Lordswood have been docked two points for fielding an ineligible player in London 3 South East.

The deduction, which has resulted in Lordswood dropping to the bottom of the table, was invoked by the league before the club’s 23-19 defeat against Hove on Saturday.

But head coach Paul Essenhigh says the club have been punished for an innocent mistake, which was made by him at the end of last year. He explained: “We played Deal & Betteshanger in November and you have to fill in a teamsheet that goes into the league.

“I mistakenly put the wrong Christian name down for a player that had been playing for us all season.

“The league decided that we had played an unregistered player, even though they could see by going back over the games that the guy had been appearing. We are in the process of questioning the decision and will be appealing.”

Lordswood lost the game against Deal 52-3.

On the field on Saturday, Lordswood staged an impressive second-half fightback but still lost out against Hove.

Having trailed 13-0, Gareth Bramwell scored a try before Hove went 23-5 ahead by half-time.

Lordswood pulled a try back through Lee Evans and James Dorman converted. Tom Dallas then scored a converted try but time ran out.

Medway maintained their position at the top of Kent 1 with a 32-12 win at Vigo on Saturday, while Gillingham Anchorians picked up their second consecutive victory, an 18-10 success over Sheppey.

Old Williamsonians lost 32-8 at home to Shooters Hill in Kent 2.