White Hill Field has been confirmed as the new venue for this year’s Western Counties series.

The Western Counties Cricket Association had originally announced that the 50-overs competition would be held at Southampton Oval.

However, they later relocated the tournament after member clubs unanimously expressed “deep unrest” in the wake of an attack on a Paget Lions player during the past football season and more recently a firearm incident at Southampton Rangers Sports Club.

Expressing a “profound sadness” over the incidents, the association said it was left with “no choice” but to relocate this year’s tournament as a protective and temporary measure driven by its “strict duty” to ensure the safety of spectators, players and officials.

Southampton Rangers Sports Club president Darren “Butch” Burchall hit back at the WCCA decision to strip his club of hosting rights for the tournament this year which he branded as “deplorable and unjust”.

After being granted hosting rights at the WCCA’s last annual meeting, Burchall said his club had secured the support of area MP Zane DeSilva, top businesses in the community and invested more than $10,000 to prepare their facility for the upcoming series.

He also pointed to recent T20 matches at Southampton Oval involving fellow Western Counties teams Willow Cuts, Somerset Bridge, PHC and Warwick Workmen’s Club that were all held without any acts of antisocial behaviour in and around the club.

The WCCA also cited a threat of losing vital sponsorship as a factor in its decision. However, Burchall claims the association has suffered financial losses in recent years with the event having been staged at both White Hill Field and Southampton Oval.

This year’s series will feature holders Warwick taking on challengers PHC in the first round on July 4, with hosts Southampton Rangers facing the winner in the second round on July 11.

The winners of that match will take on Somerset Bridge in the third round on August 8 with the winner of that contest to meet Willow Cuts in the final round on August 22.

The Royal Gazette has reached out to WCCA president Teresa Burrows for comment on the new host venue.