supporting Bailey's Bay skipper Charlie Marshall's claim that the youngster's action is not illegal.

West has been ridiculed for throwing during Saturday's Eastern Counties Cup final at Lord's when he was called by umpires Lester Harnett and George Francis six times. St. David's captain Clay Smith pointed out to the umpires that he thought the youngster's action was suspect.

Corey Hill, who is among several Bailey's Bay regulars who have not been included in recent matches because of an internal dispute with management, has coached the bowler in the Shell/BF&M Youth League the last two years and reckons that he has watched him closer than anybody else and is therefore qualified to give an opinion on his action.

"His has a quicker one that may be a little suspect on occasion, but in general he definitely doesn't chuck,'' said Hill who coaches West's Hamilton Parish side in the youth leaague.

Smith has been belittled after bringing the throwing matter to the attention of the umpires during the game, suggesting that they take a closer look. He was eventually "no-balled'' six times.

According to Hill, the incident was devastating to the youngster, claiming that it was brutal enough to lead to the complete demise of a lesser player -- but not West whom Hill says has the character to deal with it.

"Jim is a strong boy and he will bounce back. But I watched all of this closely, saw how he reacted physically and emotionally and I know he was hurt and confused,'' said Hill.

"What Clay must remember is that the youth need encouragement, not criticism unless it is done in a way to help the player. This wasn't anything to help anybody, maybe to help rescue St. David's who were not on top of things like they wanted to be at the time.'' The coach believed that West has the potential not only to become a key regular with Bailey's Bay, but that there was also a good chance that the youngster could also establish himself in the senior national team in the future.

Hill points out that there are few young bowlers coming along with the ability of West, indicating the importance of giving them total support and encouragement to continue to strive for excellence.

"I think it was unfair for Clay to expose this young man to the umpires in one of the Island's most popular games, they probably would not have called him had Clay not interfered. It makes me wonder where Clay's principles lie,'' said Hill.

"Did Clay only speak because Jim's ball were flying off the wicket during his second spell and he had picked up two valuable wickets?. Would he had cared if the bowler was peppered all over the field? I don't think so.

"I know for a fact Clay has watched this kid bowl before, as recent as the youth tour here by Canada when Clay himself was doing some of the coaching of the Bermuda team. Why didn't he speak then? "Why didn't the umpires call Jim when he was representing Bermuda? They had a perfect opportunity to do it then. You know why, it was because he was in the natioanl team. The difference was that he posed a late threat to Clay in the county game.

"I wonder if Jimmy was playing for Bermuda against Canada the same day of the county, would Clay had said anything? I bet not.

"If Jim is chucking then St. David's has a pitcher on that team, and we all know who that is. To Clay, let's see if you pick that player again.''