A WEST Oxfordshire rugby club has vowed to face up to the consequences after being slapped with a heavy points deduction for fixing a result.

Chipping Norton RFC and Slough RFC have been punished after agreeing their fixture on February 6 ended in a 24-24 draw when it had actually been called off due to bad weather.

Both sides were handed 25-point deductions and ordered to pay £125 in costs.

A Rugby Football Union hearing in London on March 29 heard Chipping Norton head coach Andy Dawson, Slough head coach Darran Brown and Oxfordshire referee Rob Hawkins agreed to the scoreline.

It included four-try bonus points for both teams, giving them three points each.

The Oxfordshire club, who play in the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Premier – the eighth tier of English rugby – are now bottom of the league table.

Chipping Norton chairman Patrick Neale said yesterday: “Obviously the club was at fault.

"It is a tough pill to take, but the club will cope with it.

“We will come back stronger next season.”

All three men have been handed suspensions, along with Slough’s first team manager Paul Bryant, who signed the match card as the away official.

Mr Dawson has been banned from coaching at any level for a period of 20 weeks between March 10 to May 4 and July 1 to September 22.

But Mr Neale said there was “no reason” why he should not return as head coach.

He added: “Although we had to take the punishment, we fully support Andy because he has been such a remarkable supporter of Chipping Norton Rugby Club.

“I would be very happy for him to return to the role.”

Committee member Vince Murphy said this week Mr Dawson had put in an “excellent record of service” to the club.

Mr Murphy added: “I am shocked, it was completely out of character.

“Anyone who would have thought for a few minutes, including Andy, would have realised how silly it was.”

Mr Hawkins was suspended from refereeing for 20 weeks between March 29 to May 3 and August 13 to November 25, but he has now retired.