St. David's captain Clay Smith (pictured) had every right to make the controversial appeal that resulted in the capture of Western Stars' crucial last wicket during the Islanders' victory in Saturday's Champion of Champions Trophy semi-final.

That, according to match umpire Lester Harnett, who yesterday shot down assertions by Arnold Manders that the appeal which resulted in his partner Wilber Burt being given out for obstruction was not in line with cricketing laws and should not have been accepted.

Manders called Smith "low" for making the appeal for obstruction after non-striker Burt kicked the ball away from Smith, who was fielding close in on the on side.

However, Harnett noted that Smith was well within his rights, and added that Burt's actions had denied the fielding side an opportunity to effect a run out at either end, as both the striker and non-striker were out of their crease.

The official complained that too often local batsmen took liberties in fielding `live' balls without permission from the fielding team, and this was something the international governing body took a dim view of.

"The law comes under the basis of transgression, which is viewed as a very serious offence in cricket, and we, the umpires, really do need to go the ultimate, because Bermuda is now playing on the international circuit, being involved in the Red Stripe, looking at the Busta Cup, as well as the ICC," said Harnett. "The umpires at these games, and at this level, are not going to overlook things that we might have in the past.

"Over the years batsmen all around the Island have made a habit of interfering with the ball, and that is actually disturbing the game. You're only able to, as a striker or non-striker, to handle the ball if a member of the fielding team asks you to.

"We are playing at a higher level these days and the ICC programme requires that players and officials rise to the occasion, so let's do it."

As to Manders' claim that the umpire should have considered declining the appeal, Harnett said such a decision would have denied Smith his rights according to the letter of the law.

Harnett said he walked over to Smith and specifically asked the player whether he was appealing for a wicket. "It would have only been out of the kindness of Clay's human feeling that he would have withdrawn his decision at that point.

"Like Mr. Manders said in the story (yesterday's Gazette), the game was at a very crucial stage, so how could you deny Mr. Smith his rights and privilege.

"He was within his rights and did not infringe . . . if anything the Western Stars player took every opportunity away from him at that time."

St. David's went on to claim the trophy after Sunday's final was rained out, completing an unbeaten season that saw them also capture the Premier League, Camel Cup and Eastern Counties Cup.