Bletchingdon & Oxford Nondescripts have won their appeal against their 3rd XI being expelled from The Oxford Times Cherwell League.

Nondies 3rd were thrown out in September for breaking league registration rules.

But after hearing Nondies' appeal, the Cherwell League have decided to relegate the 3rd XI from Division 7 to 8, and dock 70 points from next season's tally.

However, the league rejected the club's appeal against their further punishments that were imposed at the same time.

These were a one-year ban on Bletchingdon & Oxford Nondescripts' 3rd XI skipper Andy Haynes from playing in the Cherwell League.

The club were also fined £350 and saw their 1st XI and 2nd XI docked 30 points and the 4th XI relegated to Division 9.

"As far as we're concerned, all matters regarding this case are now closed," said league secretary Peter Tomlin.

Nondies secretary Chris Bishop declined to comment on the result of the appeal.

In the original judgment in September, the league stated: "Over the past two seasons the officers of Oxford & Bletchingdon Nondescripts have overseen a flagrant disregard for, and the breaking of, registration rules.

"Coupled with this, a multitude of registration anomalies and discrepancies have been allowed to take place.

"In addition, during 2004, the registration rules that existed at that time were both abused and stretched to the limit, necessitating rule changes that affect all clubs within the League having to be put into operation for 2005."

The statement added that in 2005, Nondies allowed their thirds and Haynes to "ignore registration and playing rules, by failing to keep proper records or to keep any record at all for eight out of the 17 league matches played in Division 7".

Following the admission of four new teams - Henley 4th, Thame 3rd, Kidlington 4th and Horspath 3rd - the Cherwell League's bottom tier will be split into Divisions 9A and 9B for the 2006 season.