Shaw hit out at penalty verdict

CRICKET: SHAW Cricket Club are considering their future in the Saddleworth and District League.

The Holebottom Clough outfit were seething after the appeals panel, consisting of a committee member from Saddleworth, Stayley and Uppermill, rejected their plea for a three-point penalty to be overturned.

This means Friarmere will fill the final LCB Cup qualifying place — fifth spot in the table — with Shaw a point behind in sixth. However, both sides’ results from season 2011 are being checked for any unintentional errors.

Shaw were deducted three points after an objection was sent in by Friarmere with regard to the result of the last match of the season.

Adam Young-skippered Austerlands, who had lost four wickets, declared their innings with one ball remaining, handing Shaw a maximum of five bowling points instead of the two they had gained on the field.

The move left the hosts, captained by Adam’s older brother, Andy, needing two bonus batting points to guarantee a place in the top five. Shaw reached their target by scoring 125. They were eventually dismissed for 162.

In the initial hearing, the league’s executive committee ruled that, although Shaw were not guilty of any misdemeanour, they said the bonus points were not earned fairly, but gifted to them by the last-ball declaration.

Despite a “sincere” appeal from Shaw, the panel backed up the original verdict.

Shaw chairman Alan Campbell said: “We’re very angry about the decision and we’ll be holding a meeting next week to discuss our future in the league.

“We were told in a letter from the league that we not culpable, yet we are still docked three points. We’re flabbergasted.

“At the start of every season, we set out our prime objectives and one of them is to qualify for the LCB Cup and now that’s been taken away from us.”

Mark Stafford, president of Shaw, added: “Innuendo and gossip has won the day over hard facts and league rules, which makes no mention of any penalty if a team declares their innings.”

Adam Young originally received a four-game ban for contravening the spirit of cricket — the Austerlands skipper denies this — but it was reduced to a two-game suspension on appeal.

He does regret the timing of the declaration, but vehemently refutes claims of a plot.

Young: “I am disappointed with the outcome as mine was the sole case highlighted on a day when there were other incidents of breaching the spirit of cricket.

“I just want to put it to bed now.”