HENLEY Bulls will play no part in this year’s Oxfordshire Cup after being suspended for fielding an ineligible player.

The 2015/16 finalists, who were beaten by Banbury at Iffley Road in March, have been banned from the competition by the Oxfordshire RFU for a year.

Bulls, Henley Hawks’ second string, fielded forward James Scaife in the final, but it came to light he had already played in an earlier round for a different club.

Scaife featured in Oxford University Greyhounds’ preliminary round defeat to Witney four months previously.

Oxfordshire RFU’s chair of competitions, Doug Bosley, said: “Following on from last season’s cup final it was brought to the attention of the Oxfordshire RFU Competitions Committee that a player that took part in the final against Banbury, James Scaife, had already played for another side during last season’s competition.

“When this fact was checked it was found he had indeed played for another club, Oxford University Greyhounds, in a previous round of the competition.

“In accordance with cup regulations this made him cup tied, and therefore Henley have been suspended from this season’s competition for playing an ineligible player.”

Henley’s press officer, Noel Armstead, said: “We are sorry we are not in it (the competition).

“As a result we will be the losers out of it, a mistake was made in administration.”

Meanwhile, the draw for the 2016/17 county competitions have been made.

Greyhounds and Witney will, once again, face off in the preliminary round of the Oxfordshire Cup on either October 15-16, with the winner facing Oxford Harlequins at home.

Holders Banbury host Grove in the first round, while Chinnor 2nd face Wallingford and Bicester take on Gosford All Blacks.

These matches are to be played on the weekend of November 12-13.

The semi-finals will take place on February 4-5, with the final scheduled for Thursday, April 13 at Iffley Road.

In the Oxfordshire Shield, Oxford University Whippets will take on Didcot for a place in the first round on the weekend of October 15-16.

Other preliminary round ties include Littlemore against Blue Boar and Wheatley playing host to Abingdon.

The first round matches are scheduled for December 3-4, with the semi-finals on January 7-8.

The shield final will take place on either March 18 or 19 at Iffley Road.

CUP DRAWS

OXFORDSHIRE CUP

Preliminary round (to be played on October 15/16): Greyhounds v Witney.

1st round (to be played on November 12-13): Banbury v Grove, Chinnor 2nd v Wallingford, Bicester v Gosford All Blacks, Greyhounds/Witney v Oxford Harlequins.

OXFORDSHIRE SHIELD

Preliminary round (to be played on October 15/16): Whippets v Didcot, Littlemore v Blue Boar, Wheatley v Abingdon.

1st round (to be played on December 3/4): Wheatley/Abingdon v Chipping Norton, Faringdon v Littlemore/Blue Boar, Alchester v Oxford, Whippets/Didcot v Harwell.