The Oxford Times Cherwell League have banned four Chearsley players and docked the club 120 points after a series of "particularly nasty" disciplinary offences.

In the most serious cases, brothers Nick and Richard Grimsdell, who also play rugby for Chinnor, have been banned from playing cricket for two years.

The league acted following incidents in Chearsley's Division 3 matches against Sandford St Martin on May 19 and Hanborough on May 26.

Chearsley CC, near Thame, first team captain Neil Davies, the Grimsdells plus teammates James Veness, Russell Haynes and Ben Lazaruk were all charged with breaching the league's code of conduct.

The Grimsdells were both found guilty under rules 1.1.4. and 1.1.5, which concern abuse to umpires and players and 'sledging'.

One year of their bans will be suspended, but imposed following any further conviction.

Richard Grimsdell was also banned for a further six matches after showing dissent against Sandford.

Lazaruk was banned for eight matches, with four suspended for 12 months, after being convicted of dissent and 'sledging'.

Davies received a four-match ban, suspended until the end of the season, for failing to ensure play was conducted within the 'Spirit of Cricket'.

Haynes was charged with dissent and warned as to his future conduct.

Veness was found not guilty of abusing umpires and players and 'sledging', so had the charges dismissed.

Chearsley have been deducted 60 points immediately for not ensuring the good behaviour of their players with the other 60 deferred to the end of the season pending any further charges.

Davies declined to comment, but the club were last night meeting to discuss the punishment.

Cherwell League secretary Peter Tomlin said: "The offences were to do not only with sledging and swearing, but there was also a lot of nasty sexual innuendo.

"I umpire every week and have never heard anything like this. It was particularly nasty."