HENLEY 2nd have been handed big punishments after they played an unregistered player under another name earlier this month.

The incident occurred in the Division 2 game against Tiddington on Saturday, June 10, when Henley fielded Jon Hancock, but put the name of Jeremy Palmer on the league report form.

At a hearing to consider Tiddington's complaint, the league's executive committee agreed that Henley had committed the offence and decided on the following penalties.

Henley 2nd would have 120 points deducted.

The Henley captain Kevin Murray would not be eligible to play again in the Cherwell League until August 5 this year The registration of Jon Hancock would not be completed to allow him to play in the league before August 5.

Henley have until tomorrow to lodge an appeal, which would be heard by a panel of three people, none of whom took part in the original hearing.

Henley chairman Paul Bradbury said the decision whether to appeal would be made at a committee meeting last night.

When this misdemeanour came to light, Henley were docked the 30 points they gained for their victory, to add to the ten points they had already lost for other penalties this season.

This latest punshment drops Henley to the bottom of the league with minus 42 points, leaving them a huge 125 points off safety.

Hancock, elder brother of Gloucestershire player Tim, is a long-standing Henley member, but he did not play for Henley last season, and had not been re-registered as the league rules demand.

Asked for his reaction, Murray did not want to comment until he had spoken to other club officials.