Chinnor will be demoted to the bottom division of the OCA league and start the 2012 season with a huge points deduction after they were found guilty of fielding several players under false names.

The club were charged with four counts relating to their recent victory over East & West Hendred 2nd in Division 9, and a further charge was brought over their Steve Dixon Cup match against Stanton St John Willows.

The club admitted to fielding two players under false names, but were found guilty of a further three counts.

Against Hendred, Chinnor racked up 300-9, but played three players from Aston Rowant and one from Bledlow Ridge in the game.

Despite beating Willows, Chinnor had already been thrown out of the competition after fielding two ineligible players, before it transpired that they had also played someone under an assumed name.

At a disciplinary hearing, Chinnor were handed a 350-point deduction, dropping them from top to bottom of Division 9.

That will ensure they finish bottom and are relegated, but they will then be demoted a further division and start the 2012 season with a 150-point penalty in Division 11. They have also been fined £100.

Club captain Lee Taylor has been suspended for the remainder of the season, as has David Coates, who skippered in the Hendred match.

Wolvercote, who would have been Chinnor’s opponents in the semi-final of the Steve Dixon Cup, have been handed a bye into the final, while East & West Hendred 2nd have been awarded the victory from their league clash and given 20 points.

Chinnor have also been handed an indefinite suspended expulsion from the league.

OCA disciplinary chairman David Burns said: “The extent of the breaches were extensive and the panel very carefully considered whether these warranted expulsion.

“However, it was decided that a points deduction, fine and player suspension was appropriate.”

Brian Fagan, who is Chinnor’s secretary, treasurer, groundsman and umpire, but was not implemented in any way in this case, was frank in his assessment.

“We pleaded guilty – I don’t think that we had a leg to stand on so will not be appealing,” he said.

“We have broken the rules and must pay for it.”