DAVE: The major talking-point this week concerned the Darwen v

Lancaster match on Saturday ...or not as it turned out. No umpires were appointed to the fixture, which was a reaction - supported by their federation - to the bad feeling and controversy on the field between the two sides in the past.

This was obviously planned as it was hinted to us the previous week when we were at

Blackpool.

Personally, I feel this is disappointing as the rules have now been tightened for the umpires to deal with disciplining players more easily.

As all matches were rained off what will

happen to that match?

Will it be declared null and void, will they get four points each or will it be replayed at a later date?

If they replay is that fair on the other sides who were all rained off?

Whatever happens after failing to get an even break from the weather, we need to take maximum points off Leyland Motors this Saturday at Shap Road.

We will be giving a debut to a Pakistani off -spinner/batter who has been over here for three years and is now living and working in Kendal.

Najeeb Rehmani will be a good addition to our small squad of first team players and looks to bowl it quite well from what I have seen in the nets.

Sunday sees us travel to Southport and Birkdale in the second round of the national cup competition.

c c c

TOMMY: Every situation has a positive side and though we failed to see much cricket last weekend, the boys have spent so much time in each

others' company that it can only make us a well-knit side when we got out on the pitch.

Despite the frustration of not playing, we remain in great spirits.

The rain can be very annoying though and on Monday tempers frayed,

I was about to agree with the Darwen captain to call the game off after everyone had waited around until it was almost 4pm, when I looked up to see my opening bowler

firing down a verbal quickie' to a Darwen

supporter in a heated

conversation about the state of our pitch!

You will have to ask me in private if you want to know the official wording of the conversation - but it had plenty of pace and fire!

But usually laughter is not very far away to defuse difficult situations and we have plenty of characters in the side who can provide the humour to keep everyone smiling.

Saturday takes us to Lancaster and a win is needed to get us up and going again.

Hopefully I will win my first toss of the season which will help the

situation.

Contact Tommy and Dave personally or Email to: djf_cricket2000@yahoo.co

May 8, 2003 16:30