Two Bethersden players will be suspended for the start of the Kent Village League cricket season after ill-discipline at the league’s end of season presentation night.

Club fixture secretary Don Amos said that drink-fuelled ‘high spirits’ at the end of season showpiece had got out of hand.

He admitted: "The players have let the club down and themselves down."

The players received two-match bans from the KVL, while another has a four-game suspension after breaching the rules while on duty for another club last season.

The loss of three key players – two opening batsmen and a bowler – will hit the club in their bid for Division 1 honours this season, according to Mr Amos.

He said: "We were hoping to challenge this season but unfortunately we are going to be missing three of our best players at the start of the season so it is going to affect us.

"But they know what they have done and that they have to take the punishment."

Kent Village League chairman Roy Lincoln said: "The management committee has the power to discipline anyone and our aim is to maintain the integrity of the Kent Village League and cricket as a whole.

"There are a minimal number of incidents each season, so few that we don’t even have a disciplinary committee but the incident tainted an evening of pleasure and the management committee decided that action should be taken."