GRASSROOTS SHORTS

DURHAM Cricket Association of Cricket Officials is offering potential new umpires a final chance to attend a Stage Two education course.

The five-week virtual course will be the last opportunity to train and become a qualified umpire ahead of the 2021 season.

To attend one of the two courses candidates must have completed the umpire Stage One course either in person or via the virtual learning hub.

Two courses are available – one on Sundays starting on March 21 and another on Tuesdays from March 23.

For further information, contact Durham

ACO Education Officer Rene Grosvenor at ren_arlene@yahoo.co.uk. ■■DURHAM Wildcats have suffered a big blow in their bid to win promotion from the FA Women’s Championship.

They lost 2-0 to fellow promotion hopefuls Leicester City at Maiden Castle, Sam Tierney bagging both goals.

The two sides were locked on 38 points apiece at the top heading into the match but Tierney’s brace in the space of 13 second-half minutes saw the visitors claim three points.

■■THE draw has been made for the first round of the North East Midweek Cricket League’s Optimum Cup.

Ties, to be played in the week beginning April 26, are: Mitford v Eaga Old Boys, BelMontE Tigers v Eagles, Civil Service v Blue Flames, Hexham Leazes v Merz and McLellan, Newcastle Stars v West End, NE Tamils v Park House, NE4 v Oddfellows, W Bay Glow-Worm v SSBCC, Kirkwood v Eelam Boys, GEMS v AJK, Wylam v Matrics Barbarians, Northern Rangers v Cramlington and Kirkley v High Stables.

■■MATTY Longstaff has become Newcastle United Foundation’s newest ambassador.

The 20-year-old midfielder joins his brother and fellow Foundation ambassador Sean in promoting the work of the club charity.

Longstaff (pictured right) said:

“I am really excited to become an ambassador for the Foundation because they do such amazing work in the community.

“I have grown up here, so I know how important Newcastle United is to everyone and how passionate and tight-knit our communities are.

“The Foundation is a big part of that and can offer something for people of all ages.”