Joint Premier Division leaders Social Club breathed a huge sigh of relief yesterday after Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) allowed their May 20 four-wicket win over fellow league title contenders St. David's to stand.

The Islanders had protested against the result on the grounds Social Club's West Indian signing Ricky Hoyt ¿ son of former West Indies wicketkeeper David Murray and grandson of Sir Everton Weekes ¿ was ineligible to play.

However, the Eastern Counties champions' pleas apparently fell on deaf ears with the Board closing the book on the matter late yesterday afternoon via a written press statement.

"The Executive Committee (BCB) confirmed that the registration of Ricky Hoyt is valid and that he is an eligible player. Therefore the original result of the game played stands." The statement read: "On June 4, 2007 the BCB received a letter dated May 30 from St. David's requesting that the Board investigate the claim that in playing Ricky Hoyte Young Men's Social Club fielded an ineligible player.

"Bye-Law 12 (a) states that all players participating in Board sanctioned or Board organised competitions must be Bermudian or be resident locally and be legally and gainfully employed.

"The original intent of Bye-Law 12 (a) was to prevent clubs from utilising non-nationals in a transitory manner to improve club results. And in arriving at its decision the Executive Committee considered a copy of a letter from Department of Immigration, dated October 31 2006, confirming that Ricardo Hoyte has been granted 'permission to reside in Bermuda and seek employment prior to his marriage, August 4, 2007'.

"This distinguishes his status from prior years when his registration was refused as he had no substantive ties to the Island."

When contacted last night, St. David's cricket chairman Eddie Lamb admitted he was disappointed over his club's failed protest, and did not rule out the possibility of appealing against the Board's final ruling.

"I am a bit disappointed by the result but presumably due diligence has taken place," he said. "We are in no position to protest at this time. I will have to confer with club management first and if there is an appeals process then that's the avenue we may have to take."

Social Club player/coach Charlie Marshall declined to comment when reached last night. With both teams currently tied at the top, the race for the championship will now be decided during this weekend's final round of matches.

St. David's are at home to relegated Flatts at Lord's while Social Club hosts defending league champs Southampton Rangers at Devonshire Recreation Club.

Should both teams remain tied following this weekend's final round then the eventual league champion will be decided on head-to-head matches between the two clubs, with Social Club having already swept the summer league series beween the two sides earlier this summer.