First Division cricket club Willow Cuts are believed to be seeking legal advice following rejection of their request to have this year's Western Counties Cup matches switched from Southampton Oval to Somerset Cricket Club.

And it has also been suggested that Cuts could boycott this summer's cup series in protest unless their demands are met.

However, according to Western Counties president, Keith Wainwright, the matter has been blown out of proportion. Wainwright dismissed the issue as nothing more than "a storm in a tea cup".

Attempts to obtain comment from Willow Cuts' officials, who will accompany the team on a tour of Canada, starting today, were unsuccessful.

Although declining to elaborate on the matter, Wainwright confirmed that a written request had been received from Cuts to change the venue and the matter should be resolved in the "very near future". "I've heard rumours . . . about people grumbling that the game (Counties) is at Rangers or at White Hill Field, but this is the first time that I have seen it in writing," said Wainwright.

"Any changes to the venue for any Western Counties match would involve changing the constitution."

Currently the annual series alternates between Southampton Oval and White Hill Field after the respective clubs agreed on that format several years ago.

"This isn't something that has come out of the blue," added Wainwright. "Somerset Cricket Club will never host a Western Counties cricket match unless they themselves become an affiliate member of the Western Counties.

"Our constitution clearly states that Southampton Oval and White Hill Field are our two primary playing fields and are to be rotated on an annual basis.

"If for example, for one reason or the other Southampton couldn't host it this year, then the executive would have the discretion of saying, `fine, we'll approach Somerset Bridge and have the game go on up there'. But other than those two fields that's it at the present moment."

With PHC, another member of the Western Counties, expected to have their new field up and running some time in the near future, Wainwright added that the Warwick club would also have to go through the proper channels to stage County matches at their venue.

But on the present dispute with Willow Cuts, Wainwright concluded: "It's all just a misunderstanding. We have other things to do rather than to respond to things like this. We are trying to move forward. We aren't out looking for controversy because it is just not necessary."

Cuts are scheduled to open defence of their crown against last year's losing finalists, Warwick, at Southampton Oval on July 6.