Ricky Brangman, the Southampton Rangers cricket coach, has questioned how the Western Counties could strip his club of their title before they were allowed to have their say at a hearing.

Last month Rangers refused to play against Willow Cuts who intended to field guest players George O’Brien and Chris Douglas in their line-up.

The club appealed the initial decision but have not been granted a meeting with the WCCA.

“[The Western Counties] told us about the appeal committee and we said OK, I asked the president [Gerri Saltus] when are we going to the meeting and we never did,” Brangman said. “[The WCCA] decided to give the cup to Willow Cuts and we didn’t even have a meeting with them.

“You appeal, they formed a committee but you never go in front of the appeal committee to represent yourself? They [O’Brien and Douglas] were not on the teamsheet and they had another player, Ryan Shepherd, who was on the field to play, but you are only allowed two guest players, not three.

“Ryan played for two years for Somerset Bridge and when you go from one team to another team in the Western Counties, you cannot play. That’s why Hasan Durham couldn’t play [for Rangers] because he played for PHC.

“When he came to Rangers they informed us he’s not eligible to play [in the Western Counties]. There is a time period you have to wait. So how can Ryan Shepherd play for Willow Cuts? He was on the field and the teamsheet.”

The Western Counties does not have a functioning executive committee, with Cal Waldron and Kim Jackson serving as acting WCCA officials.

The Central Counties are struggling to remain vibrant with only two clubs remaining before North Village came on board for the first time this season.

Meanwhile, the Eastern Counties, the most popular of the three counties, has also been plunged into controversy after the decision to reinstate Cleveland as champions prompted Bailey’s Bay to withdraw from the competition indefinitely.

Willow Cuts are scheduled to meet Somerset Bridge in the third round of the Western Counties on Saturday.

“We feel there’s nothing in the Western Counties anyway,” Brangman said. “You don’t have a man of the match, you don’t have a man of the series, so it is like we’re just playing.”