With just one more set of fixtures before the season ends it might be an appropriate time to ask the Cumbria Cricket League in general – anybody thinking of retiring?
Your county needs you is the first reply, and the second would be do you fancy taking up umpiring?
It might be stating the obvious, but it is an ageing population in white coats, and they are worryingly getting fewer.
Last week in the Cumbria League’s Premier Division two of the six games only had one official umpire standing and it goes without saying there’s an urgent need for new blood.
Meanwhile the season’s formalities were wrapped up last week with Carlisle winning handsomely at Workington to clinch their third successive title as they bid farewell to the League on their way to join the Northern League.
At the other end of the table Haverigg lost and Egremont won to condemn the south Cumbrians to First Division cricket next season.
Nobody is being promoted and with Carlisle leaving it will reduce the Premier Division to 10 teams and obviously make an 18-game season rather than a 22-match fixture list.
Nothing at stake then on Saturday, apart from enjoying one last hurrah before the bat, wickets and balls are put away for the autumn and winter.
It might have been interesting if Carlisle still needed to win to clinch the title as they end with a game at Keswick – the only team to beat them in the very first game of the season at Edenside.
Having lifted the Higson Cup, Michael Slack’s side completed the double and they had looked to be on course for the treble, too. They were playing the T20 final against Workington when rain interrupted and the match was abandoned.
There were hopes of trying to fit the replayed final into the schedule before the end of the season but that doesn’t seem to have been possible.
With Carlisle’s move to the Northern League the final is also unlikely to be replayed next season so the trophy appears as though it will be shared.
The remaining final day fixtures are: Cleator v Dalton; Cockermouth v Wigton; Furness v Whitehaven; Millom v Haverigg; Workington v Egremont.
