Southampton Rangers have yet to appeal against the Western Counties Cricket Association’s decision to strip them of their title.

Rangers, the cup holders, refused to play last weekend’s second round of the 2015 Western Counties series at Southampton Oval and Willow Cuts, the challengers, were declared winners by default.

The opposing teams were at odds over the eligibility of guest players George O’Brien and Chris Douglas who were included in Cuts’ line-up.

Kim Jackson, the acting Western Counties official, confirmed that the club has yet to appeal and have until early next week to do so or else the association’s original decision will stand.

“No official appeal has been submitted and they have until 5pm on Monday to submit an appeal,” Jackson said. “Once we receive an appeal we will put together a committee that will review their appeal. The committee has been notified of the potential and will await until 5pm on Monday.”

Cuts were awarded the cup after the association deemed that they had not broken any rules.

“Acting officials of the Western Counties Cricket Association reviewed the events that led to the abandonment of the game and they concluded that there was no reason for Rangers refusing to play and awarded the cup to Willow Cuts,” Jackson said.

Dexter Basden, the Willow Cuts coach, added: “Their take was that guest players for Willow Cuts were put in at the last minute, which wasn’t true.”

Rangers opened their cup defence on July 4 with a massive 252 run victory in the first round against challengers PHC at Southampton Oval.

Should the association’s decision stand, Cuts will face challengers Somerset Bridge in the third round at Southampton Oval on August 8.