St. David's to boycott counties

Cup holders St. David's will not be defending their Eastern Counties title this year.

St. David's' president Aaron Lugo has confirmed that his club are boycotting the century- old cup competition in protest of a controversial vote taken to determine the venue for this summer's three-game series.

Eastern Counties Cricket Association (ECCA) members recently voted unanimously in favour of having the series played at Sea Breeze Oval for the second straight year.

Lugo, however, believes the competition should be held at Lords this summer instead in accordance to the existing "year about rule".

He said: "Looking at the year about rule that has been in place all this time and also the BCB's schedule, which suggests the game is going to be at St. David's, we began preparing only to be told we will not be having it because of Bailey's Bay's request to have the series. So when they voted, they (ECCA members) voted to have it up at Bay."

Lugo added: "We voiced our concern or our disapproval of how the venue was selected and when it came down to a vote it was unanimous against us. We were just concerned with how when everyone enjoyed the atmosphere at St. David's — no disrespect to Bay because they have an atmosphere there as well — that all clubs voted against St. David's having the series when actually both fields were deemed suitable for the competition."

Upset at being snubbed, the Islanders decided to put their foot down to get their point across.

Lugo added: "Our membership has stated that we will not be participating in the series and as the voice I stand with my membership. I have listened to both sides of the story and understand people's views — but the way this thing has gone about is wrong.

"As champions, a host club and also a founding member of the ECCA, we have a great deal to stand on, and hopefully this stance will benefit the series in the long run.

"Some may feel that we are being selfish, but we don't gain anything from this as we actually lose the title and finances. But with the backing of the community and our sponsors we definitely feel that we have grounds to stand on."

Only last year St. David's threatened to boycott the Eastern Counties after the ECCA bowed down to demands to give non-host clubs Cleveland County and Flatts Victoria a larger share of revenue generated from counties matches.

When pressed on the matter, ECCA president Harold Millett reluctantly stated: "Mankind is reluctant to change — and not just in the sports realm. But progress has been made over the years, that's all I can divulge at this time."

While his club plan to boycott the senior competition, Lugo stressed that St. David's will have representation in this year's Junior Eastern Counties.

1. He said: "Children should not be involved in this type of situation that is going on and so we do intend to play the junior counties."   

The 2010 Eastern Counties competition was originally due to get underway Saturday, July 17th at Sea Breeze Oval with St. David's defending their crown against Cleveland.