Incensed over repeated failed attempts to hold a special meeting with Western Counties officials regarding plans to have this summer's series moved from Southampton Oval to Somerset Cricket Club, champions Willow Cuts have retained the services of lawyer Ed Bailey, a former Bermuda Cricket Board of Control president, and are threatening to take matters before the court.

According to one Cuts executive, who wished to remain anonymous, Counties officials have repeatedly thwarted efforts by the west end club to discuss a change of venue.

Ironically, the first Western Counties match was held at Somerset Cricket Club on July 8, 1962 and was contested between Warwick and Cuts.

In the latest dispute to plague the association since the PHC-Southampton debacle in 1999 concerning the eligibility of James Pace, Cuts are threatening to attempt to have the courts issue an injunction which would halt this year's Western Counties competition.

Cuts are due to begin the defence of their title against Warwick on July 6.

"All we asked was to have a meeting with the Western Counties," revealed the source. "This has been going on since March or April and to date they have still not met with us.

"All we wanted was to have a fair shake at it because the constitution states that it should be left up to the discretion of the executives and the members to have a vote.

"The constitution clearly states that you need four signatures to constitute a vote, but what I don't understand is just why a meeting never materialised when in fact we had the majority (three signatures).

"If there are only five clubs in the Western Counties and you receive signatures from three of them then what's the problem?

"The thing is that all we wanted was just to have a meeting. They (Western Counties) initially agreed with us that they would meet with us and discuss it.

"Somerset weren't affiliated then and can't become an affiliate now because it's a Cup Match venue.

"We're starting to get the impression that it is personal, because the first thing that they came up with was the comment that `I don't think that would ever happen because they (Somerset) would be getting all of the money'.

"All we are trying to do is to encourage more people to come out and enjoy the match. What do we have to benefit from it? We don't get the gate. Somerset are prepared to allow us the use of their facilities, but other than that what are we getting out of it?

"Basically, we are just trying to make it for the betterment of the Western Counties. What do we have to lose or benefit from it other than people coming and enjoying a relaxing atmosphere.

"The thing is that if it's a business, then it should be run accordingly and the executives need to know that they represent us - we don't represent them!"

Bailey confirmed yesterday that Cuts had sought his legal advice.

"I did send out a letter after Willow Cuts' executives met with me in my capacity as an attorney," he said.

"There are so many issues that I believe the Western Counties need to seek advice on because unfortunately they have a group of people who have come into positions with a total disregard for what has happened in the past and how it (Western Counties) was started.

"The Western Counties has been going on for 40 years and not one of those persons who are currently on the executive can tell you anything about the past 40 years.

"To be honest, I just think that there is so much being missed here. It just seems as though some people want to exclude certain people and run things the way they want to and cricket ends up being the loser, but the game is always bigger than any one person."

Despite the uproar, Western Counties president Keith Wainwright is sticking to his guns.

"Willow Cuts did put it in writing to have a special meeting to address the field and the constitution," he admitted.

"But according to page four of the constitution, special meetings may be called at the request of four members after a notice has been served to the president in writing stating reasons for the same, and such meetings may only be called no later than seven days following such notice.

"No other business shall be discussed other than that specified in the agenda.

"Furthermore, page two of the constitution states that a member shall mean a club which has qualified for membership in the association in accordance with the provisions of section five . . ."

Willow Cuts players and officials are presently off the Island on a tour of Canada.