Play held up after umpire collapses

UMPIRE Jimmy Griffiths collapsed during the match between Austerlands and Friarmere.

Play was stopped for 25 minutes as an ambulance was called to Thorpe Lane.

He was taken to Royal Oldham Hospital, where he has undergone tests.

The game continued and was eventually won by Austerlands in a tight finish.


FELLOW umpire Ian Brown has been in the wars of late.

The official collapsed at the end of the division two fixture between Friarmere and Shaw at West View.

An ambulance was called, but it turned out he was suffering from sunstroke.

Then, last Sunday, he was virtually knocked off his feet when he was hit on the shoulder in the second-team featuring Friarmere again, only this time they were playing Austerlands.

He was left shaken, but carried on.


DAVE Ripley is set for a spell on the sidelines after fracturing his eye socket.

The Glodwick player was fielding close to the bat in the division two game against Stayley when he was struck in the face by the ball.