Counties dispute goes to lawyers

St David’s County Cricket Club has taken legal steps to resolve a fresh dispute with the Eastern Counties Cricket Association.

The islanders are presently awaiting recommendations from an attorney concerning the sanctions imposed on them by the ECCA.

The ECCA fined St David’s an undisclosed percentage of their share of revenue from this summer’s Eastern Counties competition and placed them on two years probation for boycotting last year’s series at Sea Breeze Oval.

It is also understood that the ECCA has demanded a formal apology from St David’s for allegedly making scathing remarks about them in the press.

The islanders had sanctions imposed against them just days after the presidents of the four respective ECCA clubs and ECCA president Harold Millett “signed off” on an agreement reached during arbitration hearings.

Yet despite accepting the conditions agreed upon during mediation it is understood that St David’s still do not acknowledge the ECCA as “legal guardians” of the popular Eastern Counties competition and have apparently “ignored” the sanctions imposed against them.

According to reliable sources the islanders have retained legal counsel and are expected to announce whether or not they intend to resume playing in the Eastern Counties competition or make their venue available for this year’s series by June 16.

St David’s president Aaron Lugo could not be reached while ECCA president Millett declined to comment.

Lugo is a nephew of Millett who holds honourary status at St David’s.

Still, relations between St David’s and the ECCA in recent times have been sour at best and last year saw the situation take another turn for the worst as the islanders relinquished their crown and withdrew from the competition in protest of wide-ranging differences with the ECCA.

While St David’s may be upset over the sanctions imposed against them, there are those who feel the ECCA have been far too lenient on them.

Some claim the islanders escaped with what amounts to little more than a “slap on the wrist” for allegedly bringing the popular competition into disrepute by way of boycotting.

But it is understood the ECCA believe that it’s in the competition’s “best interest” to have all of its respective members represented this year.

A provisional schedule will see cup holders Cleveland County begin their title defence against Bailey’s Bay in the first round July 16 at Lords.

Flatt’s will then face the eventual winner in the second round August 13, with the winner of that match to clash with St David’s in the final round to be held August 27.

In other cricket news, the national team T20 series will be played on Wednesday, June 8 (tonight); Thursday, June 9; Saturday, June 11; and Tuesday, June 14.  All matches will be played at the National Sports Centre. Stephen Outerbridge will captain the Blue Team and Rodney Trott will skipper the Red Team.