Fingers crossed the domestic cricket season will conclude on Sunday with the promotion/relegation play-off, bringing the curtain down on what has been a thoroughly entertaining summer. Without doubt however the real work looks set to start off the field as soon as the covers have been rolled away because despite its success, this season has provided just as many questions as answers.

I know some will have their own thoughts but on a personal note the North West Warriors are completely exempt from any criticism. We knew what Bobby Rao, Ian McGregor, the players, selectors and back room team were setting out to do and only phase 1 of the journey has been concluded. It is a work in progress and the full Ireland caps handed to Andy McBrine and Craig Young this week must surely let everyone see that something good is happening.

Rather than any negativity, what we must do now is ensure that the Warriors winter academy becomes a reality because we need to build on a difficult first season and we need to let the world see us doing it. THAT more than anything else is what this series was supposed to be about and the first shoots have already started to show. Kudos to all of those who have worked so hard in the Interprovincial set-up this year and we look forward to progressing in 2014.

Things have been different at club level as we all know but here the situation requires detailed consideration. I would just like to clarify one thing though and that is that the North West "Think Tank" - which usually gets the blame when something doesn't work- was disbanded more than a year ago. The Think Tank set up a number of committees to run the game here and those committees- Board of Control, Operations, Development and Finance are now run by people from within the Union. Rightly or wrongly it is they who make the decisions, not the Think Tank and they are fully aware that some of the changes introduced this season haven't really worked.

The league restructuring is one such example and it has been apparent for some time that 12 team Intermediate leagues needs a re-think. The committee initially took on board that some teams had complained about not enough cricket in the past but it is clear now that 12 is too many. Expect a proposal for a return to 8-10 team divisions with T20 replays available in all the leagues ahead of next season. On a similar note, doing away with timescales for replays hasn't worked either.

Going into the final weekend of the season there are still some teams with three matches to play and that simply isn't good enough. All replays surely have to happen within a certain period of time or else they're gone- simple as that.

That said the clubs themselves have to take a share of the blame for the fixture melee given that several have entered second, third or fourth teams without enough available players to cover the quota. It is difficult to remember a season when there have been so many "no shows" and the Union needs to address that issue as well. Clubs now seem intent on entering teams in the Qualifying Leagues without any idea of how to source the players for them.

One of the suggestions likely to be put forward ahead of next season is that all league cricket is scheduled for a Saturday meaning that clubs can no longer rely on the same pool of players for different teams. That isn't what the starring process was brought in for. Surely it's a simple mathematical equation that if you don't have a minimum of 22 players you don't enter two teams or 33 for three teams and so on.

The umpires haven't escaped either and the Board of Control has asked for an evaluation of the current process for training, appointing and assessing officials. It is widely believed that the BOC is keen to promote the qualification process for the men in white and will be recommending that the North West introduces an elite panel of umpires from 2014.

Those who have already completed the required examinations will be assessed for inclusion on the elite panel while those who haven't will be given every assistance to do so. It goes without saying that our umpires do a very difficult job for little reward however the BOC is keen to see the best possible service provided to their clubs and they see this as very much part of that process.

All in all there is plenty to be done as the nights shorten but the important thing is that everybody buys into the discussion process. Anyone who has a workable suggestion is more than welcome to pass it on- there are plenty of people involved in the various committees and any of them will be more than happy to put your thoughts on the table. That way is much better than just complaining when something doesn't work. Oh ... and a bowl out to decide our senior cup competition? Maybe need to hit the F5 button on that one as well.

Finally for now we have a notable landmark this week as the McBrine boys, James and Junior celebrate their 50th birthdays. Seldom can two people have epitomised North West cricket more than the twins and they have won everything you can win during their 35 years in the senior game. To their credit, not only are they still going strong but they are as keen to win today as they have ever been. Congratulations to both and enjoy the celebrations.