Team Rivals still dissatisfied … SVGCA says accept the decision

Team Rivals have registered their dissatisfaction with the decision of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association Inc (SVGCA) to share the award of the Super 40-over cricket final with Victors One.

The final, which was played at the Park Hill Playing Field on October 30 ended prematurely.{{more}}

And, last Saturday, the matter was reignited during the hosting of the Annual General Meeting of the SVGCA Inc at the President’s Suite of the Arnos Vale Playing Field, when Team Rivals’ interim manager Peter Campbell raised his unit’s disagreement.

Campbell, is however, of the view that with four of the executive members having ties to both outfits, the matter will be better served if taken to an independent body.

“The matter should be taken to an independent body and … we will accept the decision of that independent body,” Campbell proposed.

On the executive of the SVGCA Inc are Miles Bascombe, who plays for Victors One; Denis Byam and president Kishore Shallow, who are members of Victors Two, while Deighton Butler plays for Team Rivals.

The Super-40 premature end was triggered when standing umpire Roger Davis upheld an appeal by the Victors One players for an LBW decision against Team Rivals’ batsman Roneil Jeffrey.

Davis, on consultation with Edwards, who was at square leg, then reversed his decision to ‘Not Out,’ as it was confirmed that Jeffrey did strike the ball with his bat.

At that point, Team Rivals was 58 for 6 in the 15th over, replying to Victors One’s 86 all out in 25.1 overs.

Davis, in his report on the match admitted that he made an “incorrect” decision in his judgement, which may have led to the “mayhem” that took place at the Park Hill Playing Field on the date in question.

In his submission, Davis stated that he had consulted with his West Indies Cricket Umpires Association’s mentor, who advised him that he had erred in the situation of going to Edwards.

Shallow, in responding to Campbell’s concerns at Saturday’s meeting said the executive’s decision to declare Team Rivals and Victors One as joint champions, was done “in the interest of cricket”.

Shallow revealed that an overarching factor as well was Davis’ admittance of an error on his part.

Shallow said in addition, “We have consulted with a legal professional about this.”

The SVGCA Inc president stated that whilst Campbell is arguing that his team has a case, Victors One can argue the same way.

According to Shallow, “If you had this report (Davis’) to take to the court …it is a very easy case.”

Shallow advised Team Rivals, “Leh we not prolong this in the interest of the sport; let’s move on… We are hoping that we (have) reached the conclusion of this episode.” (RT)