Dorchester title in doubt after alleged late umpire reports

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...

Dorchester won the league by four points from Poole Picture: DORSET CRICKET LEAGUE

How the Dorset Premier League table should look with penalties applied...

An updated version of the table shows Poole Town above champions Dorchester Picture: DORSET ECHO

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.

DACO wrote to the DCL confirming the alleged late reports carried unserved points penalties. One person named in the letter has been blanked out for legal reasons

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.

A spreadsheet shows Dorchester allegedly submitted three late umpire reports Picture: DORSET ECHO

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.

Poole Town did not submit a late report in the 2021 season, the documents show Picture: DORSET ECHO

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.”

When contacted by Echosport, Poole Town Cricket Club declined to comment at present.

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.

In October, the DCL relegated Weymouth after the Seasiders were found to have fielded an unregistered 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

Bere Regis submitted 12 of 13 umpire reports immediately after play stopped Picture: DORSET ECHO

Broadstone

Broadstone allegedly submitted four late umpire reports Picture: DORSET ECHO

Cattistock & Symene

Cattistock & Symene allegedly submitted two late umpire reports Picture: DORSET ECHO

Christchurch

Christchurch allegedly submitted one late umpire report Picture: DORSET ECHO

Martinstown

Martinstown allegedly submitted four late umpire reports Picture: DORSET ECHO

Sherborne

Sherborne allegedly did not submit an umpire report for their game at Martinstown Picture: DORSET ECHO

Wimborne & Colehill

Wimborne & Colehill allegedly did not submit an umpire report for their clash at Bere Regis Picture: DORSET ECHO