A joint release issued late last night by the BCUA and the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control confirmed that an agreement had been struck between the president of the board Ed Bailey and the Bermuda Crickey Umpires Association, clearing the way for the new umpires group, the Bermuda Cricket Umpires Union, to have its members officiate in the eight Premier Division matches tomorrow.

"The Bermuda Cricket Umpires Association have withdrawn their assigned umpires for this weekend's matches,'' the release began.

"The president of the BCUA and the BBCC have struck an accord and that there will be further dialogue between them next week. The BCUA are doing this in the best interest of cricket and doing this should no way prejudice our future services to cricket.'' The BCUA will hold a meeting for its members on Monday night at BPSA headquarters, Angle Street, Hamilton starting at 7.30.

Meanwhile, an angry Bermuda Cricket Board of Control (BCBC) president Ed Bailey lashed out earlier in the evening at reports that the current umpires controversy could mar tomorrow's opening set of Premier League matches.

He also rebuked assertions that an ongoing rift existed between he and BCUA secretary Randy Butler.

"There will be umpires on the field on Sunday,'' said Bailey, a matter of factly. "I want to get cricket going and I have no time for these stupid things with the umpires that is being built up by the press.

"(Furthermore) I have no problems with Randy Butler and have never had any problems with Mr. Butler.

"I have supported him and have a very high regard for the man.'' Still, Bailey stood firm on the decision made by the BCBC to designate members of the newly created Bermuda Cricket Umpires Union (BCUU) for tomorrow's matches.

"The BCUA has a letter (from the BCBC) to say that their services are no longer required,'' he said. "The situation is such that we made certain demands and they failed to meet them.'' The two umpires groups looked to be on a collision course after both submitted their appointments for the weekend games to The Royal Gazette on Wednesday night.

Many clubs were still baffled as to what would happen come Sunday, with one club president describing the situation as "pathetic''.

A matter of concern was the fact that an agreement had been in place between the clubs and the BCUA with regard to payment for services rendered by the umpires and it was unknown what rates might be charged by the new body.

Some, though, appeared to be not overly concerned.

Said Somerset Bridge's skipper Robin Swan: "All I want is to have two umpires in the middle on Sunday. It's up to the umpires and the board (to settle their dispute), our (players') job is to play cricket.''