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Merseyside Cricket Umpires Association

Colleagues are reminded to regularly check the Members section

 
(Sunday 27 May) Next Sunday 3 June, your beloved President, Dave Jones will be cycling 70 km (43.5 miles) to celebrate his 70th birthday. The ride is on behalf of the British Heart Foundation and he would like to raise at least £800 which will take his total donations to over £7000 in the last 5 years. Please support this worthy cause at BHF
(Tuesday 22 May) Colleagues that have been appointed to Merseyside & SW Lancs District fixtures are reminded that the 2012 playing regulations for the U11, U13 and U15 games are available to download in the members section (SB)
(Monday 21 May) Another important message in Members section
(Monday 21 May) Colleagues are reminded that there are L&DCC fixtures on Bank Holiday Monday 4 June, please check your appointment (DJ)
(Wednesday 16 May) Walter Nelson reports "On the 11th May Alan Bristow advised that all Club and Ground Reports in respect of The BFS "Ray Digman" Knockout Trophy had been received.
Thanks to all concerned, particularly new members and those whose help was sought and given in resolving one or two minor problems"
(Monday 14 May) Player suspension - see Members section
(Friday 11 May) ECB T20 COMPETITION and REVISED CUP DATES
Due to the recent bad weather and problems being experienced by clubs in completing fixtures (and mindful of the significant commitments within overall club activity) the play-by dates of each of the rounds in the ECB T20 Competition have been extended by two weeks. The Finals day remains on 15 July at New Brighton. Please note however that the facility of one week extensions to these dates has been withdrawn and that a result MUST be obtained by the set date. If, for any reason, this is not possible then the result must be settled as provided for in Rule 11.4 of the ECB T20 Rules Document found in the Rules Section of this website.
The revised dates together with the already agreed revised dates for the BFS Ray Digman Trophy and the Chester Cup can be found in the Admin Docs Section of the webnsite - click on Fixtures.
The Management Committee hopes that these actions will enable the Cup Competitions to progress satisfactorily through to conclusion.
John Williams
(Wednesday 9 May) If members agree that a disciplinary offence has occurred in a match and they are unsure whether it is a formal report or not, consult pages 57 and 58 in the L&DCC Rules & Regulations Handbook (MD)
(Wednesday 9 May) Player suspension - see Members section
(Tuesday 24 April) District Cricket - Paul Bryson has expressed his wish that the panel umpires ensure the coaches of the teams properly observe the restrictions on the times when they are allowed to coach. It is hoped that the captains on the day will be allowed to take on their full responsibilities. Without being too pedantic, it might be appropriate to have a quick word informally or at the pre-toss meeting just to clarify the point. (SB)
(Thursday 19 April) MCUA announce the death of Roddy McLeod who umpired with Northern 2nd XI for many years. He had been ill for some time. Funeral arrangements will be notified when available (DJ)
(Tuesday 17 April) MCC regulations have been uploaded to Members/Downloads (DJ)
(Sunday 1 April) Walter Nelson has produced guidelines for the Match Card Reports
(Sunday 1 April) Sadly, Chris Weston has withdrawn from the umpiring scene for 2012. He had keyhole surgery on both knees during the winter and both are better but the left one is not up to standing for 7 or so hours. He has decided to join the band of assessors so he is not lost to MCUA. (DJ)
(Thursday 29th March)
At the recent AGM, 15 year service awards were presented to Hugh Evans, Eric Hadfield and Les Knowles and the John Steel Achievement Award was presented to Dave Murphy for his services to local cricket particularly the Merseyside Competition
The President's Trophy was awarded to Mike Dixon for his services to umpiring and particularly his progression to the First Class game. Paul Foulder accepted the Trophy on Mike's behalf because Mike is spending his usual 6 months in Florida
(Tuesday 20 March) John Steel has sent us a newspaper article highlighting the batting record of Australian Greg Mail who played in the Liverpool Comp some years. Also mentioned in the article is Grant Lambert another L&DCC cricketer.
(Friday 2 March) John Steel reports that he has spoken to Ron Smithard today. His legs are weak but he was in good spirits
(Friday 24 February) (Amended) The Grade 1 umpires for 2012 are:
Steve Ball, Malcolm Barber, Neil Bickley, Chris Dunn, Hugh Evans, Eric Hadfield, Dave Jones, Dave Lee, Ray Partington, Ray Rigby, Jeremy Rowe, Dave Smith, Kevin Wilson

