AS EXCUSES go, this one just about takes the biscuit.

Asked why his team failed to show for Sunday's Premier League cricket match, a spokesman for Young Men's Social Club piped up: "It probably had something to do with Mother's Day.'' Given that explanation, Social Club's opponents in a few weeks' time probably need not bother showing either, as that happens to be Father's Day and we can assume that the YMSC players will be otherwise engaged again.

But if they're really not serious about playing in the Premier League, then why not pull out now and save the Cricket Board and those clubs who do take the game seriously any more headaches.

Social Club finished rock bottom of the league last season, often failing to raise a full team. And they've started this campaign on the same sour note, mustering just seven players against Somerset last Saturday and defaulting (because of Mother's Day!) against Bailey's Bay on Sunday.

If that isn't cause enough for the Board to boot them out right now, then what is? It's called the Premier League because it's supposed to feature and provide competition for Bermuda's premier players, many of whom are currently gearing up for a number of international commitments this year.

Social Club's contempt for these players indicates the league would be better off without them.

*** SEEMS there's no pleasing some people.

On a forum aired on VSB-TV last Saturday night, involving various business and community leaders, much of the discussion revolved around the responsibility of the press.

As has been stressed in the past, the point was made that whether the media be written or broadcast the object is to present a fair, balanced and accurate account of the news of the day.

That, however, seemingly isn't enough for Somerset Cricket Club president Colin Smith.

The west ender, who introduced himself as a keen tennis player, said he took offence at the word "hammered'' which was used in the Gazette recently to describe the Island team's Davis Cup defeat in Cuba.

The fact that Bermuda's players didn't register a single win and were duly relegated from their division, apparently didn't matter.

That isn't to say they didn't give their best, and our reporter in Havana said as much.

But perhaps next time a Bermuda team compete abroad and suffer heavy defeat, we should just pretend it didn't happen.

*** NEXT week sees what many, including this scribe, consider as one of the best of Bermuda sporting events, the May 24 Marathon Derby.

Unfortunately this year the race is a foregone conclusion. Kavin Smith will lead home the men and Anna Eatherley the women.

And, such has been their domination on the roads in recent years, if they don't, there should be a stewards' inquiry.

Yet the Marathon Derby isn't all about winning. Every runner who takes that last tired step across the finish line is a winner, as are the thousands of cheering spectators who make this uniquely Bermudian event such an annual success story.

*** IS THERE any wonder Americans don't embrace or understand the game of soccer like the rest of the world? Not when they have commentators such as those who worked Wednesday's pulsating UEFA Cup Final between Liverpool and Alaves.

Constant references to "unforced errors'' and "assists'' were bad enough.

But then came a real gem at the final whistle: "Liverpool have now had nine straight victories without a loss.'' Really? Stick to baseball guys.

*** FINAL word on Roland Butcher.

How could someone who over the past nine months has done his best to torpedo Bermuda's ICC hopes single-handedly, have the gall to ask for his job back.

Had the coach been honest from the start with his players, the Board, and most importantly the cricket public, then perhaps there might have been some sympathy for his plight.

But instead he chose to blame his continued absence on a variety of circumstances ranging from domestic issues to business commitments, all along concealing the fact that his preoccupation was with a court case, details of which he still refuses to reveal.

If that case did not implicate him in anything sinister, then surely he had nothing to fear by coming clean from the start.

The fact that he has chosen to keep secret his involvement from those who were to have paid his wages -- the Bermuda taxpayer -- suggests we're better off without him.

-- ADRIAN ROBSON