The Western Counties Cricket Association has broken its silence over Southampton Rangers’ decision to withdraw from the series this year.

Rangers pulled out of the competition last month after the decision was made to stage the series at White Hill Field and not Southampton Oval, a move Rangers president Darren “Butch” Burchall felt contravened the association’s constitution

In an interview with The Royal Gazette last month, Burchall insisted that it was Rangers’ turn to host the tournament and the decision made by Western Counties was based primarily on the allocation of plots and goes against the “spirit” of a revision to the constitution allowing for the year-about change of venues.

“According to the constitution, the two grounds for the Western Counties are Southampton Rangers and White Hill Field, and the game will be played in a rotation year by year,” he said.

“The executive committee can hold the game elsewhere if needed, but elsewhere means not at Rangers or White Hill. In the rotation, it is Rangers’ turn but all they are worrying about is plots, and the cricket is secondary.”

In response, Teresa Burrows, the Western Counties president, said she was saddened by Rangers’ decision to withdraw but that all factors were taken into consideration before making the decision to stage the competition at White Hill Field.

“The Western Counties are disappointed by the withdrawal of Southampton Rangers in the 2025 WCCA Series,” she said.

“We went through the proper procedures to ensure all parties were heard and that the decision made was with all factors in mind.”

Burrows went on to say that the association plans to meet with its member clubs to discuss how to avoid further venue disputes at the conclusion of this year’s competition.

“Once the series is done, the executive and the member clubs will meet and recap on this year’s events and see how we can move forward and avoid further disputes,” she said.

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 Western Counties.

Burrows, who also serves as president of Somerset Bridge Recreation Club, confirmed that Rangers remain members of the association despite their decision to pull out this year.

“Southampton Rangers are still a part of the Western Counties although they decided not to participate this year,” she said.

“The Western Counties will discuss with the membership the status of Southampton Rangers. But as of now we are looking forward to them being a part of 2026 and going forward.”

To fill the void created by Rangers’ non-participation, Burrows now plans to stage an all-star exhibition match between Western Counties players and their Eastern Counties counterparts.

“The revised schedule has allowed for an exhibition match to be held on the Round 3 date of August 9, which could involve a WCCA and ECCA All-Star match as featured in 2023,” Burrows said.

It has been a busy time for Burrows, with the association giving PHC an ultimatum to turn down an invitation to compete in the Central Counties or risk expulsion from the Western Counties.

Burrows said PHC’s initial decision to play in the Central Counties would have compromised the association and its competition.

“The WCCA executive was unaware of PHC’s invitation to the 2025 Central Counties,” she said.

“Western Counties are in a rebuilding phase and having clubs participate in multiple counties could impact the integrity of the counties and series.

“Once again this was taken to the member clubs as a discussion point for the 2025 series.”

PHC suffered a 169-run loss to champions Willow Cuts in the first round at White Hill Field last weekend.