Kidlington Cricket Club chairman Nick Duval was jubilant after charges against him were found unproven at a disciplinary hearing of The Oxford Times Cherwell League.

Duval was charged with verbally abusing and intimidating a 13-year-old opponent when playing for Kidlington 4th against Oxford 5th on June 7.

The minutes of the league's last executive meeting stated that: "The secretary has received a complaint from the father of a 13-year-old boy, who played in the match.

"The complaint alleges that a senior Kidlington CC official who was playing in the game used foul and abusive language against the boy and also intimidated him.

"In accordance with the code of conduct, the matter was reported to the league chairman, who, after reviewing the evidence, decided to hold a disciplinary hearing."

The captain (Gareth Ellis) was charged under item 1.1.2 and the player (Nick Duval) under 1.1.4. and 1.1.5 of the code of conduct.

After the hearing, league secretary Peter Tomlin said: "The charge against Nick Duval was unproven and so the charge against the captain Gareth Ellis was dropped."

Duval said; "I'm jubilant that I've been completely exonerated.

"In my position as a coach of young cricketers, they were serious allegations.

"But thanks to a lack of evidence, the allegation was unproven - and I'm delighted about that.

"However, I was unhappy about the way some of the meeting was conducted," said Duval who attended the meeting with colleague Jonathan Phillips.

A spokesman for Oxford said: "We thank the league committee for pursuing the matter with such thoroughness.

"We have a chance to appeal, and will be considering over the weeeknd whether to do so.

  • OXFORD have conceded their Evening Standard KO Trophy third round tie at home to Malden Wanderers.

The game should have been played tomorrow, when the club also have ax Cockspur Cup fourth round tie at home to Henley.

Oxford explained they were unable to field a second team of sufficient strength to give Malden a competitive game.