by Chris Travers

CHECKLEY have been hit with a massive 100-point penalty for the confrontation which followed the abandonment their match against Ashcombe Park in May.

Umpires Barry Brereton and Peter Bucknall declared the Division Two match drawn at 8.45pm because the sun was causing them and the players serious visibility problems.

Checkley were on 173-8 at the time with six overs of the game remaining to get the 177 they needed to win.

A disciplinary panel heard that the decision to halt the game sparked a "melee" involving "30 to 40" players, officials and spectators outside the pavilion.

Ashcombe Park chairman Steve Goodwin was said to have been "man-handled" during the confrontation, while his Checkley counterpart, Royston Carr, was abused for attempting to restore calm.

A two-night hearing of the North Staffs and South Cheshire League disciplinary committee imposed the massive points deduction on promotion-chasing Checkley – half of which is suspended until the end of next season. They also fined the club £250.

Checkley captain Andy Carr, who first drew the umpires' attention to the visibility problems while he was batting, was reprimanded for failing to control his players.

He was also accused of verbally abusing Ashcombe Park players, but the disciplinary committee found the evidence for this "inconclusive".

His brother Gavin, who is also the club's vice-chairman, was banned for two matches, starting this weekend, for his role in the incident.

He was accused of intimidation and of verbally abusing Ashcombe Park wicketkeeper Steve Proffitt, who had also complained about not being able to see the ball.

However, the disciplinary committee praised the actions of Checkley players Justin Grainger and John Pickles for their attempts to diffuse the situation.

Ironically, South African fast bowler Grainger was at the centre of a player payments row last season that saw Checkley docked 70 points by the league – a penalty which effectively ensured their relegation from Division One.

Andy Carr said: "The ruling came as a shock. People have got their own opinions and we need to discuss the situation properly before making any decisions.

"We shall have to see what happens, but this is a huge blow and sets us back a long way.

"These are the tough times which prove a person's character and I certainly have no regrets I came back to my home club.

"We are a strong squad with a cracking backbone and I'm sure we can move forward together."

Ashcombe Park skipper Dave Goodwin added: "We never made a complaint against Checkley and it was only after an umpire's report that we were required to give evidence."

Although no-one from Checkley was prepared to comment on the matter last night, club chairman Royston Carr apologised at the hearing, saying "he was and remained embarrassed" by the incident.

No-one from the North Staffs and South Cheshire League was available to comment on the incident or Checkley's punishment last night. Checkley were due to hold a meeting last night to decide whether to lodge an appeal.

Checkley's punishment follows on from their 70-point deduction last year for paying South African bowler Justin Grainger, which saw them relegated from Division One.