PUDDLES, PLAY-OFFS AND THAT PNG PARTY

We’re well into the festive season now so I just wanted to sign off for the year with a look back at what was a hectic, if overall somewhat disappointing 2015 for followers of domestic cricket.

It has been a really long year for everyone- stretching back to January with Ireland’s warm-up matches before the World Cup right through to the women’s successful World T20 Qualifying campaign earlier this month- so a break is some way overdue.

On the International stage the “boys in green” were excellent in the Antipodes although qualification for the last eight proved just a bridge too far this time. Off the field there were to be major issues to contend with too; starting with the disgraceful decision by the ICC to cut future World Cups to just 10 teams.

The squad also bade farewell to Head Coach Phil Simmons as the West Indian accepted a job that Padre Pio reportedly turned down- trying to revive the fortunes of a wildly split Caribbean camp.

On the bright side his replacement, John Bracewell’s, first order of official business was a T20 series against Scotland at Bready; a weekend the New Zealander used as a warm-up for the forthcoming WT20 qualifiers. It was a chance for the region to showcase itself as a serious International host and despite what had become an all-too-familiar sight of incessant rain, the Magheramason club pulled out every stop they could find.

Fittingly, there were no fewer than five North West-based players used in the first of the two games to survive the elements, with the biggest cheer of all reserved for the announcement that David Rankin would be handed his full International debut on his home ground. There was also a fairly big roar when “Scotchie” landed and unfurled the Saltire but that’s a story for another day.

A 2-0 loss to the Scots was hardly ideal preparation for the main event; however Ireland went on to secure a place in India next March despite losing to the Netherlands in the last four of qualifying. Once again the wet stuff played its part albeit up at Bready we were treated to some wonderful entertainment by the likes of Hong Kong and Papua New Guinea.

Where play was possible it was fantastic to watch, and when it wasn’t, well, that was even better. Unperturbed by rain the PNG dressing room became some sort of multi-cultural social club and the doors were flung open to all comers. In an era when International cricketers at some levels are as disengaging as Premiership footballers, this was a breath of fresh air to those who witnessed it.

Kila Pala played Michael Gillespie’s guitar, not that Michael knew much about it until he saw a video on Facebook, while Willie Gavera did one of the strangest “moonwalks” you’re ever likely to see.

Even the bemused Hong Kong players had a laugh and I’d say only they had another game soon after, it wouldn’t have taken much persuasion to get Charlie Burke and his boys to turn this into a full-blown party.
The night before the qualifiers began the local Umpires Association were delighted to host a Q and A session with Nigel Llong, David Jukes, Mark Hawthorne and our own Roly Black- a wonderful opportunity for North West officials to chew the fat with some of the best in the business.

The whole thing was genuinely a big deal for cricket in the North West.

Closer to the home the Premiership was won by Coleraine although a disappointing turn of events saw Brigade decide not to contest what could have been a fitting end to the campaign. St Johnston were relegated after a protracted battle with Bready, Ardmore and Strabane- the absence of an overseas professional not helping the Donegal men’s cause on the field.

Runs were hard come by in the top flight but that certainly wasn’t the case in the Championship where a host of batsmen made hay. Marco Marais was superb for Fox Lodge; likewise Peat Salmon for Newbuildings and David Cooke for Bonds Glen. Darren Moan, Eden Links and Jason Milligan also had prolific seasons for Killyclooney, Glendermott and the Foxies respectively.

Arguably the best of them all was Jean Symes although despite his 1200 plus runs in just 16 games for Creevedonnell, his decision to go home early meant it all counted for nothing as his club paid the heaviest of prices.

Despite all that it was Drummond- also without an overseas professional- who claimed the promotion spot after a superb battle with Brian Allen’s team that went to the wire, and then some. The Roe Valley has been struggling for a while now so it will give the game there such a shot in the arm to see Drummond, Ballyspallen and Limavady all promoted in the same year.

Donemana won the cup again, although it was Ricky-Lee who collected it after Richard Kee was denied the opportunity of being the first captain ever to lift four-in-a-row. It was difficult not to feel for “Keesy” and indeed hosts Eglinton both of whom were driven to the wall by yet more damned rain.

Truth to tell it was a shocking season weather-wise and for many it will be a case of drawing a line under it and starting again.

The North West Warriors also felt the pinch as despite another year of major improvement, Head Coach Bobby Rao stood down to take on a Coaching/Development role in his native Hyderabad. Most people know just how organised and dedicated Bobby has been in the North West going back 20 years, but few will be aware of the vast hours he put in to this role.

Bobby is back in Strabane at present to spend Christmas with the family and there is a hint of irony that the job he vacated hasn’t been advertised yet. He has left a wonderful legacy for cricket here and we really don’t need to lose any momentum if we’re to try to keep pace with Leinster.

Talking about the Knights usually gets me into trouble but they will be improved next year too with Max Sorensen and Graeme McCarter now added into an ever-growing mix.

There would appear to be a stand-out candidate to take over Bobby’s mantle, but whoever is to get the job really should have been identified by now. Whatever other issues may be ongoing the Interprovincials have been a wonderful addition to the cricket calendar, albeit work remains to be done to ensure they do what they set out to do.

Anyway, it’s hibernation time for a while for me and a chance to catch up on about 10 months housework so I’d just like to wish everyone the happiest of holidays and a peaceful new year in the hope that our paths cross again in 2016.