PORTSMOUTH V HAMBLEDON - SATURDAY 28 AUGUST 2010

This match was scheduled to be among the final round of fixtures on 28 August 2010 and was effectively a Division 3 championship decider between Portsmouth, the overnight leaders, and Hambledon, who were in second place. Tichborne Park (in third place) had the capability of finishing runners-up, should they have beaten Easton & Martyr Worthy and the fixture at St Helen’s been played.

The Portsmouth-Hambledon match did not take place as the pitch at St Helen’s Field, Southsea, on which they play their home fixtures, was not prepared.

Exceptionally heavy rain arrived and fell on Wednesday 25 August and did not clear the area until circa midday on Friday 27 August 2010.  The contractors, working on behalf of Portsmouth City Council, announced at 1.25pm (27/8) that they lacked time to prepare a pitch.

The match was officially cancelled at 10.30am on Saturday 28 August (following a formal inspection by the designated South Coast Panel umpire) as there was no pitch prepared and no ability to prepare one.

An investigation surrounding the events leading up to the cancellation of this match was undertaken by Southern Electric Premier League representatives.

Their conclusion is that the cancellation of this cricket match, whilst avoidable in hindsight and recoverable if Portsmouth Cricket Club had the ability to prepare a pitch on the day, had a rational explanation. 

Therefore, Portsmouth CC are confirmed as the winners of Division 3, with Hambledon CC as runners-up.

All clubs directly affected have been informed separately.

STEVE VEAR, General Secretary