Bermuda cricket's day of shame
By Colin Thompson, Josh Ball and Derek deChabert
Bermuda cricket endured a day of shame yesterday when violent clashes saw two games abandoned, while another threatened to blow up over a disputed dismissal.
Two First Division games had to be cut short when firstly an alleged family row erupted during Devonshire's match against Willow Cuts at Somerset Cricket Club.
And in Leg Trappers' match against Western Stars at Police Field, the umpire decided to end the game early when a row over a catch ended with Stars' Treadwell Gibbons jr allegedly smashing up the opposition's changing area.
The three seperate incidents brought to an end another dismal week for cricket on the Island, after umpire Steven Douglas was reprimanded and forced to make an humiliating apology for his controversial actions during a recent game involving PHC and Social Club.
According to one source, tempers had been steadily rising throughout the game at Police Field, and a disputed catch brought matters to a head. Needing 160 to win, Stars were struggling on 82 for six and then lost their seventh wicket as the run chase faltered.
The dismissed batsman, believed to be wicketkeeper Khiry Furbert, did not believe that Trappers fielder Chris Fleming had taken a fair catch. He refused to walk, and when encouraged to do so by Leg Trappers he reportedly began waving his bat around in a threatening manner.
In a bid to calm the situation, the two captains stepped in to try and restore some order, but the argument continued to rage and Stars skipper Justin Robinson eventually led his team from the field.
At that point Gibbons, who was watching from the sidelines, is believed to have gone over to the tent Leg Trappers were using for a changing room, and proceeded to smash up the team's equipment.
Umpire Oscar Andrade decided that the game was no longer safe and abandoned the match.
"The umpire decided in the interests of safety to call the game," said Leg Trappers captain Johan Oosthuizen.
"We are waiting for the umpire's match report and I don't want to make any further comment until he has contacted the BCB (Bermuda Cricket Board)."
Gibbons is no stranger to controversy, having been handed a two-year ban from the game by the Bermuda Cricket Board in 2007 following a row during a game with Director of Cricket Development Arnold Manders and his wife Robin.
Meanwhile, violence also marred yesterday's game in the West End between Willow Cuts and Devonshire that was abandoned after an alleged fight broke out involving two members of Devonshire's team – believed to be related – in the players' pavilion.
One player was allegedly assaulted by a team-mate before the fracas escalated to the point where the umpire felt it necessary to curtail the match.
Contacted, Devonshire Recreation Club president Craig Clarke confirmed that a disturbance did take place during the ill-fated match involving two of his players.
"I can't elaborate on what took place because I personally was not present at the match.
"But what I do know is that a dispute took place involving two members of our cricket team that resulted in the match being abandoned," Clarke said.
Clarke and his fellow executives woluld now await an official report detailing the alleged assault before deciding what course of action, if any, to take.
"Once we get the full report from the manager of the team then we will take the necessary steps in reference to this matter," he added. "First we will look into what transpired and then figure out the best way to rectify the situation."
Devonshire were 77 for three after 24 overs replying to Willow Cuts' total of 211 all out when the match was halted.
Bermuda Cricket Umpires Association (BCUA) president, Wali Manders, did not return calls to this newspaper last night for comment.
Elsewhere, in the Premier Division match between Southampton Rangers and Social Club, a group of Southampton Rangers' players including Malachi Jones, Janeiro Tucker and Curtis Jackson pressured an umpire into changing his decision.
Social Club player/coach Charlie Marshall had originally been adjudged not out after an lbw appeal. But Rangers believed they had run out the player who appeared to have been late getting back into his crease. Square Leg umpire Richard (Red) Burrows initially denied the second appeal, but was then surrounded by furious Rangers players and after consulting with fellow umpire Kent Gibbons, reversed his decision.
In response Social Club's Detroy Smith showed his contempt for the decision by walking on to the field without proper attire, removing the bails and pulling the stumps out of the ground.
St. David's 233-4, Somerset 128
Sammy Robinson hammered an undefeated 119 at Lord's to lead St. David's to victory. Robinson and McLaron Lowe got the home side off to a solid start with a stand of 65.
Also among the runs for St. David's were Chris Douglas on 39 not out and Landro Minors on 24. Jacobi Robinson was the best bowler for the visitors taking two for 35.
Jacal Minors demolished the Somerset batsmen by taking seven wickets for 50, with Jacobi Robinson on 38 and Dwight Basden scoring 16.
Police 242, Cleveland 246-8
Fine batting by Jason Simons (82) enabled Cleveland to edge out Police by two wickets at Sea Breeze Oval.
David Bradshaw was the best Police bowler with two for 37.
Earlier James Celestine (67) topped Police batting. Tamauri Tucker was the best bowler for Cleveland taking three for 32.
Bailey's Bay 192, PHC 170
Glenn Blakeney scored 71 and Kyle Hodsoll took three wickets to lead Bailey's Bay to a win at White Hill.
David (Chick) Adams, three for 29, was PHC best bowler.
Mark Smith (59), led the PHC innings, while Hodsoll finished with three for 42, skipper Irving Romaine had two for 19 and Jim West two for 25.
