Umpires are considering boycotting tomorrow's 13th round of Premier League cricket matches, the Royal Gazette understands.

At loggerheads with the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control over a recent disciplinary matter involving Willow Cuts players, the Bermuda Cricket Umpires Association met with board officials on Thursday evening in a bid to settle the dispute which has affected the relationship between the two bodies.

Umpires Wilbur Pitcher and Maxwell Curtis were involved in incidents with members of the Willow Cuts team and submitted reports to the board.

Charges which were brought were later dismissed by the board when the umpires failed to show up for the hearing. Their argument was that they were informed at short notice and the umpires have been further frustrated by what they see as a general lack of support by the BCBC in their bid to stamp out bad behaviour by players.

Still not happy the conflict with the board is being resolved, the Royal Gazette has been reliably informed that the umpires are considering withdrawing their services from tomorrow's games, leaving the clubs to fend for themselves.

Regularly the BCUA submit a list of umpire assignments for publication, but yesterday the only appoitments coming in were for today's two matches, the Western Counties at White Hill and the Junior Eastern Counties at St. David's.

Attempts to reach BCUA president Wilbur Pitcher and vice president Lester Harnett were unsuccessful yesterday.

Vital games are scheduled as leaders Southampton Rangers try to win their first title in 19 years.

Rangers are away to Somerset Bridge at White Hill field, while contenders St.

David's and Western Stars meet at Lord's.

Bailey's Bay and Willow Cuts will duel at Sea Breeze Oval in their quest for Camel Cup places for next season while Flatts entertain St. George's at Devonshire Rec. In other matches PHC take on Police at Police field and Cleveland entertain Devonshire at Wellington Oval.

James Pace has taken over the captaincy of challengers PHC for today's Western Counties third round clash against champions Southampton Rangers at White Hill (11.00) Pace, who rejoined PHC this season as player-coach, takes over from Kallan Johnston who started the season as captain.

Yesterday, Pace declined comment on the captaincy switch and the team's prospects against favourites Rangers who dismissed PHC for 53 last year and 59 the year before as PHC marked their return to the competition with two heavy defeats.

Again PHC have exercised their right to field two guest players, going again with Western Stars spinner Hasan Durham and Bailey's Bay opening batsman Ricky Hill, who has been inactive in recent weeks because of a dispute within his own team.

PHC have made two changes from last year's team which lost by 129 runs, with Pace and Ty Williams coming in to replace Braxton Stowe and Antoine Greene.

Rangers, with Janeiro Tucker, Kwame Tucker and guest player Dexter Smith all returning to their team after missing the second round match against Willow Cuts, look a formidable team.

Certainly they are not taking PHC lightly as they chase the league, Counties and Champion of Champions treble.

Teams Southampton: Olin Jones, Janeiro Tucker, Keith Wainwright, Clevie Wade, Kwame Tucker, Ryan Belboda, Michael Brangman, Garry Williams, Carl Garzette, Dexter Smith, Clarkie Trott. Res: Kamen Tucker, Roland Rhones, Ian Armstrong PHC: James Pace, Kallan Johnston, Cal Waldron, Kevin Dill, Mark Smith, Arthur Richards, Shoron Hunt, Neil Anglin, Ty Williams, Ricky Hill, Hasan Durham.

Res: Ellsworth Bean, Kenny Mills, Jesse Belboda.

Guest outing: Western Stars' spinner Hasan Durham