Holliday issued with ban (From Western Telegraph)

Holliday issued with ban

2:00pm Wednesday 22nd August 2012 in Pembrokeshire sports news

Haverfordwest skipper Simon Holliday has been banned for seven weeks, four of them suspended, following an investigation by the Pembroke County Cricket Club (PCCC).

The ban relates to an incident between the Cresselly and Haverfordwest fixture on June 23rd, when umpires Tony Scourfield and Allan Hansen abandoned play at the tea interval, after The Town had posted 223-6. Allegedly, the decision upset Holliday, and a derogatory remark about Scourfield later appeared on the Haverfordwest Cricket Club website. PCCC secretary Steve Blowes told Telegraph Sport on Monday that the investigation was "still ongoing", but chairman Dave Loosemore confirmed a decision had been made. The seven week ban, four of which will be suspended for two years, will not come into place until the beginning of next season. Loosemore declined to comment further.

Holliday himself said he intended to appeal and explained his actions of the day in question.

"We were only asking if we could go back out and play because we knew the weather was scheduled to change," he said. "That was the reason for questioning the umpires." He also apologised for the website remark, adding: "I was under the impression the site was for club members only who had to log in," he said.

"That site is just a bit of silly fun between teammates, I understand it was a mistake to post the remark and on behalf of the club I have apologised for that."

Holliday, who also confirmed he will be standing down as Haverfordwest captain at the end of the campaign, has been one of the county's leading batsmen over the last two seasons.

Last year, he finished the league season with three centuries and an incredible average of 134.28, the highest ever known in the county.