The Cobar Cowboys have been disqualified from contesting the grand final of the Macquarie Valley Cricket Council (MVCC) Brewery Shield competition this Sunday.
An enquiry by the MVCC was carried out last week after it was suggested the Cowboys had breached the rules in their thrilling three runs win over Bourke in the semi final played in Cobar last Sunday.
There was some confusion as to the interpretation of the number of players permitted to bat or bowl.
In the semi final, the Cobar side played 13 players, however no more than 11 batted or bowled during the match.
At an executive meeting on Thursday, the MVCC deemed the Cobar team had inadvertently breached Rule 1.1 (a) of the Playing Conditions, viz, A team shall consist of 12 players …
The MVCC executive committee did not believe Cobar had attempted to gain an unfair advantage, but rather that it had been an ignorance of the rules that had led to the situation.
The committee said it was “incumbent on all captains to know and adhere to the Playing Conditions”.
Due to the breach, the MVCC has now awarded the semi final win to Bourke which means they proceed to the grand final.
Cobar District Cricket Association president Jake Harbison confirmed on Monday that Cobar would be appealing the decision as is their right under the MVCC constitution.
The Cowboys will be hoping their disqualification will be overturned so they can line up against Narromine this Sunday in the grand final.
