Bermuda Cricket Board have played down allegations reported in The Royal Gazette last week claiming this year's Annual General Meeting was "unconstitutional."

In a statement released by the Board yesterday - five days after the report - officials insisted the meeting "took place in an orderly fashion and in accordance with common practice."

But the BCB failed to address or explain any of the specific issues that were raised in The Gazette article, information for which was obtained from three sources, all of whom were present at the AGM.

And BCB president Reggie Pearman continues to decline comment on the matter, which according to one of The Gazette sources, could spill over into the courts and/or result in the resignation of top officials.

It was alleged in The Gazette story, published last Friday, that BCB executives attempted to pull the wool over affiliates' eyes by voting on amendments at the AGM which violated section 10 of the Board's constitution. That section states: "Any amendment or addition to the constitution requires an initial recommendation from the Board and subsequent assent of not less than two-thirds of the voting members present at a properly constituted general meeting of the council."

According to the constitution, a general meeting should have followed the AGM to provide affiliates ample time to review and relay the information back to their respective clubs.

Only the roll call of officers, the president's notices, business arising from the minutes, the yearly financial report, review of constitutional and bye-law changes and the election of officers were clearly outlined on the cover of the AGM agenda. The proposed changes were suspiciously concealed on the back of the document.

Bye-law 21 of the constitution states: "Amendments can only be made to the bye-laws on the condition that they are included on the agenda during an earlier meeting and subsequently approved at a regular meeting" - not at an AGM.

Sources also told The Gazette that BCB first vice-president Gary Fray, president Reggie Pearman, secretary Charlotte Simons and treasurer Neil Speight violated the constitution by voting as `vacated officers' when, according to BCB regulations, they are only permitted to nominate.

Questions were raised as to which clubs they represented as each affiliate is allowed only two votes. Pearman and Simons traditionally represent Somerset CC, Gary Fray Warwick Workmen's Club while Speight doesn't represent any club.

Sources told The Gazette that Anthony Bailey and Dwayne Simmons represented Somerset at the AGM while Webster Tucker and Mike Watson were present on behalf of Warwick.

While expatriate Speight serves as the Board's treasurer, the constitution states clearly that all executive members must be Bermudian.

It was also alleged that BCB officials unconstitutionally altered the Board's official title from Bermuda Cricket Board of Control to Bermuda Cricket Board.

Following Friday's story, Shadow Minister for Sport Cole Simons said he would be meeting with BCB officials sometime this week.

"An independent party needs to look into this matter because a lot of people are involved and impacted by it (allegations) and Government is subsidising funds donated to this cricket board of control," Simons was quoted as saying in Saturday's Royal Gazette.

According to a copy of the BCB's financial report of last year, the governing body received $313.329, $227,482 of which came from Government.

Yesterday, however, the BCB insisted that nothing untoward had occurred during the AGM.

"There have been several allegations reported in recent weeks in articles in TheRoyal Gazette relating to the Bermuda Cricket Board and specifically that the constitution of the BCB was offended when certain decisions were taken at the Annual General Meeting held in March, 2003," read the statement.

"The AGM was called and the notice of the meeting and an agenda was circulated in accordance with the bye-laws. The meeting took place in an orderly fashion and in accordance with common practice. All authorised representatives of the general members were afforded the opportunity to speak at the meeting.

"The BCB as an organisation continues to evolve and strives to govern, promote and develop the playing of cricket in Bermuda, and accordingly always remains open to any suggested changes from its general members to further these purposes. Any suggested changes must be notified directly to the BCB so that they can be considered in the appropriate manner in accordance with the constitution of the BCB.

"Since the Annual General Meeting there have been no notification of suggested amendments to the constitution or complaints communicated to the BCB with respect to the manner in which the Annual General Meeting took place or otherwise.

"We trust that this puts an end to the continuing allegations and speculation as paraded in the media as they only serve to damage the reputation of cricket in general in Bermuda and undermine the hard work and effort that continues to go into the running of the BCB by its elected representatives in particular. The BCB takes this opportunity to wish all of its members, players, officials and supporters a great season."