Cromer CC Statement - Biss Rose Bowl



"On Monday, Cromer CC withdrew from the Biss Rose Bowl Competition for 2008.

The club had played against Fakenham in the semi-final of the competition on Sunday, and in a rain-affected match, it was agreed by umpires and both captains that, provided a minimum number of overs were bowled, the result would be awarded on run rate.



Cromer were awarded the game in this manner, being 13 runs ahead of the required total when rain made it impossible to continue.

The decision to decide the game in this manner was made by both umpires, with the consent of both captains, and in consultation with Biss committee members during the rain delay that was to end the match, although the rules of the competition state that run-rate is to be used only in the early rounds of the Rose Bowl.

Subsequently, much to our surprise, and despite the Biss committee's earlier approval of the method used to obtain a result, the club has been informed that Sunday's result is void, and the match directed to be replayed.

This decision - reached after Biss officials had congratulated all involved on the application of "common-sense that enabled the game to be played" - is clearly unacceptable.

Cromer CC informed Biss officials that replaying the match was contrary to the method of deciding a result that had been agreed by umpires, captains and organising members, and that in the club's opinion the result from Sunday's game stood.

After Biss officials reiterated that Sunday's game was null and void, Cromer had no alternative but, sadly, to withdraw from the competition.

It gives the club no pleasure to take this action. Cromer's players were excited and keen to play in the final of what is a prestigious competition, and for the younger players the action taken by the Biss officials has been a deep disappointment. However, it is unfair and unnecessary to penalise either side after an agreement had been reached by all concerned - and after a game had been played to a conclusion under these circumstances - and the club feel that they should stand by the umpires’ decision, even though in hindsight the umpires may not have been technically correct.

If the umpires and organising committee are unaware of the rules of the competition then this is a matter for further discussion between those parties. The umpires' decision on this matter - as indeed all playing conditions - was deemed final by both captains and therefore a match was played and a result was reached.

The club would like to mention that it has no disagreement with Fakenham Cricket Club or players and wish them well whatever the outcome."