League to rule on Cup fracas

7:09am Tuesday 1st July 2008

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Farsley’s second-round Sovereign Health Care Priestley Cup tie on Sunday was abandoned by the umpires.

The home side had dismissed 2006 finalists Bowling Old Lane for 120 and were 62 for two in reply off 19.4 overs when stumps were drawn because of trouble between the players on the pitch.

Friction then continued after the match was abandoned.

Umpires Keith Dickens and Ray Spencer both sent their accounts of proceedings by first-class post yesterday, and a decision on what happens to the contest will now rest with the JCT600 Bradford League’s board of management.

League chairman Graham Reid confirmed: “The league are waiting for the reports from the umpires to find out what they thought of things and we will then launch our own inquiry.”

A Farsley spokesman, who claimed that there was excessive appealing and abuse of the home players, said: “What happened in this match was a sad day for the Bradford League and a sad day for cricket in general. I have never seen anything like it.”

Old Lane are not saying anything official at this stage regarding the match but the Telegraph & Argus understands that comments were uttered from off the field against an Old Lane player or players.

Michael Hope, the league representative for Old Lane, said: “We are having internal meetings today – between myself, Geoff Hanson, Zubair Najeeb and Haqueeq Siddique – and tomorrow and a full committee meeting on Thursday.

“Then we will decide what our course of action will be.”

The abandoned contest didn’t, however, stop the draws for the Cup and Shield taking place last night.

Either Farsley, who would be the only Division Two survivors, or Old Lane will be at home to Cleckheaton, while holders Pudsey Congs are at Esholt.

Woodlands will host Manningham Mills, and East Bierley will entertain Saltaire. Matches will be played on Sunday, July 13 (1pm).

In the third round of the Shield, East Bierley, who are bidding for a third successive triumph and a fourth in five years, are at Morley.

Hanging Heaton, winners in 2003, host Keighley, while Gomersal, who lifted the trophy in 2000, entertain Manningham Mills. Undercliffe are at home to Cleckheaton in the other last-eight contest.