Thame Cricket Club have been suspended from the Thames and Chiltern Sunday League - after one of their players jumped in a swimming pool at a house surrounding the ground at Gerrards Cross.

The high jinx took place when the Thame player was bet £100 by his teammates to jump over a gate into the neighbouring garden and take a dip during their recent game against the Bucks club.

He duly took up the challenge and made a big splash before hot-footing it back over the fence - pursued by the angry homeowner.

League chairman Graeme Copas said: "It might have been fairly amusing if it had been at the dead of night, but unfortunately he has done it while the game was going on.

"The family who live at the house were in the back garden at the time and the kids were in the swimming pool.

"He jumped back over the gate, quickly followed by one of the members of the family saying 'What is going on?'. They were a bit distressed and complained to Gerrards Cross."

The Bucks club contacted the league about the incident and, at a meeting, clubs agreed by nine votes to four to suspend Thame's first and second teams for the remainder of the season.

Copas added: "I think the player was partially clothed, but it is one of those stupid things.

"The ground is surrounded by 20-odd houses, half-a- million pound jobs with swimming pools, and the club have a very good relationships with their neighbours.

"Thame are supposed to be sending out letters of apology to the club and the family involved."

Thame secretary Richard Gregory said: "From our perspective, we feel it has been blown out of proportion and we are disappointed with the league's attitude.

"I think it is a case of politics and they didn't have too many alternatives. But from our point of view, it seems harsh to punish the club over the actions of a younger member of the team."

Thame have still to decide if they will be taking any action against the player involved.

Gerarrds Cross secretary Jon Coles added: "The league have dealt with the incident in a very succinct manner and as far as we are concerned, that is the end of it."

Results from games Thame have completed will stand, with clubs they are still to play being awarded two points (four points are awarded for a win).