Lincolnshire ECB Premier League officials were remaining tight-lipped last night over their reasons for handing Bracebridge Heath a suspended 40-point penalty.

The reigning champions have been hit with the punishment, suspended for two years, in relation to batsman Paul Cook's ban from the game, which was reduced to four weeks from 11 weeks following an appeal hearing in Lincoln on Monday.

Former Lincolnshire CCC chairman and Grantham solicitor Neil Hamilton, who attended Cook's hearing, now believes Bracebridge's ban should be removed.

"It is, in my view, quite clear that the result of the appeal has removed the points deduction in its entirety," said Hamilton.

Despite repeated attempts by the Echo, the ECB League could not be contacted yesterday.