A DIFICULT question faced umpires Tony Jones and Jim Hellett in the last match of the Westmorland Cricket League' s 2001 season - the championship decider between Arnside and visitors Westgate.

With Westgate needing 25 to retain their championship with eight wickets remaining, they abandoned the match after a heavy shower on an already wet wicket.

Arnside were thus crowned champions.

Two neutral umpires in first division games has only been a feature of the Westmorland League since 1999.

The equanimity that greeted the decision of Mssrs Jones and Hellett fully justified the move.

Both Arnside and Westgate are likely to be vying at the top again this season.

Arnside are strengthened with the return of all-rounder Oliver Hogg and Westgate by

batsman Roger Hill.

Westgate, however, have doubt over the availability of bowler Ian Higson.

A challenge for this year's title could stem from Milnthorpe, Warton or Sedgwick.

After labouring with injury last season, the two Willacy brothers will be hoping to rediscover their old form for Sedgwick and at the same time compensate for the loss of Nigel Gregg and John Draper.

Warton and Milnthorpe also start with notable absentees.

In Warton's case Mark Tugman and at Milnthorpe Neil Spragg.

However, respective new captains Adrian

Nelson and John Naylor inherit teams that finished last season on a high note.

Status quo seems to be the lot at most clubs with the notable exception of Burneside.

They seem the loss of Shaun Stuart, Russell

Stewart through injury and Mike Halhead, who goes back to his roots at Milnthorpe.

With these losses, new captain Mark Wilson welcomes back with open arms Paul Wilson and Roy Swidenbank.

History has shown that the Burneside club copes with changes in personnel better than any other.

At Heysham, Ingleton, Shireshead and Windermere it will be very much the old culprits on show.

Shireshead are hoping young bowler Sean Twiname, son of Colin, will provide a much-needed cutting edge.

At Heysham the hope is a return to form for class bat Paul Antcliffe.

There is little doubt the three brothers Kellett, sons of umpire Jim, will be to the fore again at Ingleton.

After years of sterling service Dave McGonnigal drops to the second team.

At troubled Windermere there is still star quality in Joe Stephenson, Nick Lewthwaite and John Baines.

The return to the first division of Silverdale and Trimpell sees the nostalgic reappearance of two

players who are legends in their own lifetime.

Statistically, Chris Mason of Silverdale is the most successful all-rounder in the 108-year history of the league.

With over 2000 wickets to his name, nobody has taken more wickets than Trimpell's Dave Cocker.

For most top-flight teams, 2002 will bring a first visit to Silverdale's beautifully maintained new ground on Cove Road.

The seasiders are unsure about the availability of match-winning all-rounder Phil Lowe but in Phil Bovis they have a new player who comes with a good reputation.

Ex-Carnforth player Tony Barrow has joined Trimpell, he too with a little to prove.

In the expanded second division it looks to be a very open contest for elevation to the elite.

After their non-season Kirkby Lonsdale could well return with a vengeance.

In Jim Kettlewell and Derek Williams they have a proven pedigree.

Andy Young and Steve Emery are always capable of lifting Moor Hospital, where there is now real concern over the state of their outfield.

New housing around the ground has badly affected drainage.

Possible surprise in division two are Ambleside and the lucky men from Holme, who got in through the back door.

Ambleside have pugnacious all-rounder Paul Spencer, who is more than capable of ruffling a few

feathers.

Holme have the steadfast wicketkeeper/batsman Trevor Barnes and another Westmorland League legend in Mick Fawcett in their ranks.

Earlier this month, Mick celebrated his 60th birthday!

Both Bare and Bolton-le-Sands will be striving to get back into division one at the first attempt, but both are suffering from a player shortage.

It is an increasing malaise, which the league tackles through its healthy junior section.

This year sees an U11 league to go alongside the U16 and U13 leagues.

Not since 1928 has the Westmorland League seen a division containing 14 teams.

The other teams are Coniston, Ibis, Levin Valley, Cartmel and the A teams from Burnside, Carnforth, Westgate and Sedgwick.

For romantics it would be good to see Willie Crowe and his merry men from Cartmel win something in their 150th anniversary year.