AFTER being the man appealing for dismissals for 37 years, Nick Westwell will now be the one making the decisions about them.

After calling it a day on his playing career last week, the bowler has decided to become an umpire.

And the 47-year-old has already had his first taste of it and admitted it was a strange experience.

"I was umpire in a seconds game Rawtenstall v Lowerhouse last weekend and I was more nervous than when I faced Allan Donald, the fastest bowler in the world, when he was playing for Rishton!

"I was terrified and felt everyone's eyes were on me and there was a bit of mickey taking but once it settled down I was okay. I gave one lbw decision and the lad admitted in the bar after I was right so I didn't feel too bad.

"I hope I get the respect as an umpire from my playing days and, so far, I am enjoying it!"

A knee injury has forced him to end his 37-year association with Church after being one of the main men at Blackburn Road.

He felt it after travelling to watch the Ashes in December and, between then and the summer, has been on various umpiring courses as he planned his future.

"I just decided I wanted to stay in the game and this is one way of doing it as it is a similar environment," said Westwell, who also works as a cricket development officer in Rossendale.

"But I don't expect I will get many Church games - especially the first team - that wouldn't be right.

"There will definitely be no comeback though as I have given all my gear to the young lads at the club.

"It was weird on Saturday, though, as my house looks onto Blackburn Road and, for around 37 years, I have been there warming up with them and being part of it. I had to close the blinds as it didn't seem right."

He has two games which stand out for him.

"I enjoyed the Worsley Cup final as even though we got beat by Ramsbottom, it was an honour to play in the final.

"And I took 4-23 which I was chuffed with and the game was in front of around 2000 people.

"I also remember when we finished runners-up a few years ago and we were playing Bacup. We were down and out and were being thrashed and suddenly we pulled it around.

"We celebrated like mad, there was 11 players running all over the field and I was gob-smacked. It was fantastic. If we had lost it we would have lost the second spot so it was nice to get it in the bag."

His most prized wicket - of his 778 - was Mark Waugh.

"The Austalian was sub-proing for East Lancs and I got him out for 15. Usually these type of players get 115 against me!"

And his best figures?

"It was 9-83 against Lowerhouse in 1983. I had an over to get the 10th as well but I got too nervous. I never usually get nervous at cricket but I just couldn't bowl it straight at all. It was going everywhere. I was pleased but also slightly disappointed!"

He has had to leave his Church team-mates behind but he is confident, despite a mixed start, they can go on and do well this season.

"There is a lot of talent there and, as long as the younger lads show dedication and listen to the older ones, I think they will do alright this season."

Church lost to Nelson on Saturday after making just 114 although bowlers Andrew Bentley and Ruven Peiris gave the Seedhill side a few scares in their three wicket win.

The pair were again in the wickets in Church's first win of the season over Haslingden on Sunday. They bowled the Bentgate side out for 124 and, although Church lost nine wickets in a nervous finish, an unbeaten 49 from Sri Lankan pro Peiris proved enough.

Enfield have had a stunning start to the new season with three wins out of three.

But it was another nervy game as they beat Haslingden by just one wicket on Saturday. Bernard Reidy was the Man of the Match with 8-42 while Andy Barker hit a valuable 54 to sneak Enfield past the target.

And, they saw off local rivals Rishton on Sunday with Bernard Reidy again in the wickets with four. A career-best 83 from Adam Bracewell and 57 from pro Brandon Hiini helped them to a six wicket win to keep Enfield among the early pacesetters.

But Andy Bartley's Rishton are still up there as Enfield was their first loss of the season. They bowled Ramsbottom out for 92 on Sunday with John Seedle claiming four wickets for just nine runs and paid man Saeed Anwar Junior hitting an unbeaten 51 in their comfortable eight wicket win.

Accrington are still on the hunt for their first win but have been involved in close games over the weekend. They made 230 against Colne with sub pro Mohammed Asif celebrating an unbeaten 114. But former Church pro Greg Mail saw Colne through thanks to his 132 not out.

On Sunday, they faced early leaders East Lancs and lost by just 10 runs. They had Clitheroe pro Michael Papps as their sub paid man and he took five wickets and made an unbeaten 103 but couldn't steer Accrington to victory. They are hoping Nishit Shetty will be here for this weekend's double header.