Discipline a concern

AT their end-of-season meeting at Sale, the Cheshire League Umpires & Scorers Association expressed concern about declining discipline.

Chairman, Ian Greensmith, said: “Since the meeting, Association officers have had good feedback and we will continue to investigate ways to achieve more consistency among our members because players’ behaviour which is acceptable for some is clearly not for others.

“There is no doubt that discipline generally has deteriorated and Premier League clubs who normally have the better umpires controlling their games, are the biggest offenders. Not out rulings are, in too many cases, being questioned and while I would not want to go down the route of some leagues when umpires will not respond to appeals other than to say ‘not out’, we will be forced down that route if matters do not improve.”