Umpires believe the new Drakes Huddersfield League rain rule will work well this season.
The Umpires Association have 54 names in the handbook this summer – with 50 officials ready to start the season on Saturday.
A simplified version of the Duckworth-Lewis method will be used in rain-affected matches and while calculators and adjustment sheets will become the matchday norm, Umpires secretary David Haikings feels clubs will soon get used to the change.
“There has been a bit of apprehension about the new rain rule, but it’s been used over in Lancashire for quite a while now and we are told it works well,” said Haikings, who takes charge of the Drakes Premiership clash between Scholes and Delph on Saturday, alongside Phillip Mitton.
“Our Association have done presentations and given examples at our meetings, and we can go through it again if necessary when we meet on Thursday night.
“It will be a team effort between the umpires, the scorers and the team captains to work together and, hopefully, if we get things right on the scoreboard, everyone will be able to follow and understand what’s going on, knowing exactly what revised score is being chased and how many overs are left.
“We might have the odd teething problem and that’s understandable, but generally we are told it works well and, when people get used to it, I’m sure that will be the case here as well.”
Meanwhile, the Drakes League are planning to go ahead as scheduled with the Sykes Cup and Paddock Shield ties on Sunday, May 3 – the day the Tour de Yorkshire cycle race comes through.
If any game has a slightly delayed start because of the cycle race passing nearby, clubs will not be fined.
Meanwhile, all senior club coaches, captains and vice-captains have been reminded they need DBS forms completed.
These are the old CRB checks and it’s mandatory for captains and coaches to fill our the paperwork.
A total of 15 people attended the session at Cumberworth CC last Friday and another session is being planned but, in the meantime, anyone who needs a form sorting urgently should contact League Welfare Officer Roger Peaker on 07899 847055.
