HORLEY were forced to forfeit their points in Division 3 of the Cherwell League after Pete Papenfus bowled more than his permitted overs against local rivals Banbury 3rd.

After setting 272-7 off 53 overs, Horley bowled the visitors out for 79.

However, Banbury have been awarded all 25 points after Papenfus started his 16th over, when only allowed to bowl 15.

League rules state players are restricted to “bowling a maximum one third of the overs available at the start of the innings”.

Banbury captain – and last man – James Risbridger faced three balls of Papenfus’s extra over before alerting the umpires.

The officials ruled the match would continue with a different bowler and the matter would be resolved afterwards.

Risbridger was subsequently trapped lbw on the next ball, delivered by Jonathan Hart.

But the league have now ruled Horley must forfeit the game.

Risbridger added: “We got the rule book out and that was it.

“As captain you are meant to ask the umpire how many overs they have got.”

Horley chairman David Beck said it was just a “mistake” by captain Dave Clark.

He said: “It is the captain's responsibility to keep on top of it and clearly we didn’t – it is very disappointing.”