The Bradford Cricket League have kicked Bankfoot out of Sunday's Priestley Shield semi-finals.

And the Division Two club have hit out at what they say is a 'miscarriage of justice.'

The league took the decision because Bankfoot fielded an ineligible player - University student and opening batsman David Priestley, who scored 127 not out when they beat Pudsey Congs in the quarter-final.

Congs have now been re-instated in the second teams competition and will play Baildon at home.

Priestley, who attends Liverpool's John Moores University, had not played the required number of league matches to qualify for the third round of the shield. Ironically, though, if Bankfoot had asked the league for permission to play him it would have probably been granted.

Bankfoot chairman Paul Rafferty has written to every member of the executive who made the decision protesting. He claims it is 'both incorrect and unjust'.

There is special provision in the rules for students and league chairman Graham Reid said: "If they had asked for permission to play him they would almost certainly have got it."

Rafferty said: "At no time did Bankfoot seek to gain any unfair advantage.

"Our committee strongly believe that the league executive have acted in haste and, as a result, a serious miscarriage of justice has occurred."

But Reid replied: "The league acknowledge that this was a genuine oversight on Bankfoot's part and no unfair advantage of any nature was intended.

"We are not doubting Bankfoot's integrity, but where do you draw the line? We will be sending a more comprehensive response to their letter."