A school cricket team has been disqualified after winning a national competition - for fielding players from other schools.

Abbotsholme, an independent school near Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, were crowned School Sport Magazine National Schools U15 Girls’ T20 Cricket Cup winners after a pulsating finals day.

But their joy has turned to despair after it was revealed that two of the 12-strong squad actually attended other schools – leaving runners-up Felsted School from Essex to be declared champions.

Neither of the two girls, both county players who attended state schools in the county, had played for Abbotsholme during the county and regional qualifying matches.

But they were drafted into the finals day in Essex and played leading parts in narrowly defeating Shrewsbury School in the semi-finals and hosts Felsted in the final – only to return to their former schools to start the new term.

Abbotsholme headmaster Matthew Boud-Self issued a statement expressing deep regret for the incident and that the staff in question would be disciplined.

“The decision to play using two non-bona fide members of the school community was not sanctioned by myself as headmaster,” he revealed.

“The realisation that such decisions had been made was not brought fully to my attention until later.

“I am deeply uncomfortable with the behaviour of my staff and the impact that this has had not only on the girls and our school community, but also the other players, coaches, schools and the organisers of this event.

“I have written to all players and their parents from the squad that attended and invited them to a meeting to fully explain the situation.

“My chair of governors and the chairman of the Methodist Independent Schools Trust are both fully aware of the situation and will be supporting me with the disciplining of all staff involved.

“It is with deep regret and a bitter taste in my mouth that I write this. I am shocked that members of my staff body have behaved in such a way.

“I don’t think I will ever understand the rationale behind their decision making.”

Of the two ineligible players, one joined the school after the tournament, while the other will not join until September 2018.

Rules of the competition state that players must be full-time pupils at the school they are playing for, during the school year the competition starts.

Felsted director of cricket and former Nottinghamshire and England cricketer Jason Gallian took the opportunity to once again praise his players.

“The circumstances of the final were not ideal, but should not be allowed to detract from a fantastic competition, and an outstanding season for the Felsted girls in any way,” he said.

As a further punishment, School Sport Magazine publishing editor Phil Tusler confirmed Abbotsholme would be banned from the competition until 2020.

“While genuine mistakes can occasionally happen, sometimes with regard to over-age or under-age players, for which the penalty is still disqualification, this is the most blatant breach of competition rules I have come across in 13 years,” he said.

“Playing ineligible players, most specifically girls from other schools, is both inexcusable and incomprehensible and the teachers concerned should be ashamed of themselves.

“I feel especially sorry for the team from Shrewsbury School, who were denied a place in the final, not to mention the other Abbotsholme girls who performed so well to reach the finals day and have been denied a chance to win the cup because of the unfathomable actions of others.”

Andrew Murfin, director of sport at Shrewsbury School, was disappointed but sanguine following the incident.

“I still believe in the power of sport, which is why the playing of ineligible players that robs other players of the opportunity to challenge legitimately for a national title will always frustrate me,” he said.

“It’s easy to overlook that schools and teachers are potentially under increased pressure to win, to provide much-needed marketing material to promote the school in a complex, competitive schools market – but there’s a line that shouldn‘t knowingly be crossed.”