Somerset are facing a points deduction for not preparing their wicket for a match that could drag them into a relegation fight in the Logic Premier Division last weekend.

St George’s have filed a request with the Bermuda Cricket Board to be awarded the points for Somerset’s wicket not being prepared for their rained out match with Willow Cuts.

And the biggest losers could be Somerset who, as the landlords, face a maximum five points deduction for not having the ground ready for Cuts’ match.

Section 15.3 (d) under the BCB rules and regulations which govern a no result, states that “in the event of the pitch not being prepared the umpire must verify in writing and the visiting team may, at the discretion of the BCB, be awarded the match.

“The BCB will have the right to penalise a host club [landlord] for non-preparation of a pitch without reasonable and justifiable cause and notice. First offence penalty will be 0-5 point deduction. Second offence will be 5-10 and third offence will be at the BCB’s discretion.”

Losing up to five points, with St George’s being awarded 13 points for the win, would drag Somerset into the relegation play-off battle. They presently have 48 points while St George’s have 30 and Cleveland 25.

If a points deduction was imposed on Somerset it would close the gap between themselves and St George’s, with Somerset having one match, against Bailey’s Bay, after this weekend’s bye while St George’s have two matches left against St David’s on Sunday and Cleveland next weekend.

Southampton Rangers were recently awarded the points on the rainout weekend of August 10 when Somerset forfeited their home match after informing the Board and the umpires on the morning of the match that their pitch had not been prepared.

“Officially we can confirm that St George’s have filed a request that the Board should view that game as a forfeit as they feel the ground was not properly prepared,” said Neil Speight, the BCB chief executive officer.

He stressed that the Somerset forfeit to Rangers does not “fall under this clause”, meaning that this would not be a second offence which would have carried a bigger points deduction.

“This is more specific to the landlords not preparing a wicket for their tenant’s match,” Speight explained.

“This is something that has happened on and off over the years and that’s why the clause has come into place. The Board is waiting for the umpires’ report which the cricket committee will review to make a decision on.”

If Somerset are not found guilty then Cuts and St George’s will both get five points for the rain out.

With only two rounds of matches, St David’s lead Rangers by six points after last weekend’s home loss to Bailey’s Bay in a match reduced to 20 overs a side.

If St David’s and Rangers both win this weekend against St George’s and Cuts then the league race will be decided next weekend when St David’s and Rangers meet at Lord’s.

The relegation issue is also close with just five points separating St George’s and Cleveland who meet next weekend.

The second-from-bottom side will be involved in a play-off with the second-place team in the First Division.

The promotion race is close, too, with Flatts leading on 110 points while Western Stars have 105 points and Somerset Bridge 85.

Flatts and Stars meet on Sunday and Bridge play Warwick. Bridge then complete their season at home to Flatts while Stars play the Bermuda Under-17 side.

The play-off match will be played on September 14 and the BCB are still hoping to host the Twenty20 tournament next month, though the availability of grounds is a major factor as football is set to start this weekend.

“We’ve told most clubs we plan to do it [T20], what’s holding it up is not knowing what grounds are available,” Speight said.

“Grounds like St David’s and Somerset are have told us they are going to stay open for cricket until the 28th”