SPCL start crack down on bad on-field behaviour

The Southern Electric Premier League have launched their "get tough" crackdown on bad on-the-field behaviour by banning Hungerford bowler Jason Williams.

The Berkshire-based paceman has been suspended for 2 matches, for abusing a match official at the New Milton-Hungerford Premier Division 3 game on May 24.

An additional two week ban has been suspended until August 2004.

Williams, who has also been reprimanded by his own club, was withdrawn from the Hungerford attack after conceding 47 runs in eight overs at Fernhill.

The immediate action taken by the Club was endorsed by the discilinary committee and as a consequence the ban of 3 weeks plus I week suspended was reduced to a 2 weeks ban plus 2 weeks suspended

New Milton went on to pile up 279-8 before heavy rain saved the day with Hungerford reeling at 59-6.

The three-match ban slapped on Williams comes hard on the heels of a stern behaviour warning sent out to clubs by the Premier League at the start of the season.

"Everyone has been told that we will not tolerate bad behaviour, particularly verbal abuse directed at umpires," emphasised SPL chairman Alan Bundy.

"Umpires are there to enjoy the game as much as the players and one of the reasons for the present shortage of officials is because of the excessive appealing and questioning of decisions that goes on."

Williams missed Hungerford's win over South Wilts II last week and will sit out today's game at Ventnor and that against Havant II next week before being eligible to play against Winchester KS.

Hungerford, who lie second in Premier 3, subsequently suffered a second severe blow when skipper Owen Dawkins broke his wrist while bowling for Wales MC in last weekend's Minor Counties Championship innings defeat against Wiltshire at Pontypridd.

Dawkins, who was on the Lord's Groundstaff several seasons ago, was unable to get out of the way of a blistering return drive, which broke his wrist.

The gallant Hungerford captain, who has recruited Wales MC colleague Dai Lloyd to the Berkshire club, came out to bat with his wrist plastered but was unable to save the Welshmen from defeat.

Russell Rowe, out of touch with the bat so far for South Wilts this season, hit 128 of Wiltshire's massive 434-7.