FOUL-MOUTHED and abusive cricketers in the J P Mewies Craven & District Cricket League are being served notice that they need to mend their ways or they will be spending Saturday afternoons on the sidelines, (writes Tony Simpson).

Senior league officials and umpires have become very concerned this season at the increase in umpire abuse and the proliferation of four-letter language during games, much of it aimed at the men in charge.

Two Haworth players have recently completed two-match bans after being reported by an umpire and this week a Bradley player was also in the dock at the Three Links Club for a similar offence.

A letter to all clubs has been sent this week from the League Executive underlining that clubs should keep a close eye on the behaviour of their players and help to promote restraint and proper behaviour if they expect to have a full squad to select from.

Whereas the umpires have for a number of seasons had two meetings each year - both in the close season - to sort out their business, they are now meeting once a month and bouncing ideas and experiences off each other.

As a result, the conduct of teams and individuals is being much more closely monitored than ever before and the league is determined to back their umpires whenever offenders are identified.

League Secretary Trevor Coe is firmly of the view that the situation has deteriorated of late and that action should be taken.

"I think the monthly meeting of the umpires is very definitely a step forward and the numbers attending are good," he says. "On Saturdays, however, umpires are in very short supply and we don't have enough to man all the games we would like to.

"The obvious message is that we need to look after the people we have and we're determined to do that. The sooner players realise that the better it will be for all of us.

"We are not in the business of stopping players enjoying their sport, but it is important for the us to set a decent standard and stick to it."