NUSC today confirms that 2012 Club Captain Josh Tasman-Jones has completed terms to represent Dublin University CC (DUCC) for the 2013 Leinster Cricket Union season.
The signing represents the ongoing partnership between DUCC and NUSC (sponsored by Hilton Newcastle Gateshead) which has previously seen Gareth Purshouse spend a season in Dublin. Dublin University leading players such as Forrest, Conway and Kapour have been welcome tourists as part of Leinster Cricket Union’s annual commitments to the ‘Hilton Newcastle Gateshead Championships’ in North East England in June.
Josh, 1st X1 captain and a coach at North Shore Cricket Club in Auckland used his UK passport to spend the 2012 season developing his game as captain of NUSC. His all round skills as a stylish top order bat, seam bowler and attacking captaincy style, helped the NUSC squad to five championships including the eye catching victories over Leinster Cricket Union and the demolition of an England and Wales Cricket Board national team at Jesmond in August 2012.
Having been accepted onto a post graduate university degree in Auckland, Josh declined numerous offers to spend the forthcoming season in the UK to concentrate on those studies. However, DUCC worked quickly with NUSC to provide a tailor made package to allow Josh to combine his studies with a European cricket season and enable Trinity to secure a signing boost as they seek a significant 2013 season.
A senior DUCC Cricket committee member commented they were delighted to have signed Josh adding:
“Josh is a fine academic and highly rated cricketer, bringing DUCC valuable experience on and advanced coaching skills off the field. This is the style of player we want to be seeing at Dublin University. We have already been very impressed at Josh’s commitment to changing his plans to take up the opportunity at DUCC and look forward to seeing him in action in just a few days time”.
Josh commented that “Dublin University’s offer was truly unexpected. It is fantastic in allowing me the opportunity to combine my studies while continuing to develop my cricketing career”. He further added “I remain deeply honoured that both DUCC Management and John D Holland at NUSC were willing to work so hard to create the opportunity and to place such trust in me to represent their fantastic partnership. I cannot wait to start playing with DUCC”.
John D Holland, NUSC Director of Cricket added “Josh is irreplaceable at NUSC and there could not be anyone better to represent our partnership with DUCC. The whole NUSC organization thanks Josh once again for what he helped the club achieve in 2012 as only we know the hard work and sacrifices it took. We wish him an extra special year at Dublin University. Go n-éirí an t-ádh leat Josh!”.
DUCC start their 2013 season against Clontarf on April 20th in what must represent one of the toughest matches of the year with Clontarf fielding Ireland internationals such as Andre Botha, Alex Cusack and Andrew Poynter.
DUCC will hope Josh brings some of NUSC’s winning magic with him to Dublin and they can adopt the NUSC approach of “the harder you work, the luckier you get”.
NUSC wish DUCC and Josh a very lucky season!