For the betterment of cricket, the players and the league, sort it out.
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That's the message from Emu Valley Cricket Association players to the league's board and umpiring body.
Saturday's round of EVCA matches was completed without official umpires after the dispute between the league's board and the Emu Valley Cricket Umpires Association was not resolved prior to play.
Last week the EVCA board withdrew the EVCUA's services after the body failed to pay a $100 fine for not attending a league meeting.
An EVCA club paid the $100 fine for the EVCUA and the EVCA board reinstated the umpires.
However, EVCUA boss Tony O'Connell declined the payment offer from the third party and the umpires refused to officiate until the EVCA board changed some umpire-related league by-laws, including the board's ability to fine the umpires.
Read more: EVCA and EVCUA in dispute over $100 fine
Read more: Umpires reject third party payment
Saturday's matches were officiated by club umpires - predominantly players participating in matches.
In terms of division one matches there were no issues or arguments surrounding decisions, but it's not a situation some of the EVCA's premier players want to see again next Saturday.
"We didn't have any issues,'' United skipper Harry Whittle said of the Tigers' match with California Gully.
"It's unfortunate the umpires aren't out on the ground doing their job.
"The players don't want to umpire. The umpires are there to run the game for us and it takes the stress away from the players.
"It fees like it's not real cricket if you have to umpire your own game.
"Hopefully, the umpires come back as quickly as they can."
Spring Gully captain Alex Sutton echoed Whittle's thoughts.
"We managed the day okay, but it certainly wasn't ideal,'' Sutton said.
"Maybe the club presidents can get together and help resolve the situation, otherwise this could go until Christmas, which would be disappointing.
"We were fortunate today that most of the games were one-sided. You don't want to see a situation where a decision from a volunteer club umpire affects the outcome of a big game."
Former Emu Creek player Rod Southon, who is an umpire with the EVCUA, volunteered his services to umpire for the club on Saturday.
"With Rod umpiring it was like a normal game for us,'' Emu Creek skipper Simon Marwood said.
"We'd still like to see this sorted out as quickly as possible.
"It's not good for the players or the league."
EVCA president Ron Gray said the league would have further discussions this week about the umpiring situation.
EVCUA boss Tony O'Connell said his body had no plans to return until the dispute was resolved.
"Nothing has changed in our mind,'' O'Connell said.
"We're waiting to see what the EVCA does now. We're not going to let it go.
"All of our members are in agreement that we need the by-laws changed.
"If we just go back and umpire we've achieved nothing. They (the EVCA) will find a way to fine us again and we'll be back to square one."
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