Weymouth Cricket Club coach Simon Talbot says an eight-match ban for swearing during his side's NSA Dorset League Premier Division defeat at Poole Town last month is "way over the top".

And he claims he's the victim of a witch-hunt by people jealous of the impact he has made on Cricket in the county since returning after coaching the national team in Denmark.

Meanwhile Dorchester's acting skipper Simon Joslin has been cautioned by the league for publicly criticising umpiring decisions after his side lost at Colehill in July.

The pair were dealt with at a meeting of the Dorset Cricket League's disciplinary committee, although secretary George Vincent has refused to discuss their cases.

However all-rounder Talbot said today: "I haven't received official confirmation from the league but I understand I've been banned for eight games and fined £50. If that is the case then I'm very disappointed with the decision.

"What happened at Poole was that I was bowling and the batsman edged me to the boundary for four. In frustration I swore during my follow through. I apologised to the umpire at my end because I'm experienced enough to know that there's no place on the cricket pitch for bad language.

"After the game I learned that I'd been reported, although not by the umpire standing at the end I was bowling at. Apparently it was the square leg umpire Mark Charles who made the complaint and I just can't believe the fuss that's been made.

"In my opinion it's a witch hunt. Since returning from Denmark a couple of years ago I have made a lot of things happen in the world of cricket in Dorset and I think there are some jealous people out there determined to get me.

"What really angers me is that I was not personally informed that a hearing was to take place and was not invited to attend. I've not been able to defend myself and so I will definitely be appealing against the punishment.

"I swore because I was pumped up and I apologised for my actions because I let myself and Weymouth Cricket Club down. But the punishment is over the top and I'm extremely unhappy about it."

As a fully qualified ECB coach, Talbot trains hundreds of youngsters across Dorset every week at his popular Summer Cricket Camps.

He added: "Obviously this sort of thing doesn't help when you make your living from the game but I stand by my record and reputation. I don't teach children to swear on a cricket pitch, I teach them how to play the game properly and fairly - ask any of the children and their parents."

Joslin, who is currently deputising for tinjured Dorchester skipper Tony Foot, made a personal appearance before the committee to explain comments he made to the Echo after his side went dowm at Colehill on July 12.

He complained of several "shocking" umpiring decisions that contributed to his team's downfall, including his own stumping.

He said: "I went because I wanted to put my side of it. They explained that they get a lot of trouble finding umpires, who are all unpaid volunteers, and criticism of their decisions wasn't helpful.

"My comments were only the sort of thing players often say among themselves after matches - I will just have to be more careful when I speak to the Press in future."

Vincent said a number of matters were dealt with at the monthly meeting of the league's disciplinary committee.

But he said he was not prepared to say anything about them until he had written to the clubs of the players concerned.

"If anyone comes before the committee and there is a decision made about their future then they have the right to hear that from us first," he added

Meanwhile Echosport understands that another Weymouth player dealt with by the disciplinary committee was fast bowler Glen Dawson.

He, like Talbot, was cited for swearing during the Seasiders' game at Poole and is believed to have been handed a suspended two-match ban.