When I realised my playing days
were coming to an end, due to
a persistent back injury, I had a
big decision to make. Shopping,
gardening or either scoring or
umpiring. The fi rst two were
defi nite non-starters. I’d already
been the Sandford scorer from
about age 11 unti l I was 16,
before becoming a regular
member of Sandford’s Mens’
team.
However, umpiring appealed
to me, no pun intended. I was 49, and so I made enquiries about being an
Umpire. Being the type of person I am though, I just didn’t want to be any
old umpire, I wanted more. I wanted to see how far I could progress up the
umpiring ladder.
My fi rst full season in 2003 started well. By halfway through the season, the
then Umpires’ Appointments Offi cer, John Gauler, asked me if I would like
to umpire a couple of Premier Division games. My fi rst Premier game was
Bovey Tracey v Barton, a game full of plenty of big characters, as well as good
cricketers.
The next two seasons went well. I became a regular Premier Division umpire,
and I also managed to pass all my ACU&S exams. I was prepared to do any
game to try and get myself noti ced in higher umpiring circles. I umpired
Devon Ladies when the current England’s Womens’ captain, Heather Knight,
opened the batti ng and scored a century for Devon.
In 2006, having spoken to the late Geoff Evans, the Devon and Minor
Counti es Secretary, and Bobby Dawson, the Devon Captain, asking for their
support, I applied to join the Minor Counti es Umpires panel. Luckily for me
my applicati on was accepted.
Following the demise of ACU&S, and the rise of ECBACO, litt le did I know it,
but for me things were about to get even bett er. This transiti on, although not
necessarily popular with everyone at that ti me, gave me the opportunity to
offi ciate in County 2nd XI games, something I had really wanted to do, but
coming from Devon, the opportunity to do so was not available to me under
ACU&S. BUCS University games, as well as games in both the Nati onal Club
T20 and 50 Over Competi ti ons also became available.
Big games were also about to follow. The fi rst was the Over 50’s Final in 2008
on the Nursery Ground at Lord’s. Lord’s – a dream come true, albeit on the
Nursery Ground.
However, the biggest highlight followed in 2010 when I was invited to be
one of the four umpires chosen for the Club T20 Finals day at the Rose Bowl,
Southampton, which was shown live on Sky Sports. I umpired the fi rst Semi-
Final and the Final.
A University Final in 2011, between Cambridge and Cardiff at Wormsley was
another highlight. Three great games to be appointed for on such superb
cricketi ng venues.
As an umpire, I have enjoyed meeti ng so many diff erent players, coaches,
fellow umpires and scorers over the past 15 years. Many of those I’ve met
have been current fi rst class players, as well as Test players, ex-fi rst class
players and numerous fi rst class umpires.
Having umpired Somerset 2nds quite a lot over the last 10 years, it has been
wonderful as a Devon umpire to see the likes of Lewis Gregory, Dominic Bess,
and the Overton twins break into the professional game, and seen them
enjoy the success they have.
It has also been very humbling for someone like myself, to offi ciate in
games way above the standard I ever played in myself. I would like to say a
big thankyou to all the Minor Counti es teams I have offi ciated, and all the
Somerset players and coaching staff , as well as visiti ng teams, who always
showed me the utmost respect.
Deciding to be an umpire has been one of the most rewarding decisions
I have ever made in my life. I always tried to do my best, and having now
reti red, feel I can look back on my umpiring career with much pride, together
with some great memories.
Phil Matt en
Decision Time – Scoring Or Umpiring By Phil Matt en
37