Major reforms to ensure the disgraceful scenes which tarnished last year?s Cup Match are not repeated could soon be in place. has learned that the Bermuda Cricket Board are currently negotiating with both St. George?s and Somerset over changes to the way in which the annual Classic is officiated ? changes which, if agreed to, could represent the most direct influence the governing body has ever wielded over the 104-year-old clash.

When pressed for comment yesterday, BCB president Reggie Pearman confirmed that the Board had contacted the clubs with a list of required reforms ? though he was unwilling to divulge at this stage what those reforms were.

It is understood, however, that if the Board ultimately gets their way, the clubs will lose the right to appoint the umpires of their choice while a Board-appointed match referee will also be employed to ensure that the Code of Conduct governing all cricket in Bermuda is properly adhered to.

Over the course of their long history, the BCB traditionally stayed clear of Cup Match, allowing the two clubs to run the event as they saw fit, this is despite the fact that the Classic is a BCB-sanctioned game and under their constitution the governing body has every right to become involved if they believe the game is being brought into disrepute.

This was certainly the case at Wellington Oval last year where St. George?s? dramatic victory was overshadowed by accusations of sledging, xenophobic taunts and a violent scuffle between two opposing players.

Pearman, meanwhile, was keen to stress that the Board have no intention of getting involved in the day-to-day administration of Cup Match, but had been forced to take action because it was their responsibility to do so in the circumstances.

?I want to take this opportunity to reinforce the point that in no respect does the BCB wish to get involved in the running of Cup Match, which the clubs have organised successfully for many years,? he said.

?But everyone is aware that there were issues that materialised last year during the Cup Match Classic and the BCB has met with both Somerset and St. George?s regarding those events.

?The events of 2005 have highlighted some serious deficiencies in the process and, as the governing body of cricket in Bermuda, we wish to ensure that necessary changes are made for the betterment of the game and to safeguard the reputation of both cricket and Cup Match.

?The BCB has contacted both the Cup Match clubs and we expect to meet with the presidents of each in the near future. Once the process has been completed the Board expects to release a combined statement.?

Somerset president Richard Scott, meanwhile, confirmed that the club had received correspondence from the BCB but had not yet met to discuss the proposals.

?We are aware of the Board?s intentions but have not yet sat down and discussed it with them or as a committee,? he said.

?Once we have done that we will look to come up with a solution which is satisfactory to all three parties and then we can move forward.?

St. George?s president Neil Paynter did not return phone calls by Press time last night.