THE Bolton Association has banned two Astley and Tyldesley players for bad behaviour.

Gin Pit skipper Simon Nicklin and team-mate Sean Brooks have been suspended for five games each.

Chris Hall, pro at Elton, will miss two games after the Association committee handed out a number of bans at a disciplinary hearing.

Hall and two other players were charged with bringing the game into disrepute after trouble flared at a recent game between Elton and Astley and Tyldesley.

Brooks was banned for five matches while Mike Hall, brother of the pro, received a two match ban.

Brooks' ban was the second to hit the Astley and Tyldesley club. At another hearing, captain Nicklin was also banned for five matches after an incident in the game between A & T and Golborne. All bans are subject to appeal.

Announcing the bans, Association secretary Roy Cavanagh said: "It was a disappointing incident for us to deal with but players must be aware that if these things are reported to us then we will take the necessary action."

The problems in the game between A & T and Elton arose from 'sledging' - the Aussie term for verbal abuse from one player against another.

"In my opinion this kind of behaviour is a problem in today's cricket and it is not being helped by examples seen at international and county level," he said.

League President Tom Boardman, echoed the views of the secretary and admitted: "We are fighting a battle to cut out this kind of behaviour but it is one we are determined to win.

"In this instance the umpires at the match produced a full report which enabled us to take the necessary action."

Elton will not be allowed to field a deputy professional in the two games Chris Hall will miss. The bans come into force this weekend.