Bamford dumped out of Tanner Cup

HAPPIER TIMES: Bamford captain Paddy McKeown is pictured with Roger Tanner after the club’s 2011 Tanner Cup success.

CRICKET:

BAMFORD Fieldhouse have been thrown out of this season’s Tanner Cup and banned from the competition for the next three years.

The reigning champions are also set to face a special general meeting at which the other 13 member clubs will vote on their expulsion from the Saddleworth and District Cricket League.

The league’s executive committee has come down hard on Bamford following the club’s failure to show up for a rearranged first-round Tanner Cup tie at Droylsden.

Bamford was also hit with a £500 fine and must pay a forfeit of £75 to Droylsden.

Bamford chairman Andy Barton said last night the club will appeal.

A written complaint from Droylsden and reports from both umpires were considered by the league’s executive committee.

Bamford was due to play Droylsden in round one of the Tanner Cup on May 18. No play took place due to rain. Weather permitting, the game should have been played the following day, Sunday — the reserve day designated by the league.

But the favourites to win the knockout competition for the seventh time failed to turn up — instead playing Southport and Birkdale in an ECB National Cup game.

The team was unhappy at Droylsden’s effort to start play on the Saturday, knowing it would have meant continuing the game on Monday under league rules.

The league says the team’s second XI must take the place of the first team if it is unable to fulfil the fixture.

Bamford’s second team has also been disqualified from this season’s Moore Cup. The game has been awarded to Droylsden.