Steeton have suspended one of their key players - all-rounder Stuart Hudson - for the rest of the season following another verbal outburst in their recent game at Rawdon.

Hudson's behaviour has been a source of concern for Steeton and league officials this season. An outburst in a game against Guiseley in June resulted in club captain Russell Newton packing up and switching to golf and another verbal attack in a game against neighbours Silsden resulted in a complaint from the umpires and a two-match suspension by the League.

The club's decision to impose a ban pre-empts what would seem to be an inevitable league reaction when officials meet to consider the umpires report, but it comes at a crucial time in the season for the defending champions.

They still have an outside chance of retaining their title if they can win their last three matches, starting with a home game against Beckwithshaw tomorrow and continuing with a trip to Follifoot and a home finale against Skipton.

Guiseley currently lead Division A with 79 points, one ahead of Adel, with Steeton third on 73.

Steeton's hopes of making up ground on the leaders were hit by bad weather at the weekend. In a match reduced to 37 overs, Steeton's total of 182-8 was very useful.

Guiseley finished at 160-5 to deny Steeton the points they needed.