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The men in white coats are coming to cricket
Cricket might still seem a million miles away in the current cold climate but cricket umpires are already getting out their white coats, sharpening pencils and making sure their counters add up to six in readiness for the 2009 cricket season!
50 years and still going strong
This is a special season for members of the Pembrokeshire Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers because it is 50 years since the association’s inception and it continues to organise umpires for Divisions One and Two of the Pembroke County Cricket League – and is always looking to encourage other would-be officials to swell their numbers as Training Officer Trefor Evans and his lieutenant Richard Merriman take would-be officials through an interesting course that leads to a qualification so that former players or enthusiasts for the game can get involved. This year saw new recruits pass out so that they can don the white coat, initially being paired with a senior umpire and being encouraged to learn as they go along.
Trefor Evans certainly takes an active role since he is also the Hon Treasurer of PACUS and the current chairman of the Pembroke County Cricket Club, does lots of work for his home club Whitland – and still finds time to officiate at several matches a week where he puts his calm, unflappable manner to good use!
New breed of younger officials breaking into the ranks
Richard Merriman is one of the new breed of younger officials breaking through and his winter fitness regime has seen him lose a massive six stone in weight so he is sure to be even sharper off the mark this season than last. He is just taking over the role of chairman after three years as vice-chairman to Bill Carne, who is full of praise for the support provided by all the committee members in his stint at the helm.
Longest-serving member stands down
Also retiring is Stan Richards, the president of the association, who is certainly the longest-serving member of PACUS and just completing a remarkable second stint as president. In fact, had he been willing to stand for a third term there are few officials who wouldn’t want him to continue but Stan insists that it is time he stepped down and spent a little more time with his wife Doris, who is still the No 1 lady of Pembrokeshire Cricket! The Association is lucky, however, in having John Williams to stand for a three year term because he represents all that is good in cricket umpiring with his wealth of experience that includes officiating at Minor Counties and Glamorgan 2nds matches.
Les Hastings continues in his long-serving role as Hon Secretary and as well as taking minutes at meetings and looking after the many administrative tasks is charged with the job of allocating Saturday league matches to umpires, always making sure that they have their lists at the start of the campaign and midway through the season so they can gain permission from their better halves well in advance! Les was rightly made a life member a while ago for his long and unstinting service and long may he continue to run the association!
Dai Morris is the Assistant Secretary and his work revolves around supplying umpires for ALL cup matches in the county and his work becomes arduous when there is bad weather since he has to face a back-log of fixtures that need a great deal of manipulation to cover every game with neutral officials.
Experienced umpires are real characters
Supporting these officials is a committee which comprises Ray Kane, who has sadly just announced his retirement from umpiring, Alan Hansen, the new vice-chairman, Hilliard Davies, Denis Chiffi and Dave Brandon, an ‘import’ from Lancashire who has just completed his second spell in India as one of the umpires in the 20/20 league that is so hugely popular there!
Other experienced umpires include real characters like Phil Marsden, who seems to have more energy and enthusiasm for the game than people half his age, Tony Scourfield, Peter Perry, Walter Dash, Fred Hatton, Barry Wood, Glyn Pawlett and John Austin, with the younger breed of umpires including Rob Bellerby, Steve Blowes and Gelly James.
Also pleasing to note is the fact that there are several qualified and practising scorers in Wendy Bradshaw and Pat Williams (St Ishmaels), Joy James (Hook), Rose Jenkins (Kilgetty), Janice Webb (Whitland) and Joe Dring (Lawrenny) – all contributing well to the cricketing cause alongside the umpires who make sure that matches can go ahead through their dedication and commitment!
** Do you know what an Umpire should have with him when he takes the field to officiate a match? There are NINE items so try and use commonsense to work it out before you look at the list below!
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Counters for each ball in the over.
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A watch – for each umpire – to keep control over the run rate.
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Pencil and paper – to count the number of overs per bowler.
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The Laws of Cricket – in a small booklet form to check in a crisis.
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Specific competition or league regulations.
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Ball – and at least one spare one in case it gets lost in a hedge or goes out of shape.
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Bails – Two and a spare one in case one breaks. (Many umpires carry their own heavier set for windy conditions!)
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Bowlers run-up marker – in case they are not supplied.
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Drying material – in case of damp conditions.
How many did you get – be honest now – and now contact Trefor Evans on 01994 240516 so that you can enlist as an umpire!
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