Lancashire League: Vaux Bitter Cup - Darwen lodge protest (21 Aug 1998)

21 August 1998

Darwen lodge protest over Chorley sub pro Loveridge

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph

Darwen have lodged an official protest with the Northern League about Chorley's substitute professional Greg Loveridge, who had a leading role in knocking them out of the Vaux Bitter Cup.

Chorley were comfortable winners of last Sunday's semi-final when Loveridge replaced usual pro Tim Menting who was injured.

But Darwen chairman Peter Lamster said: "We are concerned that one or possibly two league regulations have been broken.

"Injured professionals should be seen by a league doctor.

"And we also believe that Loveridge may well have played a higher standard of cricket than Menting.

"People might think it is a case of sour grapes but we did query his signing before the game."

But Chorley chairman Norman Poole has branded the protest as 'a load of rubbish'.

He said: "What can you do when a guy suddenly turns round and says 'I'm injured, I'm going home and I've booked my flight for Wednesday'?"

Meanwhile, Darwen are without wicketkeeper Howard Braithwaite for tomorrow's home game against Morecambe. Chris Bolton is promoted from the seconds.

The Birch Hall side welcome back Neil Cordingley, who replaces the unavailable Nigel Robbins. Morecambe's South African pro Steve Pope is the Northern League's top run-getter.

Leaders Chorley travel to third placed Netherfield tomorrow for a match which could be crucial to the title hopes of both teams.

Champions Netherfield trail Chorley by 12 points and if they are to be successful in defending their title they cannot afford to lose this game.

A victory for Chorley on the other hand, would effectively reduce the championship chase to a two-horse race between themselves and second placed Leyland DAF, who are currently just two points behind Chorley.

Loveridge will again act as deputy professional.

Source :: Lancashire Evening Telegraph (https://www.reednews.co.uk/let/)