CHINNOR CC have had their punishment for fielding players under false names reduced on appeal.

An OCA League appeals committee decided that one of the five cases against them could not be proven beyond doubt, and so gave Chinnor 70 points back from their mammoth 350-point deduction.

The club had been found guilty of fielding four players under false names in their Division 9 match at East & West Hendred, and a further charge of fielding a player under a false name in their Steve Dixon Cup match against Stanton St John Willows.

However, the player in question, Alastair Ritchie, confirmed to the appeals panel that he did indeed play in that game.

The club’s captain, David Coates, had his six-match ban upheld, which takes effect for the final two games of this season and first four of next season.

Chinnor also had their demotion by two divisions reduced to one, meaning they will play in Division 10 next season.

However, their fine was increased from £50 to £100, and the suspended expulsion from the league remains should they be found guilty of any further breaches.