Thornton lodged a formal protest after one of the spectators noticed that Harrogate were fielding 12 players during their innings.

The umpires decided that in the spirit of the game it was right to continue but they would ask Harrogate to forfeit the points.

Haley said both umpires apologised after the game for failing to count the number of fielders.

However, the league have now decided that the two points should be awarded to Harrogate but that they should be reprimanded as their actions were not within the spirit, or best interests, of the game.

In making their decision, the League relied upon an ECB judgment last year over a similar situation in a Nidderdale League game between Hampsthwaite and Goldsborough.

Haley said they have a right of appeal but probably will not exercise it.

“From my own personal and unofficial perspective, I find the decision utterly unbelievable,” he said.

“We had 12 players on the night but obviously only fielded 11. We should have played all 12 given the apparent endorsement by the ECB.

“I just can’t work out how the ECB were looking into something like a registration issue with Yorkshire but they’re not doing anything about a team who fielded 12 players.”

Chairman of Harrogate Miles Rawlings, who was playing in the match, said they regretted the incident, which was a mistake on their part.

He said as soon as it was brought to their attention he immediately left the field of play but said they left it to the umpires to see if they wanted to take any further action.

“It was just a simple mistake,” he said.

“As soon as we realised we had 12 on the pitch we removed a player. I came off the field as soon as we found out.”