NW CRICKET: David Bradley not panicking just yet as new rule is in place

It is symptomatic of the weather that clubs have been facing this summer that the total number of Championship matches played in the month of July will now be just three.
Fox Lodge bowler Luke Hayes is mobbed by his team mates after he had claimed the wicket of Bonds Glen batsman Johnny Haslett. INLS2916-118KMFox Lodge bowler Luke Hayes is mobbed by his team mates after he had claimed the wicket of Bonds Glen batsman Johnny Haslett. INLS2916-118KM
Fox Lodge bowler Luke Hayes is mobbed by his team mates after he had claimed the wicket of Bonds Glen batsman Johnny Haslett. INLS2916-118KM

No play was possible in any of Saturday’s scheduled fixtures either and although league leaders Fox Lodge and opponents Burndennett persevered until mid-afternoon in the hope of some kind of game, they were forced to succumb to the inevitable.

Regional Administrator David Bradley is in no rush to arrange any new dates however and felt that with the new 29-day rule now in place, things weren’t as bad as some cricket followers would imagine.

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“To be honest the Championship isn’t that far behind with all clubs having at least half of their fixtures already played,” he said.

“We need to get the T20 and Sammy Jeffrey matches played this week and then concentrate on finals day at Beechgrove on Sunday.

“We can look at the re-arranged league fixtures after that, but the extension gives us a bit of leeway so there’s little point in cramming games in when we don’t really have to just yet.”

No doubt the groundsmen will be happy to see pitches being given some sort of chance to recover after that recent battering as clubs start out on the second half of the season.

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While the Sammy Jeffrey semi-final draw sees Fox Lodge entertain Newbuildings and Ballyspallen making the trip to Donegal to face St Johnston.

Weather permitting both last four ties are to be played this Saturday.

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