Another Counties boycott looms

Southampton Rangers could boycott this summer’s Western Counties competition in protest.

The BELCO Cup champions are up in arms over having this year’s series played at Somerset Cricket Club.

Earlier this month the majority of Western Counties Cricket Association members voted in favour of staging the series at the West End sports facility.

But Rangers was among those that rejected the proposal on the grounds that it would be “unconstitutional” to do so as Somerset is not affiliated with the WCCA.

Rangers’ president Randy Raynor added to growing speculation that his club could potentially boycott this year’s competition in protest. He said: “We may have to look elsewhere to provide good entertainment for our fans and other fans on that day. Something is on the cards.”

Unhappy

Raynor said his club also hasn’t ruled out taking legal action to try and resolve the controversy.

“I would like for it not to have to go to court. But if it has to then we just may have to seek avenues through that means.

“PHC are not too happy about the situation either, and I have been talking to some of their Western Counties representatives. They are very unhappy.”

Gary Dowling, WCCA president, confirmed that this year’s competition will be held at Somerset, but declined to respond to allegations that his association breached its own constitution to enable matches to be played at the venue of a non-affiliated club.

“We just put it (proposal) to the clubs and they agreed on it,” he told the Bermuda Sun.

As it currently stands White Hill Field and Southampton Oval are the only venues eligible to host Western Counties matches.

However, White Hill Field is unavailable to play host this year because of logistical challenges, while a proposal to have Southampton Oval stage the competition fell on death ears.

It had also been proposed to have the series played at PHC’s field. But upon inspection the champion’s Warwick venue, which is still under renovation, was declared unfit, leaving WCCA members to vote on yet another proposal to have the competition played at Somerset instead.

Despite attempts by the WCCA to revive the competition the annual series involving PHC, Willow Cuts, Somerset Bridge, Warwick, PHC and Rangers has lost some of its appeal in recent years.

Fans

However, association president Dowling reckons having matches played at Somerset could encourage more fans to come out in support.

“We are taking the game to Somerset so we can enhance the Western Counties. We are trying to raise the competition’s profile by trying something different.”

Another change this year will see Western Counties teams permitted to select as many as four guest players instead of only two, providing they reside within the specified county boundaries.

Champions PHC will begin their title defence in the first round against Warwick June 18.

The eventual first round winner will face Willow Cuts in the second round on July 2, with the winner of that match to meet Somerset Bridge on July 9.

Rangers have been drawn in the final round to take place August 6. All matches are 50 over affairs.

Last year St David’s boycotted the Eastern Counties because of a number of issues including Bailey’s Bay getting to host the event for a second straight year.