A COMPLAINT by Yorkshire Academy coach Steve Oldham to the Yorkshire Oxbridge ECB County Premier Cricket League about a crucial umpiring decision has been rejected.

Oldham registered his fierce disapproval of the umpires for bringing the Sheffield United and Academy players off when batsmen and fielders were dazzled by the setting sun at Bawtry Road, Sheffield on June 24.

He was frustrated by the decision when the Academy, who scored 249 for 9, were in a strong position and seemed likely to beat United, who were struggling on 174 for 8 before the controversial decision.

But the umpires, G Wood and J Millard, were backed by the league this week.

The league is also considering the case of the Barnsley v Scarborough game on June 23 when Scarborough travelled to Shaw Lane only to find that the ground had been booked for a junior league game.

The fixture was ordered to be replayed on August 5 or 12, although Scarborough skipper Mark Cowell felt his side might be put at a disadvantage if the re-arranged game is affected by adverse weather.

He has asked that the decision be amended in case the game cannot be played in its entirety as would have been the case had it gone ahead on the original date on June 23.

Against a bottom of the league side, Scarborough would have expected to push for a maximum eight points rather than three if the replay becomes subject to bad weather.

Meanwhile, Scarborough enjoy home advantage and an unchanged side against the Yorkshire Academy tomorrow with both sides battling it out for third place in the league each going into the game level on 71pts each.

York are at home to Driffield tomorrow with Dave Catlow and Tom Pringle coming in for Greg How and Ben Quick.

However, Quick returns for York's trip to North Marine Road on Sunday to face Scarborough as Pringle will be on a Southern Counties tour with Yorkshire Under 15s, who have matches against Essex and Hertfordshire.

Updated: 12:27 Friday, July 27, 2001