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One of the island's most decorated cricket clubs is now in jeopardy of folding.

The departures of key players has left Police Recreation Club struggling to find numbers ahead of the upcoming season and there are fears the Premier side could withdraw from the league if the situation doesn't improve.

Gone are senior players Dennis Archer, Andy Cumberbatch and skipper Jerome Bradshaw who are virtually the team's backbone.

Former national team all-rounder Archer has decided to hang his gear up while Policeman Cumberbatch has returned to his native Barbados.

Bradshaw is due to return to Barbados at the end of the month while there is mounting speculation that others such as pacer George O'Brien Jr may be on the move.

Former skipper Garvin Aparicio is also said to be weighing up his options.

The outgoing Archer said: "There is some uncertainty as to whether Police will have a team or not this year. Usually around this time of the year we would've gotten together to begin planning and what not but I haven't heard anything as of yet. I don't know what the deal is and it would be safe to say the team is in jeopardy of folding.

"I can't see them fielding a team unless some players from the past decide to come out. But I can't see that happening."

While Police's fate hangs in the balance, Archer believes the solution to the club's dilemma could lie within.

He said: "I'm sure if the Policemen themselves would come out to play Police would have a team. Most of the people who play for Police are not Policemen and I guess people are no longer making the sacrifices to play anymore."

As for his decision to retire, Archer said: "All good things must come to an end. Even though I have put a lot of years into the game it hasn't been easy."

Archer has also given up preparing the ground at Police Field, thus adding to an ongoing shortage of groundsmen at club venues.

Love

He added: "I did what I had to do for the love of the game. But my time is up."

Led by the likes of fast bowler Adrian King, all-rounder Robert Hinds and batsman Ronald Greenidge Police enjoyed a dominant spell in the 1980s, winning back-to-back Premier titles in 1981 and 82.

Making the club's successful league title defence in 1982 all the more remarkable was the fact they went through the season unbeaten without the services of skipper King for a spell.

Police have been a shadow of their former selves in more recent times but held their own in top flight cricket last season, finishing fifth in the standings and reaching the final of the inaugural Lindos 20/20 competition.

They also briefly held the Central Counties trophy after dethroning champions Young Men's Social Club before losing it to Devonshire Recreation Club in the final round.

Off spinner Cumberbatch was one of the team's leading lights in the bowling department and also made valuable contributions with the bat along with skipper Bradshaw.[[In-content Ad]]

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