DELPH & Dobcross suffer more than most with our temperamental weather.

Indeed, they may well have laid their hands on the Byrom Shield more than just the once (2003) had it not been for the rain which frequently seems to blight play at their Huddersfield Road ground.

It’s a point not lost on Delph skipper Grant Jones, who has welcomed the recent spell of sunny, dry ‘cricket’ weather with a satisfied smile.

And here’s why.

“All the rain we’ve suffered as a league during last season and the beginning of this is just soul destroying – and it’s why people are falling out of love with the game,” said Jones.

“No-one wants to be sitting around on a Saturday afternoon watching the covers being dragged on and watching the covers being dragged off again.

“It’s just not enjoyable – lads want to enjoy playing their cricket, not sit watching it rain and sets of covers being dragged about.”

Jones ventures that the weather hits far more deeply, too, than people might think at first glance.

“It makes it very hard to get any momentum going in the season when it’s always chucking it down,” he explained.

“And clubs are losing out both on and off the field, because no-one is going to come through the gates when it’s pouring down, so no-one is going to spend on admission, raffles and buying drinks over the bar.

“This all put together means that clubs are suffering.”