Copdock & Old Ipswichian’s captain, Tom Rash, is furious after his side’s match at Horsford, in the Gibbs Denley East Anglian Premier League, was abandoned because of an unfit pitch last Saturday.

Only seven overs were possible, before the umpires decided to call off the match with many deliveries having reared up off the wicket and flown over the batsman’s head.

Rash fully agreed the “right decision” was to abandon the match, believing that there was a good chance of someone being seriously injured on such a surface.

But the Suffolk county all-rounder is angry that his team have only been awarded seven points, for a draw, along with hosts Horsford.

The EAPL will be holding a special hearing today, to resolve the issue, although Rash fears that his side might not be awarded the win. There is a possibility that Norfolk hosts Horsford could be deducted points, for failing to prepare a suitable wicket, which might see them slip back into a relegation scrap.

They are currently in ninth spot, a healthy 58 points ahead of bottom club Bury St Edmunds. Only one team gets relegated, and Bury are currently 39 points adrift at the bottom.

“We only managed seven overs, and I bowled four of them,” explained Rash.

“Horsford were 12 for two, and I had taken both of the wickets. I felt that a batsman might get hurt playing on this pitch, which I hadn’t ever felt before, and I am not even the quickest of bowlers.

“It was totally the right decision to call off the match, as someone could really have got hurt, especially if a fast bowler like Merv Westfield (Frinton) or Tino Best (former Mildenhall overseas bowlers) was bowling on it.

“The umpires came together and took the correct decision to call off the match, because the pitch was simply not fit for play.

“It was a farcical situation, and one I have never encountered before. I don’t think this has ever happened before in the league.

“I find it unthinkable that this sort of thing could happen at East Anglian Premier League level.

“We feel that we should be awarded the match, and receive 25 points for a win, because we feel that we have been denied a good chance of a win,” added Rash.