LUCTONIANS' exit from the NPI Cup was via the worst route possible - expulsion because one of their players was cup tied.

On the surface it looks a clear cut case, inside centre Dean Rodwell played in the 34-0 round four victory over Bridgnorth but broke the rules because he had played for his former club Newcastle (Staffs) in round one.

Rodwell signed for Luctonians in the summer as his new job meant he was moving to live in Herefordshire.

But his actual move was not until the end of October and with his former club struggling for players they approached Luctonians about a loan.

Sportingly Luctonians agreed, they de-registered the player and allowed him to play a handful of games before his move to Kingsland.

Unfortunately during that brief spell he played what has proved to be his fateful first appearance in the cup.

Luctonians' system then somehow let them down and the player also played without thinking of the consequences.

Twickenham spotted the mistake, kicked Luctonians out and handed the lucrative fifth round tie at home to Darlington to Bridgnorth.

Not only has the option of a replay been ruled out, the RFU have acted way too late as Rodwell also played in round two against Lichfield and round three at Droitwich so they both have a claim to be reinstated.

Luctonians feel they have been hard done by, especially as multi-million pound Premiership club West Ham are being given a second chance after making the same mistake in football's Worthington Cup.

"If West Ham can get it wrong then a rugby club like ourselves can make the same mistake," said director of rugby Simon Green-Price.

"If we had been a top club we would have got away with it and West Ham have shown what can happen, they're being allowed to replay their game.

"If this had happened to Worcester you can be sure that Les Cusworth would have been able to sort it out.

"We did as we were asked, registered the player properly and the crazy thing is that he had already played against Lichfield and Droitwich."

Luctonians have only ever reached the fifth round once before when they lost to Broadstreet three years ago so the Darlington match was eagerly anticipated.

"It was a nice draw for us, it was a good thing for the area and a good thing for rugby in general," added Green-Price.

"The RFU made a mess of the World Cup but we had got people talking about the game again.

"We sold 13 tables within four days of the draw so that was already 130 people coming to the match but then the RFU turn around and say sorry, no way."

Luctonians might not be blameless but their honesty remains intact in what is another episode which has done nothing to help the game.

Thursday, December 22, 1999.