Two Gisborne and District Cricket Association teams will be stripped of points for playing unregistered players in their round eight McIntyre Cup matches.
Gisborne and Diggers Rest Bulla’s sides were served infringement notices for not having lodged registration forms for new players in the correct timeframe.
The teams will lose three points each and be fined under competition rules and by-laws. Both of their round eight matches were declared draws because rain washed-out day two of play.
The penalty means Gisborne would slip from third to fifth place on current ladder standings.
The Burras, last on the ladder, will slip to just under seven points behind second bottom side Lancefield.
GDCA president Rob McIntyre said there had been numerous clubs which had received similar penalties for playing unregistered players over more than 30 years.
Gisborne president Andrew Headberry said his club had appealed the decision.
“We don’t deny the infringement, but the rules on the website state the penalty for it and we won’t accept anything greater than that.
“We think the GDCA aren’t following their rules.
“It’s an overreaction to a simple administration error. It’s about a little bit of paper not being in the right hands at the right time.”
Diggers Rest Bulla president Sean Fitzpatrick said the club did not want to comment.
