CRICKET: CORSHAM have had to settle for third place in their first season in the top flight of West of England cricket.

Nine days after the final round of matches in the West of England Premier League, Bath have been confirmed as runners-up behind champions Keynsham, with Corsham in third place.

The positions were confirmed at a league management meeting on Monday when members decided against docking two points from Bath for an alleged breach of league rules.

The confusion began after the game between Bath and Corsham nine days ago which ended in a winning draw for Bath, who were awarded nine points to Corsham's three.

That left the two teams with an identical average for the season of 12.5, with Bath being awarded second place by virtue of having gained more draws than Corsham.

But closer examination of the scorebooks revealed that Bath had taken 10 minutes over the permitted three hours to bowl their 50 overs and under league rules should have been docked two points.

With those two points docked Bath's average would have dropped below 12.5 and give Corsham the runners-up trophy.

But at their meeting on Monday board members decided to take no action.

Corsham chairman Tony Shardlow, who attended the meeting, said: "We had fair hearing and we accept the decision.

"Both captains and both umpires signed off the official scoresheet without noticing there should have been an over rate penalty.

"On the day it was very close game between two good sides and we are certainly not planning to pursue the matter any further."

There is no prize money at stake, but the runners-up receive a trophy at the league's annual dinner.