CRAVEN Cricket League clubs have been given a sharp warning about behaviour following an incident at a recent game between champions Thornton and Division One leaders Oakworth at Cure Hill which threatened to get out of hand.

The row arose when a Thornton player was subject to a volley of verbal abuse by some home players on his way back to the pavilion having been dismissed. His reaction was to confront some of the players who had been responsible for the sledging and an angry situation arose.

Outright violence was avoided, but the atmosphere was sufficiently charged that the umpire Derek Grainger felt it necessary to bring the matter to the attention of the league with a verbal report at the next general meeting a couple of days later.

The outcome was the decision to issue a general warning to all clubs reminding them of their responsibilities.

"I've probably heard about two or three incidents this season, but nothing has been formally reported," says Fixture Secretary, Trevor Coe. "We've also had a case where one of our umpires has resigned after being criticised by a club scorer.

"Obviously we cannot afford to lose match officials when they are in such short supply anyway, while misconduct on the field is something that always concerns us.

"The MCC laid down new guidelines this season on the code of conduct that is expected from players and this seeks to make the captain more responsible for the behaviour of his players.

"I worry that one of these situations may get out of hand and someone will find himself in a court of law as a result.

"There's no excuse for it and I'm sure that if we as a league have to deal with any player found guilty of violent behaviour, they will collect a lengthy ban.

"The incident at Oakworth was reported to the league, it is the first situation of that sort that has been officially brought to our attention and we have written to all our clubs - not just the two involved - to remind them of the standards we expect."