CHIPPING Norton have given their backing to suspended head coach Andy Dawson after a result-fixing act which has left them facing relegation, writes Jack Johnson.

It was confirmed on Friday the west Oxfordshire side, along with Slough, would be handed a 25-point deduction and a £125 fine by the Rugby Football Union (RFU).

The verdicts relate to the club’s scheduled BB&O Premier home match with the Berkshire side on February 6 which was called off due to adverse weather.

But an RFU hearing in London on March 29 heard Dawson, Slough head coach Darran Brown and Oxfordshire referee Rob Hawkins had agreed to falsely complete the match card.

They agreed to a 24-24 draw, with both clubs scoring four tries, giving them three league points each.

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

Dawson, who pleaded guilty to the allegation, 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 Chipping Norton chairman Patrick Neale said there was “no reason” why he should not return as head coach once the suspension had been served.

Neale added: “Obviously the club was at fault, but Andy is an amazing representative of the club.

“Although we had to take the punishment, we fully support him 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 spoke at the hearing on Neale’s behalf.

And he said falsely filling in the match card was “totally uncharacteristic” of Dawson who had put in an “excellent record of service” to the club.

Murphy added: “The 25 points is catastrophic.

“I don’t want to disassociate ourselves.

“Andy was our official and as such we are responsible for his actions.

“Of course I am shocked at such an action, completely out of character.

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

“It was a crime where you have nothing to gain and everything to lose.”

As a result of the points deduction, Chipping Norton have dropped to the bottom of the BB&O Premier on eight points, with one game remaining.

Relegation looks likely, but will be confirmed by the league’s committee after the season is finished.

Neale added: “It is a tough pill to take, but the club will cope with it and move on.

“We will come back stronger next season.”

The match was replayed on April 9 with Chipping Norton losing 24-12.

Referee Hawkins did not attend the meeting and the RFU panel were advised he had retired fully from rugby.

The Witney Gazette was unable to speak to Dawson.