Angered and confused by Somerset Cricket Club's last-minute decision not allow Somerset Eagles midfielder Duvall Binns to play during Sunday's west-end Premier Division derby, Somerset Bridge Recreation Club president Bray Saltus yesterday accused his neighbouring rivals of trying to muscle a psychological advantage.

Binns, a gifted former Trojans player, was handed a lengthy ban from Somerset Cricket Club grounds several years ago for an off-the-field incident said to be unrelated to sports and as such was not permitted to play during Eagles' 1-0 win over the club's more illustrious opponents.

But surprisingly Binns was allowed to remain on club property for the duration of the match, leaving many to speculate that Trojans were only concerned with ensuring that the key player remained off the pitch rather than enforcing the ban in its entirety.

Also, earlier this month many assumed that Somerset club officials had given Binns the green light to resume playing at the ground when no complaints were made after he took part in a Premier Division contest against PHC.

Ironically, with Sunday's loss to Eagles, Trojans are now staring down the relegation barrel - with the two teams preparing to do battle again in this weekend's FA Cup quarter-final at the same venue.

Yesterday Somerset Cricket Club president Colin Smith refused to comment, insisting the issue only concerned his club and the player involved.

However, his opposite number Saltus now wants answers as to just why the player was allowed to play in the February 2 contest but not on Sunday.

"What they (Somerset Cricket Club) did was wrong. And I am certainly going to follow up on it," Saltus declared.

"It doesn't end here. If he (Binns) isn't allowed on the grounds then why didn't they escort him outside. If someone isn't allowed inside the gate - whether it be a player or not - they aren't permitted to play or watch from inside, period.

"It seems as though they (Trojans) were just out to weaken us, to give them a better chance of winning the match. It was all designed for Somerset . . . they were looking for any way possible of winning the match and getting three points."

Saltus suggested that Binns may have been allowed to play against PHC at Somerset only because that game didn't directly involve the home club.

"I don't know what took place when we (Eagles) played against PHC. Obviously Binns did play and I don't know if that disappointed them (Somerset officials) or whatever," he added.

"I don't think that it really made a difference to them because PHC were only using the ground. But being their club was involved in this match (Sunday) , it seems as though they tried to pull whatever strings they had to give themselves an advantage - and in reality that failed as well.

"But I will be talking with my player (Binns) today and then do my part and follow up on this. And hopefully it can all be resolved before Sunday's match because we would certainly like to see Binns on the pitch."