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Brothers ko'd by rules

David Birtill
1/ 8/2008

CHORLEY were bundled out of the Dunham Forest Trophy on their home turf after local rivals Shaw Hill pointed out they had two ineligible players in their seven-man side minutes before the start.

England international Sam Stuart, 20 and his brother Tom, 17, were forced to withdraw from the country's biggest inter-club knock-out competition because their handicaps are held at St Annes Old Links, which broke Manchester Alliance rules.

The hosts had no option but to replace them but, because the matches were about to get under way, they were only able to draft in junior member Rob Heaton, who ironically won his game. Regulars Andrew Palmer and Michael Hearn were unavailable as they were playing in the English Amateur Championship at Woodhall Spa.

A man down, the 2006 winners put up a determined fight but lost the third round tie at the first extra hole after the scores were deadlocked at 3-3.

Sam said: "My biggest grumble was that Shaw Hill only told us on the night. I played in the last round at Swinton Park and no-one complained but I suppose neither club was aware of the rule."

Shaw Hill secretary Lawrence Bateson said: "It was down to Chorley to check the rules."