Bailey rues Teddington's ten-point mistake

11:44am Thursday 17th July 2008

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Teddington skipper Toby Bailey reckons a ten point penalty for fielding an illegible player is a big blow to his side's title chances - but not a terminal one.

Bailey's men received news of the deduction this week after moving to within a point of Middlesex County League Premier Division leaders Ealing with a three wicket triumph over Eastcote on Saturday.

The punishment came after Dominic Curtis - a member of the club since he was nine-years-old - was called into the first team at the weekend.

Bailey scored 68 as his side successfully chased 164 at the weekend and reckons Teddington still have plenty of time to make up the lost ground.

"It was a complete mistake. I've not got a problem with the punishment, we've just got to deal with it and move on," he said.

"It is a big blow because we are now 11 points behind Ealing - who we play at the weekend - so it makes our task a bit harder.

"This weekend is a big game, but it is not the be all and end all. Whoever wins it will not win the league. There is still a long way to go."

Bailey has been frustrated with availability issues this season preventing him from fielding his strongest side, and watched his team bow out of the Evening Standard Knock-out Cup to Bromley on Sunday.

Harry Lloyd has notched five consecutive ducks in the league for the first team in recent weeks, but returned to some form on Sunday with a battling 48 as Teddington fell 12-runs short of Bromley's 243-7.

And Bailey was pleased with the fighting spirit his side showed, despite the defeat.

"This season has been pretty frustrating really because I don't think we have ever been able to field our strongest eleven," he added.

"We've nicknamed Harry the Olympian, so it was good to finally see him get runs.

"Again we didn't have the best team, but generally I think the guys fought for the game tooth and nail."