Top local umpire Randy Butler yesterday jumped to the defence of fellow official Steven West who came under criticism for some of the decisions he made on his Cup Match debut during last week's 100th anniversary game at Somerset.

Fans around the ground were heard grumbling over West's judgement and ZBM radio commentator Randy Horton also publicly questioned at least one of the decisions.

While West couldn't be reached for comment yesterday, Butler said he believed the official had called it "the way he saw it".

And the Bermuda Cricket Umpires Association executive said he was more concerned by the bat-waving antics of Somerset's Curtis Jackson's after he was given out by West on the second day.

"He (West) gave it as he saw it," said Butler.

"They (ZBM) even showed it on TV - Jackson walking towards him (West) and pointing his bat.

"The umpire doesn't want to know after he puts up his hand whether or not you got an edge to the ball. If the umpire gives you out then you have to go."

Although West was observed making notes in his book shortly after Jackson's dismissal, Butler said that as yet no official match report had been submitted to the BCUA.

"It takes time, but I haven't seen any reports yet. But he probably made a note of it," added Butler.

"In Test match cricket, he (Jackson) would have lost a good portion of his match fee.

"Normally, the match referee would have made a report of the incident and it would have been dealt with on Friday before they (West, Douglas and match official Lester Harnett) left the field.

"But I'm not questioning that. The only thing would have been Albert Steede's dismissal on the second day when he (West) couldn't see and I think the other umpire (Douglas) wasn't able to help him, so he came back and said that he must have been bowled. But the lbws were routine."

Many also questioned West's decisions on the first day after Dexter Basden, Clay Smith and Sheridan Ming were all given out by the umpire - the latter to a ball that appeared to be pitched down the leg-side.

However, Butler, while standing by his colleague's decisions, drew reference to last year's match at Wellington Oval where Clay Smith, Lionel Cann and Jason Anderson's temper tantrums came into question.

Only Anderson received a reprimand and was subsequently given a one year ban for unsportsmanlike conduct, while Smith and Cann went unpunished - Smith, after having allegedly destroyed club property.

"Nothing was really done and no suggestions were made," added Butler.

Meanwhile, Somerset Cricket Club have been attacked for the manner in which fans were allowed to stroll across the pitch during the intervals. There was also a noticeable absence of police officers, who traditionally come out to ensure no damage is done to the pitch.

"The umpires were walking out and all of these children continued playing on the field. If people are going to go out onto the field, then you have to let them know not to walk onto the pitch, but there wasn't even any policemen on the pitch," complained Butler.

"The umpires are trying to take this to a higher level."

In another post Cup Match development, fans have been calling ZBM radio talk shows expressing their anger over alleged comments made by St.George's skipper Charlie Marshall during the prize-giving ceremony.

Some claimed they heard the veteran player curse and have called for Marshall to make a public apology.

Marshall could not be reached for comment yesterday, but ZBM chiefs confirmed that their microphones had picked up some "negative" comments during the presentation, allegedly made by the east end captain.

l BCBC officials were scheduled to hold a special meeting last night to determine what action should be taken in the wake of Sunday's two postponed matches between Flatts and Southampton at Sea Breeze Oval and Somerset Bridge and Devonshire Rec. at White Hill Field.