Outspoken veteran cricketer Noel Gibbons has blasted Eastern Counties Cup officials for refusing to opt for limited overs in the annual competition.

Gibbons was angered after fans at Sea Breeze Oval on Saturday were denied an opportunity he says they deserved -- to see a clear-cut result instead of a game between champions St. David's and his club Bailey's Bay which fizzled out into a tame draw.

That draw earned holders St. David's a spot in the next round.

The Counties recently adopted a policy that calls for a maximum 118 overs to be bowled during any game, but according to Gibbons that doesn't help deliver a result or ensure that positive cricket will be played.

"The current overs system is not working and this was evident on Saturday when St. David's batted until 5.17 p.m., faced 92.4 overs and left us with just 21 overs to score 261 runs,'' said a frustrated Gibbons.

"No one team should be allowed to bat as long as they want. The fans want to see a competitive situation with the game going down to the wire.'' Gibbons said the time had come for limited overs which would always produce positive cricket and a result.

Saturday's stalemate, said Gibbons, was "unfortunate'', especially after spectators had been treated to some spectacular batting by century-maker Albert Steede (111) and veteran Allan Richardson (59).

"The Eastern Counties came up with the current 118 overs policy in order to maintain interest from the fans. But I personally feel that it has made matters worse. I would rather see a straight forward 60-overs game because it would be good for the fans. It gives the two teams an equal chance to win,'' said Gibbons.

"I think the present system is disgraceful. They ask for 118 overs to be bowled in a day but they still allow it so that a team can bat all they like.

St. David's batted on and on, so the overs policy is of no real significance.

That's ignorant.

"The Eastern Counties have to sit down and realise what is good for the game.

"No one team should be allowed to bat as long as they like and that goes for my own club or anybody else's. The champions can bat as long and as slowly as they want to, realising that a draw is as good as a win ... it's unfair to their opponents, but more importantly it's unfair to the fans.'' He complained that when St. David's were finally all out for 260 there was no hope of a challenge from Bay with so few overs remaining.

Although unhappy with the dull ending, Gibbons was pleased that his club gave him the chance to play in a match he regarded as his "swan song.'' After taking part in the Counties for 30 years with Bay and becoming the holder of the majority of its records, Gibbons bowed out with an unbeaten innings of 54 and finished with two wickets for 30 off 15 overs, including six maidens.

"I am sorry that this was my last year, but it was great to go out on such a successful note,'' he said.

And he reckoned it was one of his easiest matches, especially since he batted at a time when there was no pressure on the team other than not to be bowled out in 21 overs.

"It would have been embarrassing for us to have been bowled out in that little time. We knew we couldn't win it, so it wasn't that difficult to bat intelligently,'' he added.

"It felt good to go out the way I did by grabbing a few wickets and having a good day at the wicket. I feel I have made a contribution to the Eastern Counties, to my club and to Bermuda over the years and I trust others will view my playing career the same way.''