Southampton Rangers have officially made the decision to withdraw from the Western Counties series after a dispute with tournament organisers.

Rangers president and former player Darren “Butch” Burchall has confirmed that his club are not taking part after the decision was made to stage the series at White Hill Field and not Southampton Oval, a move Burchall feels contravenes the Western Counties Cricket Association constitution.

“We notified the Western Counties that we will not be participating in this year's competition,” Burchall told The Royal Gazette.

“We are just not happy with how the change of venue was handled and the lack of trust and disrespect that the Western Counties executive showed our club.”

The decision to withdraw has not been universally agreed with but Burchall is happy the club has made the correct call.

“People generally are happy with the decision,” Burchall said. “I have had positive conversations with people in favour and people against the decision.

“Our focus as a club is to move forward with the upcoming 50 overs competition and T20 cup final as well as to continue with the holistic development of the club across the board so that we can better serve our community.”

The Royal Gazette revealed last week that Rangers had considered pulling out of the competition after being denied what they feel is their right to host it this year.

It is the second time that Rangers have pulled out of the competition in the past 14 years after they did so in 2011 in protest against the games being played at Somerset Cricket Club, which is not affiliated with the Western Counties.

As a result of Rangers’ decision, the Western Counties series will consist of three rounds this year and not four as originally planned, with holders Willow Cuts scheduled to get their title defence under way on August 9.

The series will feature PHC, who had accepted an offer to also play in the Central Counties competition before being told they would be thrown out of the Western Counties series if they accepted the invitation.

PHC were scheduled to play in the final round of the Central Counties on June 28 but the ultimatum led to them reversing their decision to play last week.

That competition will now consist of only two rounds with Western Stars contesting the final on June 28 against the winners of the opening round between holders Devonshire Rec and Commercial League side North Village, which takes place on June 21. Both matches will be held at Devonshire Rec.

The Royal Gazette has reached out to Western Counties and PHC for comment.