Bermuda Cricket Board of Control chief Ed Bailey last night managed to delay the inevitable when he ruled that a special meeting called by club affiliates at Warwick Workmen's Club was unconstitutional.

Disappointed club representatives, who had been aiming to oust the BCBC president and his full executive committee, met among themselves after the ruling was declared.

And later they said they were satisfied that Bailey and the BCBC top brass would today do "the honourable thing'' and resign en bloc.

Bailey left the meeting without offering any comment to the Press, but second vice-president Rudolph Lawrence revealed that the BCBC executives would be meeting today to evaluate their position -- a decision which was also relayed to the affiliates.

"A meeting will be held on Wednesday at which it will be decided whether we should resign or not,'' said Lawrence.

He made it clear that if Bailey felt that he should resign then he (Lawrence) would follow suit.

"I serve him, I'm loyal to any president I serve. But if the decision to go is made, then I will go. As far as I see it the clubs elected me and if they see fit to remove me then I have no problem with that,'' added Lawrence.

While Bailey and Lawrence remained in office last night, first vice-president Ellsworth Christopher told the meeting that he was resigning immediately.

According to sources, Bailey's ruling was based on the fact that a letter advising the BCBC of the meeting was not signed by all of the clubs. It was, therefore, unconstitutional to hold such a meeting, he claimed.

Another problem pointed out by Bailey was that the executives had nobody to hand in their resignation to.

The consensus among members, who met privately after Bailey departed, was that he was only "delaying the inevitable'' even if the proper procedure had not taken place.

The feeling was that the BCBC executives could reach no other decision today but to resign "in honour or face being dishonourably kicked out of office.'' Affiliates last night claimed that the BCBC executives received their message "loud and clear'' from the large turnout -- all but three clubs were represented at the meeting.

An individual representing the affiliates has been chosen for Bailey to contact today to communicate his decision.

Lawrence appeared confused about the desire to replace the entire executive at this stage, wondering why the clubs wanted a change, having only elected the officers in February.

"Have things in cricket changed that much, so soon,'' he asked.

Questioned on the perceived decline in local cricket, Lawrence said: "We certainly don't have the players as far as numbers are concerned.

"Look around and all of the clubs have that problem. But with so many other sports around today that are attracting players, one can understand the difficulty clubs are facing.'' He noted that back in the days when Alma (Champ) Hunt was coaching cricket in the schools -- during the '50s and '60s -- cricket was at its highest level.

But since then with no programme available in the schools, the sport was suffering.

"It they say cricket has gone back, it isn't our fault. But I guess somebody has to take the blame,'' added Lawrence.

ED BAILEY -- declared last night's BCBC special meeting unconstitutional.