SAGGIES' stalwart Nigel Evans has described the two-and-a-half year ban he has received from the Weymouth Evening Cricket League committee as "outrageous."
The league received a written complaint from Portland Red Triangle accusing Evans of ungentlemanly conduct after last Monday's Division One clash at Reforne and within 48 hours a decision was reached to suspend the player immediately ahead of his side's Echo Cup final meeting with RNSTS on Thursday.
Evans cannot believe such a decision was made so quickly and is now requesting a personal hearing that he hopes will takes place as soon as possible.
However, league officials are unwilling to discuss the matter further until next year's annual general meeting.
Evans said: "I did swear at one of their players during the game but it was only a bit of banter.
"He also swore at me as well but nothing has been said about that. A couple of games into the season I knocked a few runs off the bowler in question and because I only scored four the other night he turned around to me and said you are not happy about that are you?'
"My reaction was just to walk away but later in the game he then got caught out by one of our lads who does not catch very many and there was a big celebration and he was not pleased and showed it.
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"However, we all shook hands afterwards and everything was fine so to ban me automatically like they did just 48 hours later and to be told less than 24 hours before the Echo Cup final that I cannot play and should stay away from the game all together was unbelievable.
"I have now requested a personal hearing but I have been told that the matter will not be discussed until the next annual general meeting which is not until next year."
Echosport spoke with league
committee member Dr Neil Hardisty after the Echo Cup final, which was won by RNSTS, and he revealed that this latest complaint about Evans and the Saggies is not the first they have received.
He said: "Last year we received
complaints, written and verbal,
concerning the Saggies and Nigel, and we warned them about their future conduct.
"We told them that we did not want any repeat but unfortunately after Monday night's game we got another written complaint and it was not
just about swearing, it was about intimidation.
"We discussed the matter at a committee meeting and came to the decision to suspend Nigel with immediate effect. He has also been given a letter explaining that the matter will be
re-evaluated at the annual general meeting."
If this is the footballer then why am I not surprised? It certainly looks like him from the photo.
He must have been up in front the DCFA disciplinary committee so many times then he must be used to appealing
Nice to see a leopard does not change his spots
If this is the footballer then why am I not surprised? It certainly looks like him from the photo.
He must have been up in front the DCFA disciplinary committee so many times then he must be used to appealing
Posted by: weypaul, weymouth on 8:57pm Sat 5 Jul 08
Its called the spirit of Cricket, Mr Evans. If you swear at your opponent on a cricket pitch you deserve whatever you get, especially if you make a habit of it. Still, 2 years will give you plenty of time for an anger management course. And maybe you can get rid of thee yellow shorts too, they are worth a 12 month ban on their own.
Its called the spirit of Cricket, Mr Evans. If you swear at your opponent on a cricket pitch you deserve whatever you get, especially if you make a habit of it. Still, 2 years will give you plenty of time for an anger management course. And maybe you can get rid of thee yellow shorts too, they are worth a 12 month ban on their own.
Posted by: The Village Idiot, Weymouth on 12:31am Sun 6 Jul 08
Although from the two comments above Mr Evans seems to have a reputation, having played local sport in my earlier years I would say that the committee have not considered their actions. Firstly they should have got reports from the umpries who should be neutral officials. You can not ban someone on the word of another team, as if grudges are held then this kind of incident could be a regular occurance. If when the league get a report from the umpires then maybe they could do this but not until then. If the umpires report came back saying that the incident was in fact started by the opponents and not Evnas what would they do then ban a player from the other team for 2.5 years ?
Although from the two comments above Mr Evans seems to have a reputation, having played local sport in my earlier years I would say that the committee have not considered their actions. Firstly they should have got reports from the umpries who should be neutral officials. You can not ban someone on the word of another team, as if grudges are held then this kind of incident could be a regular occurance. If when the league get a report from the umpires then maybe they could do this but not until then. If the umpires report came back saying that the incident was in fact started by the opponents and not Evnas what would they do then ban a player from the other team for 2.5 years ?
Posted by: No 1 Cricket Fan, Weymouth on 12:31pm Fri 18 Jul 08
In response to the above comment. I played in the game in question and was disgusted at the actions of Nigel Evans. Unfortunately this behaviour is creeping into the evening league games, where you have members of some teams drinking alcohol before and during a game. The committee did consider their actions, as they also received a report of foul and abusive language from the umpire at the game, who was also sworn at. The game was abandoned by Portland as many of the team refused to carry on. There was no shaking of hands after the game. The game of cricket has once again been dragged into the gutter.
In response to the above comment. I played in the game in question and was disgusted at the actions of Nigel Evans. Unfortunately this behaviour is creeping into the evening league games, where you have members of some teams drinking alcohol before and during a game. The committee did consider their actions, as they also received a report of foul and abusive language from the umpire at the game, who was also sworn at. The game was abandoned by Portland as many of the team refused to carry on. There was no shaking of hands after the game. The game of cricket has once again been dragged into the gutter.
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