THE Feversham League appears to be lurching from one crisis to another at present - albeit not of its own making.

The first piece of bad news came pre-season at the league’s annual general meeting where the withdrawal of Duncombe Park was confirmed. Nevertheless, the four remaining clubs pledged their loyalty so the season began.

Bad weather then meant the scheduled Gillamoor versus Spout House and Slingsby versus High Farndale fixtures had to be postponed.

And worse followed as High Farndale were forced to concede their away match at Gillamoor as they could not raise a team.

Furthermore, not only have Spout House had difficulty bringing their ground up to an acceptable standard, but they have also seen a key man suffer multiple injuries in a freak accident.

The first problem was a troublesome drain at the east side. Without the club being consulted, a shallow ditch had been dug in front of the boundary wall along its full length.

While members were pondering on how to deal with it, they learned that veteran batsman Paul Donaldson, who had planned to roll the wicket with a borrowed roller, had suffered multiple injuries - three broken ribs, two broken collarbones, a broken breast bone and a back injury, when a trench in which he was working collapsed on him.

He is recovering well and has returned home from hospital, though playing cricket this season seems be out of the question.

Then, when some league cricket was finally played, Spout House suffered another freak injury - Richard Parker breaking an ankle when fielding, meaning their match against Slingsby was abandoned.

The game, because of Spout House’s ground problems, which now appear to have been resolved, was transferred to Slingsby’s venue.

Spout House batted first and in their 16 overs accumulated 70-6.

Charlie Allott (12) and Barry Wheldon (11) put on 21 for the first wicket, but Dan Medd provided the cornerstone of the innings with a responsible knock of 27.

Frazer Land took 3-16 and Slingsby captain Ben Corner’s accurate four-over spell brought figures of 2-4.

Veteran left-arm spinner John Hatfield failed to take a wicket, conceded 24 runs in his four overs, and was mortified to have two chances put down on the boundary.

Slingsby openers P Hogarth (11) and Toby Wrightson (10) also had 21 on the board before being parted.

M Fraser’s 19 seemed to have given Slingsby the edge, but young Tom Atkinson (2-8) put things back on an even keel.

Then in the 12th over, with Slingsby 49-5, calamity struck.

Parker, who had earlier picked up a wicket at the cost of 13 runs, chased a ball to the boundary, went over on his ankle and broke it.

The match was immediately abandoned, with Parker later going by ambulance to York Hospital.

Feversham League secretary Charles Allenby has passed on the league’s best wishes to both injury victims.