Southampton Rangers have put an end to their Western Counties boycott.Rangers boycotted last summer’s 50 over competition in protest of the game being played at Somerset Cricket Club who are not affiliated with the Western Counties Cricket Association (WCCA).However, the South Shore club have had a change of heart and agreed to rejoin the competition this year.Outgoing Western Counties president Gary Dowling (pictured) welcomed Rangers back into the fold.“It’s nice to see Rangers back and I’m glad this matter is resolved because Bermuda is too small for this kind of bickering and carrying on,” he said. “I’m glad that everybody is in unison and we are moving forward.”In an attempt to generate more revenue and raise the competition’s profile the WCCA proposed to stage last year’s competition at Somerset Cricket Club which was eventually approved by the majority of Western Counties members.“Last year was a nice experiment and the change up worked out perfectly and once again we thank Somerset Cricket Club for accommodating us,” Dowling said. “It was only going to be for the year and not permanent.“We were just trying to boost the game itself by taking it to a different ground and try and make a few dollars so it could be self-sufficient that was the whole idea behind it. There were some people who objected to the venue change, but most people enjoyed it and it was a nice profitable year for us so we are looking for bigger and better things this year.”This summer’s Western Counties competition will be staged at Southampton Oval with the competition officially getting underway July 7 with cup holders Willow Cuts resting their title on the line against Somerset Bridge in the first round.The winner of that match will tackle Rangers in the second round on July 14.PHC will face the second round winner in the third round on August 11 while the winner of that match will lock horns with Warwick in the final on August 25. The Western Counties has produced some of the most exciting cricket in recent years and Dowling expects that trend to continue this year.“I expect a good series with Willow Cuts doing well and Rangers weaker than in past years,” he said. “Warwick has a nice programme in place and have plenty of young people and hopefully that will bring something different to the table.”Dowling has urged fans to come out in throngs and support his association’s endeavour to keep Western Counties cricket alive and kicking.“I’m hoping that people will come out and support the Western Counties,” he said. “Hopefully the same people that took the time out to attend last year’s games in Somerset will take the time out to attend the games at Rangers this year.”