BRADFORD Dudley Hill's first team manager Steve Wright has reluctantly accepted his side's suspensions after their ill-tempered National Conference League clash with Leigh Miners, but believes the financial penalties imposed were harsh.

Hill, who had already had Neil Wall sent off for dissent, were trailing Leigh MR 32-6 after 58 minutes when a brawl ensued and referee Jamie Barr called a halt.

Andy Walker (Hill) and Calum Coleman (Rangers) were sent off and Kyle Bateman (Hill) and Rob Crompton (Rangers) were sin-binned.

The Bradford side were heavily punished at this week's disciplinary hearing into the matter. Wall was found guilty of foul and abusive language towards the match official and handed a two-match ban and a £40 fine.

Walker was sanctioned for running in and punching, landing him a £60 fine and a three game suspension.

Water carrier Shaun Jackson received an eight-match ban, four for entering the field of play, and four running in and punching. He was also fined £80.

The club themselves were charged £125 for brawling and £100 for causing the match to be abandoned. They were also warned for allowing a suspended player to take part in the contest and failing to provide information to the match official.

Wright expressed his dismay at the severity of the fines, and he feels that it is a matter that the league needs to address.

He said: "When you listen to the reasons why we've been punished, you could argue that it's fair enough, even though Leigh Miners were the ones that started throwing punches.

"They were going to come down harder on us because we had disciplinary problems last year. The thing I find is that the bans and fines are in line with, if not worse than, Championship level.

"We're all amateur clubs, and the players have to work. Then there's all the fines being handed down to the club."

Wright was also unimpressed with the league's scheduling. They face Lock Lane tomorrow night in Division One of the Kingstone Press National Conference League, their second of three-consecutive away games.

Without the opportunity to host games, Dudley Hill are being left further out of pocket, and Wright said: "The league are leaving us with big gaps.

"We played last Saturday at Thornhill, then we go to Lock Lane and Pilkington Recs. We've got nigh on four weeks without any income at the club.

"It's difficult and the league need to be a bit fairer with how they dish the games out. You're never going to get it where you're always home and away consecutively but I don't think you should go more than two games without a home match.

"Unfortunately, that's what happens when people start putting requests in, things get moved around to suit others. We've just got to grin and bare it and see how we go though."