League to plug cup rule gap

IMRAN ASLAM

THE Armstrong Office Furniture Saddleworth and District Cricket League is to take action to clear up the controversy of when rain-hit Tanner Cup ties should be replayed.

A reworded rule will be put before the league’s annual meeting in October to ensure there is no repeat of this season’s shenanigans.

It has been the procedure for many years that rain-interrupted cup ties, which are staged on Sundays, should resume or start on the Monday and be played each subsequent evening until completed.

But the rule was challenged in the first round when a senior umpire agreed that the Heyside v Moorside tie could be rescheduled on a free weekend date.

And that repeated itself for Sunday’s semi-final between Bamford and Friarmere which ought to have started on Monday evening.

The league committee last night ruled that match will be played on Sunday, July 20 and, if play does not start or is not completed, there must be play each subsequent evening.

League general secretary Trevor Harrison said: “The rule has been in existence for 20, maybe even 30 years, and has never been challenged before.

“It says play starts at 1.45pm on Sunday and shall continue each succeeding evening. But clubs have found a way round it by arguing that if play has not started, how can it continue the next night.

“You can take it as read that the wording will be clarified and a new rule put to the annual meeting.”




FRIARMERE’S call for an inquiry into the conduct of the umpires at their game against Bamford has been rejected by the league committee.



Friarmere captain Andy Walker took the unprecedented step of ordering his players off the field.

Walker was upset with the refusal of the match officials to suspend play because of rain and bad light.

But after discussing the matter, the league committee dismissed Friarmere’s request and ordered the original result stands.

“Basically it was a matter of opinion. The umpires thought it was playable and Friarmere didn’t. The umpires are in charge and teams have to abide by their decisions,” explained Mr Harrison.

By walking off the pitch, Friarmere were deemed to have declared so Bamford were awarded maximum bowling points. They were 99 for four in reply to Bamford’s 185 for two when play was halted.




GLODWICK have secured the services of professional Imran Aslam for next season, despite other clubs expressing an interest.



The club stages a Twenty/20 match against Uppermill on Friday evening with a 6.30pm start. This is part of a charity competition that has been set up in aid of Christies Hospital.

Austerlands are also in the same group, along with Cheetham Hill.

As a Lancashire Cricket Board focus club, Glodwick are to host a three- day coaching school organised by Chris Highton, who is the LCB Community Cricket Co-ordinator.

He will be assisted by the club’s qualified coaches and professional Imran Aslam for the event o n August 19, 20 and 21.

Age groups being catered for will be under-9s, 11s and 13s and the cost will be £5 per day. For further details contact the club.