Deal & Betteshanger Rugby Club have lost their appeal against a 15-point deduction by the Rugby Football Union.

A two-man RFU disciplinary panel upheld the points deduction at a meeting on Thursday, January 20.

The penalty was originally handed out in November, following a mass brawl involving players and spectators during Deal's London 2 South East game with East Grinstead on October 30.

Both clubs were found guilty of misconduct and also received another 15-point deduction, suspended until the end of next season.

The abandoned match went down as a 0-0 draw with no league points awarded.