Southampton Rangers have lost their appeal against the Western Counties’ decision to strip them of their title, acting association official Kim Jackson has confirmed.

Rangers, the cup holders, refused to play last month’s second round of the competition 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.

Cuts were awarded the cup after acting association officials deemed that they had not broken any rules and will now face challengers Somerset Bridge on Saturday.

n George O’Brien, the St George’s vice-captain, accepted an official reprimand after he showed dissent towards the umpires on the first day of Cup Match.

The seam bowler was not impressed when his appeal for an lbw was turned down, and was reported by on-field umpires Kent Gibbons and Emmerson Carrington with breaching the code of conduct.

O’Brien admitted the offence, and accepted the sanction handed down by Roger Dill, the match referee.