickets clear of the other 1,900 players.
42 A Varma, Merrion
31 R Kear, Balbriggan
27 Padraic Flanagan, YMCA; Harry Tector, YMCA; Jono Cook, Pembroke
26 K Vulker, Pembroke; L Prior, Clontarf; D Coffey, Rush
25 J Prendergast, Pembroke
24 N Sharma, Merrion; T Anders, Phoenix; P Rout, Terenure; Eddie Richardson, NCCC
Fielding
This category combines catches and stumpings, but due to the advantage keepers have here we are showing the top 20.
24+8= 32 Sam Murphy YMCA
26+5= 31 Robert Forrest Clontarf
21+6= 27 Richard Forrest Leinster
19+3= 22 Mick Cotter Terenure
18+2= 20 J Grassi NCCC
15+5= 20 Neil Rock Rush
17+1= 18 Diarmuid Lynch Terenure
12+6= 18 R Smith Merrion
15+2= 17 P Bhardwaj Dundrum
13+4= 17 H Habib ACC
12+5= 17 A Taylor Phoenix
10+6= 16 Lorcan Tucker Pembroke
10+4= 14 Nic Pretorius The Hills
12+1= 13 Charlie Kavanagh Pembroke
11+2= 13 M Donegan The Hills
11+2= 13 Sean Rooney NCCC
9+3= 12 Gerard O'Brien R&SPU
7+5= 12 P Byrne R&SPU
6+6= 12 Fintan McAllister Malahide
11+0= 11 L Prior Clontarf
11+0= 11 Craig Senior Pembroke
11+0= 11 David Carthy Rush
11+0= 11 S Katta Laois
9+2= 11 A Zibran Shovon Pembroke