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Flatts bowler Hurdle banned after bust-up

Flatts fast bowler Kevin Hurdle has been suspended for a year for his involvement in a brawl that forced a First Division match at St John’s Field to be abandoned.A club source confirmed that the 2007 World Cup player was found guilty by a Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) disciplinary committee last week of committing level two and four offences.Flatts stalwart Rahji Edness received a two-game ban for his part in the incident that led to the match between his club and hosts Western Stars being abandoned.Flatts are appealing Hurdle’s ban but not Edness’ which is not as a severe as his team-mate’s.Hurdle played for Flatts against Somerset Bridge yesterday under appeal while Edness began serving his ban.There were no official umpires at the controversial May 6 match between Stars and Flatts that was halted in the 23rd over of the hosts’ innings. Stars were on 122 without loss in reply to the visitors’ colossal total of 312.It is understood that the BCB’s disciplinary committee based their decision upon unofficial reports of the incident that marred the opening weekend of the 2012 cricket season.During the game, Stars batsman Tre Manders stood his ground after he was adjudged to have been run out by stand-in umpire Wayne Campbell who is the president of Western Stars Sports Club.It is then alleged that heated words were exchanged between the batsman and Edness which resulted with the former threatening to strike the latter with the bat.It is understood that Hurdle eventually stepped in to separate the two men but is alleged to have been shoved by Manders’ father Andre who is Stars’ player/coach.In retaliation Hurdle is alleged to have kicked the senior Manders before Campbell eventually decided that enough was enough and pulled stumps.Stars batsman Tre stood his ground after being told to do so by his father who was serving as stand-in square leg umpire.Yesterday the senior Manders admitted he told his son to remain at the crease after being given out by Campbell but denies shoving Hurdle.“I told Tre to stay because the ball had crossed the boundary for a four and I was trying to signal this to the umpire who didn’t see it,” he said. “The Flatts players were also unsure and that’s what started the dispute.“It didn’t matter who was batting because the ball had reached the boundary and so the batsman wasn’t out and I was trying to signal this to the umpire.”National youth coach and former Somerset Cup Match skipper Manders rubbished claims that he shoved Hurdle.“I didn’t shove Kevin,” he said. “Why would I do something like that as an umpire?”Manders and his son were charged with committing level two offences but as of press time last night had yet to learn their fate.Flatts were notified by the BCB of the sanctions imposed against their players via e-mail on June 7.Hurdle, Edness, Manders and his son all appeared before the BCB’s disciplinary committee on June 6.