against cricket officials.

The Ministry of Finance took the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control to Magistrates' Court claiming it owed more than $2,000 for five off-duty Police officers who worked at a cricket match last year.

But yesterday, Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis found in favour of the BCBC and ordered that the Ministry pay costs.

"It was unfortunate that the matter came to court,'' said BCBC president Mr.

Edward Bailey. "I felt that the matter could have been settled out of court, although it is a relief not to have this hanging over us any more.'' At the hearing, in September, the Ministry said that on behalf of Police Commissioner Mr. Colin Coxall it wanted payment for the officers who worked at the Champion of Champions match in St. David's, in September 1994.

The BCBC said it never requested the officers, but had been willing to pay for two out of courtesy.

The court heard from retired Chief Inspector Winston Esdaille who said he spoke to St. David's County Cricket Club president Mr. Edward Lamb on two separate occasions.

On both occasions Mr. Lamb requested Police officers and when he was asked who should be billed, he replied the BCBC, said Mr. Esdaille.

But he said he could not recall another instance where a club officer had told him to bill the BCBC.

But he said: "I gathered from my conversation with Mr. Lamb that he had the sanction of the BCBC to act on their behalf.'' Mr. Lamb agreed that the conversations had taken place, but said Mr. Esdaille must have misunderstood their content.

He said they had discussed the logistics of hiring Police officers for the cricket match but stressed that he never hired any officers because that was the duty of the governing body, the BCBC.

Crown Counsel Miss Nicole Stoneham said last night she had requested a written copy of the judgment and could not comment on whether an appeal would be lodged.