Bermuda Cricket Umpires Association (BCUA) have reprimanded controversial umpire Steven Douglas for his conduct during a limited overs match involving Young Men's Social Club and PHC at White Hill Field.

"We realised this was a serious situation and dealt with it the best way we can," confirmed BCUA president Wali Manders. "We have a disciplinary committee that deals with matters such as this and dealt with in it in our way."

The former Cleveland County batsman is alleged to have held up play several times to respond to calls on his cell-phone and made an obscene gesture (putting up his middle finger) towards a fan during the match.

The BCUA vice-president and ICC Americas Region Elite Panel umpire has since apologised for his actions.

"For my actions on June 27, 2009, I sincerely apologise to the players and officials of PHC and YMSC, the spectators who were present, my BCUA colleagues and to the officials of the BCB (Bermuda Cricket Board)," Douglas wrote in a letter sent to the Board, BCUA and the two teams involved in last month's rain-hit match.

Surprisingly, however, the BCB have opted against imposing disciplinary measures of their own upon the senior umpire despite the fact Douglas' alleged antics took place during a Board-sanctioned match.

"Under ICC and BCB regulations, umpire's behaviour is governed by a separate code of conduct.

"The report was forwarded to the BCUA who have dealt with the matter and have issued a reprimand to Umpire Douglas for his behaviour," read a BCB statement.

"Additionally, Umpire Douglas has apologised in writing to both clubs, the BCB and the BCUA. As far as the BCB is concerned due process has been followed and the matter is now closed."

At the beginning of the season the BCB promised to stamp out bad behaviour and enforce a strict code of conduct.

"Our standards and the respect we have for the game and each other is almost in the gutter," BCB vice-president Allen Richardson told The Royal Gazette last May. "Nowhere else in the world is this kind of behaviour accepted or tolerated."

Meanwhile, the BCB's technical committee will convene today to decide whether or not Young Men's Social Club (YMSC) should be awarded maximum points for last month's abandoned limited overs match with PHC.

Two-time defending limited overs champs Social Club, who submitted an appeal to the BCB earlier this week, claim that time lost due to umpire Douglas interrupting play to respond to calls ultimately cost them maximum points.

Social Club were poised at 100 for three after 17 overs and well ahead on run rate when heavy showers halted proceedings – just three overs shy of the minimum amount of overs required to constitute a match.

Each team was awarded a point however Social Club player/coach Charlie Marshall feels that is simply not enough.

"I think action should be taken concerning the points because we felt we were robbed of getting the necessary 20 overs in," he argued.

"We would have won the match but this man (Douglas) was on the phone five different times which was ludicrous and crazy. I think it's crazy for a person to have phone on them in a cricket match and stopping the game."