PENALTIES for alleged late umpire reports have not been applied to the 2021 Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League table, Echosport can reveal.
The revelations mean that Poole Town, and not champions Dorchester, should have won the league.
Last season Dorchester beat rivals Poole by just four points, securing the title on a dramatic final day.
However, the drama has continued into the off season.
Echosport has obtained documents revealing seven of the nine Premier League clubs have allegedly submitted late umpire reports.
Leaked files, when cross-referenced with the final league tables, show Dorset Cricket League (DCL) officials have failed to apply penalties to five clubs in the division for the alleged late reports.
READ MORE: How Dorchester won the 2021 Dorset Premier League title
One of those, Dorchester, has allegedly submitted three late umpire reports, amounting to a deduction of 10 points.
It means Poole Town would have won the league by six points – if the DCL had enforced the penalties.
How the Dorset Premier League table looks without penalties applied...
How the Dorset Premier League table should look with penalties applied...
Echosport has also obtained a letter written by figures at the Dorset Association of Cricket Officials (DACO) informing the DCL of the alleged late, or non-submitted, reports.
Dorset Premier League and County Division One clubs are given a maximum of three days post-match to submit umpire reports to DACO.
Reports score the performances of the two umpires standing in games in Dorset’s top two divisions and are monitored by the DCL.
For a first offence, clubs are given a £30 fine. Upon each subsequent offence, clubs are deducted five points.
Echosport twice contacted the DCL for a response to the allegations, why the penalties had not been applied mid-season and whether the league table would be updated.
Yesterday, the DCL’s League Management Committee replied: “We do not comment on unsubstantiated reports.”
Documents show Dorchester, below, submitted their alleged late reports after home games against Broadstone and Christchurch, plus the away trip to Bere Regis.
Martinstown allegedly submitted four late reports – one of which came 17 days late.
Sherborne and Broadstone also allegedly submitted four late reports, Cattistock & Symene just two and both Christchurch and Wimborne & Colehill one each.
Poole Town, below, and Bere Regis were the only teams to have a clean record in the 2021 season.
Full details of the other seven clubs' umpire reports are below.
Echosport also understands at least two clubs in County Division One have not had points sanctions applied for late umpire reports.
Responding to the developments, Dorchester chairman Mark Derrien told Echosport: “I have spoken to our secretary and can confirm that we have not received any information regarding this alleged matter.
“Under my leadership Dorchester Cricket Club (has) made great strides in both our conduct towards umpires on the pitch and creating a welcoming environment for them off the pitch.
“I believe we are leading the way in how we interact with umpires and I would be surprised if Dorset umpires had anything other than praise for Dorchester Cricket Club.”
Echosport has contacted Poole Town Cricket Club for a response to the revelations.
League officials are thought to be reluctant to change the league table post-season.
However, the allegations come after the league’s disciplinary panel punished players and clubs for misdemeanours during the season.
Post-season, the DCL relegated Weymouth after the Seasiders were found to have fielded an ineligible player three times, leading to an 80-point penalty.
Echosport understands a number of clubs in Dorset have been angered by how disciplinary decisions – involving other teams and players – have been applied this season.
Bere Regis
Broadstone
Cattistock & Symene
Christchurch
Martinstown
Sherborne
Wimborne & Colehill
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