THE Dales Council Umpires' Association have built a reputation that goes beyond the boundaries of their league and one of the reasons is their chairman and appointments secretary Steve Wilkes.

Speaking at the umpires' annual meeting at Pudsey Congs, Wilkes outlined how difficult their job can be on the pitch.

"You have to have the knowledge of the laws, make decisions, answer questions, be part-weatherman, part groundsman, meet the scorers (where possible) and make correct signals," he said.

"Then there is the importance of decision making – lbws, wides, no balls, leg byes, short runs, boundaries, bat-pad catches, caught behinds and other catches (did it carry?).

"There is also giving a batsman a guard – one leg or two (middle and leg) – watching the crease (not the bat or stumps) in the case of a close run-out or stumping as your peripheral vision will show you the wicket being broken.

"Then there is the weather – wet pitch, showery conditions, lightning (should we come off or do we wear a pair of wellies?)."

Wilkes added: "The qualifications for an umpire, according to Tom Smith's Cricket Umpiring and Scoring, are: Concentration, good eyesight, good hearing, being physically fit, being mentally fit (to withstand constant appealing and be strong enough to maintain composure under duress from either players or spectators), have a sense of humour, firmness, humility, fairness, impartiality, man-management skills – the list is endless.

"The league had 300-plus league games, plus all of the rounds of the cups, and only one match didn't have at least one umpire and that was probably down to a misunderstanding.

"Once again you have astounded me by the commitment and by the contribution you have given this season.

"The commitment and loyalty is more than first-class and we have been told by several players and by officials from other leagues that we have the best umpires throughout Yorkshire.

"We have so much tradition and respect for our league because of the great cricketers that started out in our league – Derek Best, Bryan Tearle, Mick Edwards and, of course, Colin White of Shipley Providence, and many more.

"I would like to add a special thanks to Ken Firth (results and fixtures secretary, who is retiring) – he is the league – to our treasurer Mick Edwards for keeping a tight rein on our coffers and to our secretary Colin White.

"I don't know how he does it but long may he continue to be our captain of our Band of Brothers."

White, in his secretary's report, said: "Groundsmen and council staff work their socks off preparing grounds and pitches ready for the weekend.

"But how much of this is appreciated by players who turn up expecting Test-match conditions and harass umpires because they deem conditions not suitable to start play or continue play?"

Bryan Tearle, who took up umpiring over 30 years ago, won the Geoff Cope Trophy, while Mick Edwards was made a life vice-president.

Officers elected: President, Bryan Tearle; chairman & appointments secretary, Steve Wilkes; vice-president, Keith Dibb; vice-chairman, Trevor Heylings; secretary, Colin White; treasurer, Mick Edwards; league delegate, Paul Whiteley. Committee: President, chairman, vice-chairman, secretary, treasurer, Dave McDermott, Bill Hughes, Alan Kaunz.