THE West of England Premier League will look into complaints about the final day cancellation at Lydney which effectively saw both Goatacre and Marlborough relegated from the Glos/Wilts Division, writes GARETH MOORHOUSE.

With both sides needing a win to salvage their season, the outcome was decided as early as Friday, when Lydney’s match at home to Marlborough was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.

As a result, Lydney maintained their points average to ensure survival, while Goatacre and Marlborough were relegated to the Wiltshire Division.

No competitive cricket has been played at Lydney’s Swan Road ground since July 26th, and the league have now been asked to investigate whether the club sought any alternative venue.

Goatacre captain Sam Parish insists his team have “only ourselves to blame” for their relegation, but admits the controversy over the recent spate of cancellations has left a bitter taste in the mouth.

Parish said: “We went into the final game thinking we had all to play for, only to find out we were relegated before a ball had even been bowled.

“The one way Lydney would be guaranteed to stay up was by not playing, and that’s what happened.

“We were given clear instructions by the league last year that first team cricket was to take priority if only one game was able to go ahead.

“As Lydney’s match was called off as early as Friday, could the first team fixture have not been switched to Marlborough?

“I have sent Chris Pannell (WEPL administrator) an email to ask about the rumours going round.

“We’re not looking for an excuse to save us, we just want to know if anything will be done about the situation with Lydney.”

Goatacre’s crushing eight-wicket win at Marshfield now looks to be in vain, with Westbury’s demotion from Premier Two ensuring two sides were relegated from Glos/Wilts.

Marlborough’s slim hopes of survival were ended on Friday, and they too have asked the league to investigate the problems at Swan Road.

Captain Nick Crabbe said: “Lydney have not played a home game since July because their ground has been saturated.

“I’m not sure whether they have tried to do anything about it, whether they have tried to find another ground.

“It was very disappointing not to get a game in. We wanted to finish on a high and for once the weather was great on Saturday.

“But again, we only have ourselves to blame really.

“We didn’t put enough runs on the board all season and in the end it has cost us.”

The WEPL cricket committee, headed up by chairman Chris Norton, will meet on September 8 to discuss the issue of Lydney’s ground arrangements, with no decision to be taken until after that meeting.