Ovington Cricket Club teenager David Cole was by no means stumped when he took the umpires' part one paper, writes John Parkin.

Instead, he ran out to achieve the highest mark - 94 per cent - of anyone in the country, to win the Tom Smith's award for the best results in the Association of Cricket Umpires and Scorers examination.

The 18-year-old, from Holgate, picked up his award at the ACUAS annual meeting at Edgbaston, home of Warwickshire County Cricket Club.

The 90-minute written exam tests knowledge of the 42 laws of cricket and Cole's result puts him well on the way to becoming a fully-fledged umpire.

To do that, he must now pass a part two written exam - a more in-depth look at the laws - and an oral exam, to be followed by experience in the centre.

Stamford Bridge have taken over the Aldby Park fixtures in division one of the Horwath Pulleyn Heselton York Vale Cricket League following an amalgamation of the clubs.

Their home games will be on the Aldby ground at Buttercrambe and start the season tomorrow with a game against Stockton and Hopgrove.

Newly-elected Escrick Park and Hirst United both make their debut in division three and face each other on the opening day of the season. Tollerton are the other new team and will open their account in division four.

CGU, who are now known as Norwich Union, will continue to play at the York University where their splendid new pavilion has just been completed.

Burton Salmon's new ground is ready for the new Season but Stockton and Hopgrove must wait another year before moving onto their new home.

To date , only two clubs - Thixendale and Stillingfleet - are directly affected by the foot and mouth crisis and both have made alternative arrangements to accommodate home games.

Main League sponsors, Horwath Pulleyn Heselton continue to provide support for the league. Malton-based builders Scothern Construction have stepped in to provide sponsorship of the former Prendergast Cup and offering cash incentives for ground improvements.

League president Guy Mitchell continues to support his own trophy something he has now done for 20 years.

While league rules are largely unaltered the Laws of Cricket have undergone considerable changes. Details of how they affect the League appear in the league handbook and on the leagues web-site on www.communigate.co.uk/york/york valecricket/index.phtml

Updated: 12:22 Friday, April 27, 2001