Western Stars opening batsman Treadwell Gibbons Jr. will return to action next season after having a severe ban reduced to eight matches by the Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) following his appeal.

Gibbons was involved in heated verbal exchanges with newly appointed director of cricket development Arnold Manders during a Premier Division fixture between Stars and Bermuda Under-19s at St. John's Field in June.

Initially the BCB slapped a two-year ban on Gibbons, who has two previous run-ins with the Board for disciplinary offences, when he was deemed to have committed three separate offences after being given out lbw by Manders, who was umpiring.

Under the BCB's code of conduct, Gibbons was found guilty of showing serious dissent at an umpire's decision, threatening to assault an umpire and using foul language or gestures that seriously offend, insult, humiliate, intimidate or vilifies another person on the basis of that person's race, religion, colour or ethnic origin.

The latter offence was reduced from level four to level three by the BCB appeals committee, consisting of chairman Clevelyn Crichlow, Anthony Whalley and Calvin "Bummy" Symonds, at a hearing last month - therefore reducing his ban.

Gibbons was informed of his reprieve via post on August 10 and has already served three matches of his ban with three fixtures still remaining on the Premier Division calendar. He will carry two games over to the 2008 season.

Western Stars stood by their man after the ban was imposed with captain Justin Robinson stating although he did not condone his player's actions, he was adamant Gibbons' offences had not warranted such a lengthy punishment.

It is believed Gibbons was initially given out lbw by Gerald Bean (Under-19s manager) but was allowed to continue batting after Stars protested against the decision.

When Gibbons was given out lbw a second time in the match - on this occasion by Manders - it was reported the left-hander verbally lashed out at the former Stars' skipper and his wife from the sidelines.

Manders admitted to The Royal Gazette back in July that he had exchanged words with Gibbons following the batman's dismissal, but denied provoking the player.

In 2003 Gibbons, who had a short playing stint with Scottish side Arbroath United two years ago, was axed from the Under-19 national squad for fighting with St. David's pacer George O'Brien Jr. during a practice session at the National Sports Centre (NSC). He was also punished for an undisclosed incident that occurred while representing Bermuda at the national youth level on a summer tour of Jamaica.

He is son of former Flatts, Warwick, Western Stars, Somerset Cup Match and Bermuda Masters opening batsman/wicketkeeper Treadwell Gibbons.