Devonshire, 139 all out; Willow Cuts, 64-4 (match abandoned)

The unruly behaviour plaguing domestic cricket reared its ugly head once again during Sunday’s Premier match between Devonshire and Willow Cuts at Devonshire Recreation Club.

Umpire Lester Harnett abandoned proceedings after allegedly being subjected to verbal abuse from players.

Harnett pulled stumps shortly after colleague Bobby Smith walked off the field after he too was subjected to verbal abuse from players and spectators alike.

Smith was bombarded with obscenities after controversially giving Cuts batsman Reggie Tucker Jr out leg before, leaving the visitors reeling at 64 for four after 17 overs in reply to Devonshire’s 139 all out.

Shortly after Tucker’s controversial dismissal Cuts’ batsman Chris Douglas assumed the role of good samaritan and entered the pitch to assist remaining umpire Harnett.

But before play resumed Harnett decided that enough was enough and abandoned the match.

This led to outrage from Douglas who kicked down the stumps at the non-striker’s end before storming off towards the dressing room.

Harnett was also subjected to verbal abuse from Cuts all-rounder Deunte Darrell after pulling stumps at the opposite end to signal the end of a low-scoring match that appeared to be heading for an exciting climax.

Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) technical committee chairman and vice-president Allen Richardson said his association will now review the circumstances that led to Sunday’s match being abandoned.

“The Board will review this matter once we receive the official match report from the umpires and then take the appropriate action,” he told The Royal Gazette.

Cuts assistant coach Dexter Basden and Devonshire player/coach Ricky Brangman both declined to comment.

Bailey’s Bay, 220-7, beat St. David’s 213, by seven runs

Bailey’s Bay handed leaders St. David’s a second straight loss at Sea Breeze Oval to throw the Premier 50 over championship race wide open.

Bay beat their Eastern Counties rivals by seven runs in a gripping contest that went right down to the wire.

Inspiring the home team to victory were Garnell Hollis (60) and Rodney Trott (54) who both scored half-centuries.

Hollis struck five boundaries and added 79 runs for the third wicket with skipper Stephen Outerbridge (34) to give Bay’s innings much needed momentum after a slow start.

Trott also kept the runs flowing with four boundaries batting at number five.

Fast bowler Stefan Kelly was the pick of the St. David’s bowling with figures of two for 37.

In reply, OJ Pitcher struck four boundaries in a knock of 56 and added 44 runs for the sixth-wicket with Landro Minors (21) to rescue the Islanders from early trouble.

Sammy Robinson also thumped 40 batting at number eight to keep St. David’s on course for victory.

But it ultimately wasn’t enough as the visitors eventually folded in the 49th over with the finish line within sight.

Off spinner Trott claimed three wickets for 44 runs to lead Bay’s bowling attack and cap a fine all round display with bat and ball.

Meanwhile, in Sunday’s lone First Division encounter Western Stars’ promotion hopes suffered a setback after they went down by 90 runs against hosts Somerset at Somerset Cricket Club.

Stars were skittled out for 46 chasing a revised target of 136 after rain brought Somerset’s innings to a close at 161 for six after 43 overs.

Guiding Somerset to victory were former Stars duo Jekon Edness and Jacobi Robinson.

Edness struck four boundaries in a knock of 44 while Robinson claimed four for ten with his medium pace.

Player/coach Andre Manders (two for 19) and Raymond Butterfield (two for 25) led the Stars’ bowling.

Manders (six) was also joint top scorer for Stars along with Nyon Steede and McKLaren Lowe.