Bailey's Bay all-rounder Dennico Hollis believes that the community will suffer the most from St. David's' withdrawal from the 2010 Eastern Counties competition after the club made it official that they won't be defending their crown.

The decision to pull out of this year's competition stemmed from an Eastern Counties meeting where members voted unanimously in favour of having the series played at Sea Breeze Oval for the second straight year.

St. David's, who were scheduled to be the hosts this year, were said to be upset at the decision and took a tough stance.

Hollis, however, believes it is the fans of all the clubs who will lose out by this decision, not just one club.

"County cricket, especially Eastern County, is the biggest community event of the year for those areas involved after Cup Match," said Hollis. "It is for the fans and people look forward to Bailey's Bay, St. David's, Flatts, and Cleveland playing against each other, and now with the champions not playing it will be a setback for this year's Counties.

"I just hope that it doesn't upset the whole atmosphere of the competition because it is a social event, a sporting event, and a community affair and not having them in it does take a little bit away from it all.

"It is good to hear all the fans cheering on their team, and to trash talk, especially Bay and St. David's fans, but that won't be happening this year, so we will have to take this all in stride."

The first round of the Eastern Counties will now be played on August 14 between newly crowned champions Cleveland County and Flatts Victoria at Sea Breeze Oval, with the original first round date becoming a family fun day.

While the remaining clubs are trying to make adjustments to their plans for an assault on the Eastern Counties Cup, Hollis threw a verbal jab at his arch rivals, claiming that they should lose their crown on the field rather than simply handing it over without a fight.

"I am a little disgruntled because they think they are the better team and if they really feel that way then maybe they should defend their crown, lose the crown outright not by not playing at all.

"I see where they are coming from but it is bad for the game.

"At the end of the day, we have to play our game regardless of what goes on at other clubs.

"Whether it's Cleveland or Flatts, the task is to win County and this is as good a chance as any.

"Whatever it comes down to, Bailey's Bay want to win the Cup and that is still our aim."

Tareek Somner, team manager of Bay added: "I'm not sure if it was a team, management or decision by the members but I feel it was a selfish move. County games are just as important if not more important to the fans as it is to the players.

"I know certain Bay players who only attend the county matches that Bay play,but I myself have attended every single County ever since I started walking.

"St. David's should definitely rethink this decision because fans long for a good opening County match.

"Cricket has a way of bringing people together. The fans (rivals or not) in the camp spots develop strong relationships over the years, exchange words even when cricket season is over about how much they look forward to meeting up again for the next County match."