Todmorden CC skipper Andrew Sutcliffe believes clubs and officials may need to take another look at the rules after his side fell foul of the weather last weekend.
The Lancashire League season is only one game old but Todmorden have already lost ground on some sides through no fault of their own after Sunday’s game at Rawtenstall was the only one in the league not to start.
Games at Bacup and Ramsbotom eventually fell to the weather but Accrington, Burnley, East Lancashire and Lowerhouse all won to steal a match on the Centre Vale Park side and their intended hosts.
Light drizzle up to 5pm meant the Rawtenstall contest perished and a frustrated Sutcliffe said: “For us to get a no result was a killer because four games finished which means we don’t get to replay the game.
“The rules really do need looking at. It wasn’t the umpires’ fault on the day as they were invoking the Lancashire League laws. I just hope that the same was done throughout the entire League.”
It means Tod are keen to get a first win on the board at home to Accrington on Sunday. Sutcliffe has a full complement of players but he knows the visitors will be tough nuts to crack.
“Accrington are a really strong side who beat the reigning champions (Lowerhouse) last week in the Ron Singleton Trophy,” he said.
The visitors have a settled side under ex-England A player Graham Lloyd with the same pro as last year, Ashar Zaida, while Tod have made changes. However, Sutcliffe said he was still confident of getting a positive result on Sunday.
At least Tod did get some action last Saturday when they beat Bacup in a home friendly.
The visitors were dismissed for 128 with the wickets shared between five bowlers. Tod chased down the total for the loss of two wickets with Simon Newbitt making 60 and Geeth Alwis 30 not out.
Sri Lankan Alwis is making a good impression, according to Sutcliffe. “He is a really nice guy who is fitting into the dressing room well,” he said.