2007 St Matthews Vice-Skipper Middy Xfield was today "upset and embarrassed" as reports that he fell off a pedalo and got into difficulties in the water in the early hours of the morning.Xfield was reputedly one of several Saints stars involved in a late night drinking session which lasted into the early hours of the morning at the 7s nightclub.
Witnesses then said he made his way to Chasewater where he commendeered and dragged a pedalo from the beach to the water. Some time later he was seen rocking it from side to side until it capsized and rescue services were called to pull him from the water.
Part-time barman from Chorley and Chairman of Selectors, HT said: "The conduct of the player was unacceptable and falls below the high standards of behaviour required of St Matthews cricketers. Xfield has been given warnings for previous incidents of this nature and in light of this and due to the serious nature of the incident, we have decided to take further disciplinary action against him."
However, legendary drinker and occasional left-arm off spinner Beasty Ruscoe was more supportive of his vice-skipper: "I'm laughing. I find it all quite amusing and a total over-reaction. OK, there's 24 hours until the next net session but people react in different ways. Some players go to bed at 10.30pm tired, some go out and have a drink. Xfield's mistake was getting caught!"
