LUCTONIANS director of rugby Simon Green-Price has lodged an appeal 'on a point of principle' with the RFU after four points were deducted for fielding an unregistered player.

Play off hopes in Midlands Division One look to have been dashed as the club plunged from third place to fifth bottom.

Green-Price said: ''Nobody has ever successfully appealed against something like this. It is hard for an amateur club like Luctonians, promoting the game, if the RFU is going to stonewall next week.

''I would have had no problem if two points were deducted but four points is ridiculous. The error would have been picked up earlier if the league secretary hadn't been on holiday.''

Luctonians were caught out over a young player who had been abroad and who returned to come on as a late substitute on two occasions without being re-registered.

Simon Green-Price added: ''At the time, we were not looking at a play off spot only seeking to give young players first team experience. There was no way that there was deceit involved. I can only apologise to all involved with the club and the players for this genuine mistake in administration.

''I am prepared to travel anywhere to make a stand on a point of principle. There has to be some kind of flexibility.''

Luctonians have a North Midlands Cup semi-final home tie with Bromsgrove on March 27 after Kidderminster conceded the weekend quarter final.