Riddlesden Cricket Club has been stripped of all its points from last season and relegated to the fourth division of the Craven and District Cricket League following complaints of nudity and abusive behaviour.

Raymond Jones, secretary and captain of visiting team Gargrave, complained to the League about incidents which occurred during a match last July.

He wrote: "Two cars pulled up with several young men in them. They appeared to be players as they obviously knew the players and supporters of the Riddlesden club.

"From then on they circled the field of play, shouted and swore continuously and I saw one of them by the river drop his shorts and expose himself."

He added that a wife of a Gargrave player was watching with her young daughter and left in disgust.

After a long investigation Riddlesden CC has now had all its points deducted for the 2005 season, causing the club to be relegated.

Club chairman Gordon Henson, secretary Carole White, first-team captain Phil White and child welfare officer Steven Brown have all been fined £50 for failing to co-operate with the disciplinary committee. Carole White, Phil White and Steven Brown have also been banned from playing cricket and holding any position within cricket for five years.

The two offenders, Jimmy Spencer, and Mark Sullivan, have been banned from playing cricket for five years. In addition they have been banned from any ground within the Craven League for that same five-year period.

However, the League has reconsidered a decision to force Riddlesden to start the 2006 season on minus 24 points. That penalty has now been suspended for two years.

In statements to the League, Riddlesden said Jimmy Spencer, was a minor player for the club while Mark Sullivan was a non-member.

A statement from League secretary Ann Coe said the investigation had been very stressful for all concerned, with solicitors involved. "It is fair to say that common sense prevailed at the eleventh hour," she said.

"We also extend a warm welcome to the new committee at Riddlesden CC.