Alhambra-Union will have their sole victory of the season chalked off after fielding an ineligible player. File photo: Gerard O'Brien Alhambra-Union have been docked five hard-earned competition points. The Broncos beat rivals Zingari-Richmond 38-10 in round 10 of the Dunedin metro division 1 competition to post their first win of the season. But that win has been scrubbed from the books. Alhambra-Union fielded an ineligible player and the result has been reversed. Zingari-Richmond have been awarded a 20-0 win, and they pick up five competition points. Alhambra-Union club captain Hugh Tait declined to comment last night, but the club is understood to be devastated. Prop Jermaine Ainsley, who is understood to be returning to the Highlanders next season, played about 20 or so minutes for the Broncos. He was not registered with the club and did not appear on the team sheet. But he has played for the Broncos in the past, and AU tried to register him before the match but were unsuccessful. Otago Rugby Football Union community rugby manager Warren Kearney said once the match committee was made aware of the breach, it had to make a decision whether to let the matter go or ‘‘uphold the integrity of the competition’’. The committee opted for the latter. ‘‘One of the requirements to play rugby is they need to be registered and then they also need to be on the team sheet,’’ Kearney said. ‘‘There are rare occasions where technology goes wrong and we're not able to do it. ‘‘But normally, what would happen is we'd get a phone call or something from the club or school concerned and talk through the situation. But there was no information shared prior to the game around this. ‘‘That meant the match committee had to act on it, I guess. ‘‘We all feel for them, and no-one wants to do it, right? No-one's a winner at the end of the day. ‘‘But I guess the match committee have got regulations there in place and they've got to try and stick to them so it keeps integrity.’’ The decision means there is a reshuffle at the bottom of the competition standings. Alhambra-Union drop to last spot with five competition points, while Zingari-Richmond move into eighth place with 14 competition points. It will be heartbreaking for the Broncos, who have shown real improvement this season without getting a lot of reward for their effort. They play Green Island at Miller Park this week, while Zingari-Richmond will host Dunedin and a win could help them climb into seventh spot. adrian.seconi@odt.co.nz
