Bamford punished over no-play fixture

CRICKET:

BAMFORD Fieldhouse must pay a £75 forfeit, plus a fine of £25, for non-fulfilment of their fixture at Heyside on August 6.

The club have seven days in which to appeal against the league ruling.

The Saddleworth and District Cricket League executive committee also decided that Heyside, as has occurred in other cases of an unfulfilled fixture, should be awarded the average number of winning points in the division on that day.

The match was abandoned without a ball being bowled after the Bamford players left the Little Hey Street ground in a show of unity behind team-mate Simon Wright, who was told he was barred from the premises.

A league statement read: “The decision was taken after the league sought legal advice on the position of the Heyside club imposing the ban, which we were advised was within the law, for an indefinite period.

“We must make it clear that Simon Wright was not involved in any altercation at the ground on August 6, and the players of both clubs should be commended for the fact that relations between them on the cricket field are excellent with no animosity.

“Both clubs have been informed that the league will not tolerate the dispute to continue into season 2012, and have been informed that they must find some area of negotiation without delay.

“They have been told that the league want a response before the monthly league meeting on August 25.”

Wright was banned from attending the ground after an assault at the Saddleworth League dinner in 2008, and two other incidents at Heyside CC.

A court case followed the first episode when the ex-Crompton skipper admitted his guilt and displayed genuine remorse over his conduct against Anthony Winstanley and Joe Warburton, of Heyside CC.




LITTLEBOROUGH beat Walsden by two runs in an astonishing finish to the Burton Cup, the Lake Garage CLL’s knock-out competition for second X1s.



Boro were skittled for just 69, after being 25 for seven. Joe Gale took five for 16 and Josh Barnes four for 16. But Walsden were soon in trouble themselves on 21 for five and were eventually dismissed for a meagre 67.

Man-of-the-match Mo Bux added to his 27 with the bat with three for 21, while Matthew Collins took three for 23 and Brendan Miskella two for 13.

The CLL colts are through to the final of the Inter-League Trophy after beating the Bolton Association by 77 runs in their final group match.

After the CLL made 234 for six from their 45 overs, the Bolton Association were dismissed for 157, ex-Royton spinner Joe Lovell, now with Milnrow, taking five for 34.

The opposition and date for the final have still to be decided.