The Grade 1A umpires for 2012 are:
Fred Charters, Roger Driver, Neil Edwards, Peter Freeman, Brian Garwood, Mike Leddy, Jim Naughton, Mike Pearce, Howard Taylor, Simon Taylor (DJ)
(Tuesday 2 January) John Steel reports that "Ron Smithard has been in Arrowe Park hospital for two weeks with heart and ulcer problems. Not up to visitors yet."
(Sunday 6 November) The updated version of the Open Learning Manual produced by the MCC is now available
(Wednesday 5 October) Alan Bristow has published the final pitch & Spirit of Cricket Award report for 2011
(Wednesday 28 September) An obituary for John Ashley can be found in the About us/Obituaries section (DJ)
(Monday 26 September) Walter Nelson reports:
"For the second successive year I am delighted to announce 100% compliance with LDCC's request for the submission of MCUA Club and Ground Reports. In respect of the 2011 season, ending 17th September, this was complete by Friday 23rd. This is a truly outstanding achievement reflecting the greatest credit on all concerned.
There are three Reports outstanding in respect of MCC matches, partially due to outdated personal records,which have now been rectified. It is hoped this action will enable a speedy conclusion to this minor shortcoming.
Special mention and thanks are due to those colleagues who have stood on their own, some more than once, and as a result had no one with whom to share this vital part of our administrative duties.
On behalf of Alan Bristow and David Murphy, LDCC and MCC respectively,may I personally thank all members for their continued good work and courtesy when approached for clarification or resolution of specific matters

I hope you and your families winter well!"
(Wednesday 21 September) Sadly, MCUA reports the death of John Ashley last Friday aged 73 years. His funeral will be held Monday next at All Saints Church, Childwall Abbey Road, L16 0JW at 11am (MD)
 (Tuesday 20 September) Some thoughts from Hughie Evans about MCUA
(Sunday 11 September) CODE OF CONDUCT

ECB to ban detrimental comments

Players and club officials shall not make any public or media comment which is detrimental to the League, clubs, umpires or the game in general. In this instance, media shall include press, radio, television, external websites, club websites, social networking sites and club match programmes.
(Friday 9 September) Following an incident in a match involving Liverpool CC, a member of the MCUA umpiring panel has been suspended for 2 weeks from today and a further 3 weeks at the beginning of the 2012 season. The MCUA Management Committee took into account mitigating circumstances when reaching this decision (HE)
(Monday 5 September) Ainsdale CC suspend Philip Causey for 12 months, see Member's section (DJ)
(Wednesday 24 August) Chris Dunn has produced a report about his visit to Northern Ireland with Ray Lavin
(Tuesday 9 August) A disturbing trend of Umpires constantly talking with players appears to have started amongst a small number of colleagues. I received Captains comments recently about two senior colleagues who during a recent game constantly engaged the players in conversation which resulted in a player dropping a very simply catch and then blaming the umpire because he had distracted him by his chatter. Colleagues are reminded of the adage "speak when you are spoken to" and striking up conversation with players should be discouraged. Discussions with players should be kept to the bare minimum and always remember that the best Umpires are seen and not heard!!!! (Mike Dixon).
(Monday 8 August) The latest extract from the L&DCC pitch and respect ratings is available on the L&DCC website (Alan Bristow)
(Sunday 31 July)
MCUA members enjoyed a splendid evening with the two umpires who had officiated at the Lancs match at Southport. Despite the match finishing early, Trevor Jesty and Steve Garratt came to Bootle CC and entertained us with their experiences on the first class county circuit. Each of them gave a short introduction to their umpiring career and then answered questions from the members. A number of colleagues have contacted us to say how much they enjoyed the evening, a great coup for MCUA. Thanks to Mike Jones for arranging the visit by the umpires (DJ)
(Monday 27 June) THE WEARING OF I-PODS
After careful consideration and following a period of experience and feedback from our colleagues, Merseyside Cricket Umpires Association have determined that all players, i.e. batsmen, bowlers and fielders, will not be allowed to wear i-pods whilst on the field of play in any match to which an MCUA member has been appointed, with immediate effect.

MCUA consider that the wearing of i-pods
       inhibits communication,
       could distract an opponent,
       is disrespectful to the umpire, the opposing team and importantly the game and Spirit of Cricket.

Any player entering the field of play whilst wearing an i-pod will be asked to remove it. Failure to do so will result in play being suspended until compliance. MCUA trust that such action will never require to be taken.
(Monday 13 June) Report from Jeremy Rowe - I recently attended a Merseyside & South West Lancashire Cricket Development Group meeting, when a matter was raised re umpiring young players.

It appears that there have been some instances of umpires not applying the ECB Guidelines with regard to minimum fielding distances for the age groups.

Members appointed to these games are reminded that, in addition to familiarising themselves with the general playing conditions, they should be prepared to intervene where necessary to ensure that the guidelines are adhered to.
(Monday 25 April) The regulations for the BFSKO Cup are quite clear about the restrictions on field placings during the first 15 overs of an innings. Regulation 8(e)(iv) says that .... only three fielders shall be permitted outside this fielding restriction area .... There is NO mention of a requirement for two close catchers. Ray Rigby has worked very hard to inform players and members of MCUA about the match regulations but amazingly some matches have been played with this extra restriction this season
 












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