anticipated as his English club Halesowen have run into money problems.

Gibbons played his first matches as a professional this past weekend but by then he was already rocked by news that the lack of sponsorship could short-circuit his lifetime ambition.

"I had a meeting with two of the club executives on Saturday morning about the situation,'' said Gibbons yesterday. "Last years seven guys left the club, quality players, and when they left, so did the sponsorship.

"They (the executives) said that they are definitely not in a position to hire someone full time. They are trying to work out something this week, but I spoke to the skipper and he was saying that things don't look good in terms of getting sponsorship.'' Gibbons, 37, has appealed to the West Midlands club while on pre-season tours with local team Bailey's Bay the past two years and a three-year deal was reportedly struck just before he left for Bermuda's two-week tour of England.

"We agreed on 195 pounds a week,'' Gibbons added. "They are now saying that the most they can give me is 50 pounds and I won't be staying here for that.'' Gibbons will weigh his options -- to return to Bermuda or look for alternate employment in England -- after tomorrow's final meeting on the issue.

While news off the field was disillusion for the long-time Bailey's Bay stalwart, he excelled on the field in leading the team to only their second win in nine outings on Sunday.

Gibbons struck 83 as Halesowen beat Wolverhampton by 22 runs after scoring 203. Gibbons' innings was ended controversially as he was given out for handling the ball.

"I played a ball from a spinner and it landed right next to me,'' explained Gibbons. "I picked it up and threw it back to the bowler and he appealed.

That was a hard way to go after getting so close to a century.'' Gibbons returned to help his new side in the field by taking one for 24 from 11 overs.

The previous day, Gibbons claimed four for 31 from 17 overs and scored 29 out of 103 in a losing effort as Halesowen went down to Moseley Ashford by 79 runs.

Michael Furbert hit a four off last ball to earn Heron Bay an exciting tie with West Pembroke in the final of the Primary Schools nine-a-side final at Shelly Bay field yesterday.

Heron Bay went into the last over needing six runs to win after West Pembroke made 70 for five in 15 overs.

But Mel Gibbons, who top-scored for West Pembroke with 25 not out, yielded only one run off the first five balls. But his last one was a full toss down the leg side and Furbert promptly dispatched him to also leave Heron Bay at 70 for five.

Shannon Smith was the top scorer for Heron Bay with 31.

NOEL GIBBONS -- Unwilling to work for 50 pounds a week.