bowler Terry Burgess -- have had their appeals against suspensions handed out by Bermuda Cricket Board of Control in August turned down.

A third player, early order batsman Charlie Marshall, decided to withdraw his appeal, saying he would serve his time "fishing''.

The trio, who were all members of the national team that placed fourth in the ICC Trophy Tournament in Kenya back in March, had initially received bans ranging from six to eight games going into next season.

Gibbons will be ineligible to play until the second week of June while the others are sidelined until the beginning of July.

Initially all three players were hopeful of getting their bans lifted entirely but Marshall decided to withdraw his appeal before the hearing. The others did not, but their pleas for having the sentences reduced or squashed have failed.

Reginald Pearman, vice president of the BCBC, earlier this week confirmed that the appeals had been dismissed and also revealed that the players would be on probation for the entire 1995 season. No threat of probation had previously been associated with their sentence.

When contacted last night Gibbons said he was unaware of the results of the hearing while Marshall revealed his reasons for not appealing.

"I withdrew mine because I thought about doing a lot of fishing next year...just sitting it out and doing some serious fishing. I want to catch some wahoo and am inviting the whole BCBC, the umpires' association and the press down to my house for dinner,'' chuckled Marshall.

But, on a more serious note he said he would return to the sport after his period of suspension was served.

Gibbons was reported by umpire Jeff Pitcher for his behaviour during a home league game against St. George's on August 14. He was charged with using offensive language after an lbw appeal was turned down by the official.

Marshall and Burgess were involved in controversies during a league game against Willow Cuts at Sea Breeze Oval on September 11 with both found guilty of using foul and abusive language to umpire Ronald O'Hara.

Robin Swan of Somerset Bridge, who was banned for two years for using offensive language and threatening words to umpire Winston Laylor during a game against Police at Police Field on June 12, will have to wait until the New Year for his appeal hearing.