WHAT a contrast in days weather-wise we had over the weekend.

On Saturday it was a case of umpires, scorers and players requiring as many layers as possible to survive the cold as being out there was not pleasant, whereas Sunday dawned bright and warm and it was a pleasure to be out there playing, umpiring or scoring.

My game saw more than 400 runs scored with a fine century from deputy professional Akbar Rehman, whose shot selection was good to watch.

While that was the first century of the season for me, I will probably remember the game for a couple of other things – besides the cold.

Firstly, it was nice to see both Walkden and Tonge give some youngsters a chance to bowl.

Too often a youngster fields on the boundary and bats number 11 but neither teams did this – they were involved early on. Giving youngsters a chance gives them a sense of purpose and a desire to be involved in the first team so well done to both sides for giving them a chance.

In giving these youngsters a bowl, unusual things can happen.

A ball bounced twice before reaching the popping crease and apart from a comment “you’re not in the under-15s now” by a fellow player, nothing else was said and a no-ball was not called for.

It’s not only in grassroots cricket where this happens, though.

The Black Caps captain, Kane Williamson, bowled a ball that bounced twice in a Test between New Zealand and South Africa.

The commentators, ex-Test players, insisted a no-ball should have been called until the law was read to them.

A ball bouncing more than twice before reaching the popping crease is to be called no-ball – not twice but more than twice. Then it happened in the Australia and India Test series, so if this happens to you don’t be discouraged as even the best players can do it.

What amazed me was the fact the so-called expert commentators didn’t know.

Another memorable aspect from my game was the sportsmanship shown by the close fielders for Walkden, where the umpire was prepared to give a young batsman out, run-out.

Both said the batsman wasn’t out as their own keeper had knocked a bail off in a split second before receiving the ball. Thanks guys, that was good to see.