St David's withdraw from Eastern Counties

TUESDAY, JULY 5: The ongoing row between the Eastern Counties Cricket Association (ECCA) and St David’s has taken another turn for the worse, with the latter withdrawing from this summer’s competition.

ECCA president Harold Millett today confirmed that the Islanders have decided to pull out and will not play in the final round at Sea Breeze Oval as originally indicated.

Millett said: “In a nutshell, St David’s withdrew because they only wanted to play under their conditions.”

St David’s had reluctantly agreed to play, but only under the condition they did not have to submit a “public apology” for boycotting last year’s competition in protest of wide-ranging concerns with the ECCA.

The Islanders had appealed unsuccessfully against having to make a public apology to the ECCA.

They did, however, have an appeal against the ECCA’s ruling to fine them 15 per cent of their share of revenue from this summer’s series at Sea Breeze Oval upheld.

It is understood that St David’s, who have not ruled out taking legal action against the ECCA, also strongly reject to being automatically placed in the final round as opposed to being drawn like the remaining teams.

Meanwhile, in response to claims suggesting the Islanders had been banned from this summer’s competition by his association, Millet said: “We didn’t ban them. I guess it’s a matter of interpretation.”

St David’s president Aaron Lugo, who is the nephew of former St David’s wicketkeeper Millett, could not be reached for comment.