Bell Park cricket scorer taken to hospital following alleged player abuse from Manifold Heights players

A Geelong cricket club scorer was taken to hospital with a suspected medical condition following an incident involving two players from a rival club.

A Manifold Heights cricketer allegedly verbally abused a Bell Park batter during a GCA3 first grade match on Saturday. Picture: Mark Wilson

An elderly cricket scorer was taken to hospital with a suspected medical condition following an alleged dispute with two players during a second-grade match between Bell Park and Manifold Heights.

Ambulance Victoria confirmed paramedics were called to an incident at Hamlyn Park around 7.15pm on Saturday, with the scorer, believed to be aged 70, taken to University Hospital Geelong in a stable condition.

It has been alleged the Bell Park-aligned volunteer scorer for the GCA3 second grade match was questioned and allegedly verbally abused by opposing players about the integrity of her scoring in a match that the Dragons won by 16 runs.

An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson confirmed the volunteer suffered a suspected medical episode and was taken to hospital.

The Geelong Cricket Association’s match review panel is investigating two incidents during Manifold Heights v Bell Park matches. Picture: Mark Wilson

League president Rob Vines confirmed it would investigate the matter, amid reports two Manifold second grade players took issue with an off field Bell Park representative.

“There was some alleged verbal abuse towards that person,” Vines said.

“It’s a couple of players towards a Bell Park person in an off field position.

“I don’t want to go into too much detail because there has been some health repercussions.

“There’s some sensitivities around all of this.

“It’s very unfortunate this has happened.

“The club leadership is extremely concerned that these two incidents have happened, they’ve taken internal steps themselves.

“It’s always good when clubs themselves undertake their own internal processes and take some action they think is appropriate.”

Manifold Heights has already suspended one of its players involved in one of the incidents. Picture: Mark Wilson

It was not the only incident between the two clubs at the weekend, with a first grade Sharks player suspended by his club for the rest of the season for alleged verbal abuse directed towards a Bell Park batter during a match at Harold Hurst Reserve on Saturday.

Manifold was thrashed by Bell Park after being bowled out for just 51.

The Geelong Cricket Association’s match review panel is also investigating the incident.

A Manifold Heights spokesperson said the club would make a statement in coming days.

Vines expected panel findings to be handed down sometime this week.

Bell Park Cricket Club has declined to comment.

It follows an incident at a GCA3 third grade match in early November, between Manifold Heights and St Albans Breakwater, where a St Albans player was suspended for the remainder of the season for physical assault.

Originally published as Bell Park cricket scorer taken to hospital following alleged player abuse from Manifold Heights players