Top umpire Randy Butler yesterday called on Premier Division clubs St. George's and St. David's to sort out their differences in the aftermath of Sunday's on-field altercation between the Islanders' Phillip (Billy Joe) Pitcher and St. George's' wicketkeeper Sinclair Gibbons.

Pitcher who began the long walk back to the pavilion after he was bowled by Gregg Foggo was initially involved in a verbal exchange with Gibbons that then escalated into a skirmish, both players falling to the ground.

Calm was eventually restored by the umpires and other players, and play allowed to continue.

It's no secret that 'bad blood' still exists between the two clubs since Clay Smith switched allegiance from St. George's three years ago. And the fire has been fuelled with Smith's older brother, Wendell, and young strike bowler Mackie Crane also transferring across the harbour to Lord's.

St. David's went on to win Sunday's match by seven wickets at Wellington Oval.

But despite bringing the game to a halt, both Pitcher and Gibbons only received a reprimand from the umpires as, according to Butler, the incident didn't stem from any of the officials' decisions and, furthermore, they felt it was best for the clubs to resolve the matter themselves.

BCBC president Reggie Pearman has declined to comment on the incident until he receives an official match report from the umpires.

However, Butler said yeterday: "This thing goes on every year. That's the way they (St.George's and St.David's) play against each other.

"In previous years we have given the Board reports on matches between the two clubs that are sometimes not played in the best spirit of the game, but it's always been that way between those two clubs.

"I didn't think that there was a need to say anything to Billy Joe (Pitcher). He was cleaned bowled and began walking back to the pavilion.

"But when guys provoke you, sometimes it sparks off that sort of thing.

"I called the two skippers together and said 'hey look! We have got to play this match in the spirit in which it is supposed to be played' and they promised their best to go along with it.

"As far as we are concerned, we aren't going to make a major report on it because it happened right in front of the club and since it didn't involve a decision by the umpires, the clubs need to look at the situation and see how they can best get on together."

Butler added that he had received a verbal apology from both Pitcher and Gibbons and that he also had spoken briefly with the respective presidents of both clubs.

"They (players) were both sorry that it happened and apologised for their actions on the field, but I think that somebody has to put their foot down firmly.

"We (umpires) do occasionally have to remind the players to keep it down and stop talking when the batsman is about to receive and different things like that.

"I have seen people come onto the field before and want to fight, but I don't believe that I have ever seen anything like that before. You get this sort of stuff more in football than in cricket.

"So we (umpires) just left it to the two clubs to sort out their own problems because the umpires aren't going to make it go away.

"In future both teams will probably have to be spoken to before they go onto the pitch and if they don't do anything about it, then obviously they are either endorsing or condoning it."

BCBC president Reggie Pearman yesterday confirmed that three of the Island's top junior prospects had been chosen to take part in the upcoming 2002 West Indies Under 19 Regional Tournament to be held in Jamaica later this summer.

Somerset Cricket Club's promising, young seam bowler Jacobi Robinson, Western Stars' wicketkeeper Jekon Edness and St. George's talented opening batsman Detroy Smith will all suit up for an America's regional select.

Robinson and Edness were also members of Bermuda's senior national team that competed in the America's Cup in Argentina earlier this year, while Smith has enjoyed a good start to the 2002 season at the top of St.George's' batting order.

The tournament begins on July 30 and concludes on August 25.