TOMMY: Can I assure readers who read last week's column that I was not suicidal, just a little down after the

disappointing result.

We went to Blackpool on Saturday and I always think of sunny days at the seaside, but how wrong can you be!

Down came the rain again and up came the stumps for a bowl-out and we finished up losing 3-2, but I'm not arguing about the idea.

Im my view, bowl-outs are a good way of getting a result on the day and serve their purpose in this respect.

It's fair for both sides because there are three stumps to hit and all eleven men have a go: team who hits the most wins.

However, if you were playing football you would have played a game before a penalty shoot-out.

In this instance there is no play before a bowl-out, so there is a possibility that the weakest side would win.

But at the end of the day the league, and I believe most of the players, want a result on the day.

Practicising bowl-outs is something that needs to be done, even if its for 15 minutes before a cup game.

We haven't actually officially practised a bowl-out.

Saying that though, I have often seen Stuart Nixon bowling at just three stumps before or during a practice session - and perhaps everybody should take a turn, just in case!

I hear that Barrow CC are joining the league next year, which is excellent news because it all fits in with the long-term plan to turn the Northern League into a two

division set up.

I think most will agree this has got to be the way forward to produce better and hungrier cricketers also creating less dead rubbers in our league.

The prospect of promotion and relegation will add some spice to our cricket season.

DAVE: We arrived at Preston and to our amazement it was fit to start on time, the square was a

little wet and the wicket was damp but fit to play. Then the rain filled in and we had to sit and wait.

Glenn, the Preston skipper, and myself were both keen to try and get some sort of a game in instead of bowling at wickets. At one stage we even had the umpires willing to stand in light rain with an umbrella for 10 overs a side: that's how much we did not want to have a bowl-out!

The rain stopped so we agreed to 20 overs per side. We lost the toss and were batting, and then after 30 minutes of dry, bright sky the wet weather came and that was it, an early tea and a bowl-out.

Somehow we won 3-2 on sudden-death after it had been 2-2 after all eleven had bowled.

Now I know some of you will be saying how did only two people hit the stumps out of eleven?

But, in our defence, it is a bit of a lottery. It's difficult after sitting in the dressing-room all afternoon to have to get yourself switched to go out in the rain and be motivated to bowl one ball.

We played bit of football to warm-up and then had a practice, bowling to our keeper on the outfield.

The only good thing about the bowl out is that it is fair for both sides and it means the away team does not have to travel to replay the fixture in what starts to be a congested cup run on a Sunday.

It's good news that Barrow have been accepted in to the league for next season.

I would not be surprised to see Furness apply as well as they are a good forward-looking club with quality players and great facilities.

- This week sees the derby game played at Netherfield on Bank Holiday Monday with both the skippers looking forward to going head to head with each other. Read next week's column for the inside story.

May 23, 2003 10:30