Row over ban as match no-balled

Simon Wright, of Bamford Fieldhouse

A local league cricket match was abandoned on Saturday without a ball bowled after a visiting player was barred from the ground by the host club.

Simon Wright, of Bamford Fieldhouse, was asked to leave by Heyside Cricket Club officials.

When the matter wasn’t resolved, police were called to Heyside Cricket Club. After a chat between officials from both clubs and police, Wright and his Bamford teammates left and the game was called off.

Wright was banned from attending the ground after an assault at the Saddleworth and District Cricket League annual dinner, held at Clough Manor, in 2008, and two other alleged incidents at Heyside CC.

A court case followed the first incident when the former Crompton skipper admitted his guilt and showed genuine remorse over his conduct against Anthony Winstanley and Joe Warburton, of Heyside CC.

The all-rounder was subsequently excluded from attending the Heyside ground until further notice in a letter sent to the league by the club’s committee in May, 2009.

Mr Warburton, chairman of Heyside CC, said: “Simon Wright is banned from Heyside CC.

“It’s a committee decision and the Saddleworth League is well aware of the situation.

“We welcome Bamford Fieldhouse — unfortunately not Simon Wright, because of his actions at the league dinner and two other incidents at Heyside CC.”

Andy Barton, chairman of Bamford Fieldhouse, claimed Wright was barred from Heyside only for the 2010 season after a meeting between himself and Mr Warburton.

The league had refused Wright’s registration as a Bamford player in 2009.

Barton added: “It was a very disappointing situation, especially when both teams wanted to play.

“I suppose people will say we should have played with 10 men, but we decided to make show of unity behind Simon.”

Saddleworth League secretary Trevor Harrison said: “The league committee will meet tomorrow to try to decide a course of action that is satisfactory to both clubs.

“The situation obviously cannot continue indefinitely and must be resolved.

“From the information I have, it appears the dispute is between both clubs’ hierarchy, and I must make it absolutely clear that there are no problems involving the players of both clubs, and that the relations between them are excellent.”

The two sides are due to meet in the final of the Saddleworth League’s Tanner Cup on Sunday, at Bamford.

Mr Warburton added: “It is the league’s showpiece final and I hope it is a good game. There is no animosity between Heyside and Bamford.”