DAVID Dunn has insisted Bournemouth Lions were left with "no alternative" after they conceded the Dorset and Wiltshire Cup semi-final to Swanage and Wareham.

The Lions, who face Henley on Saturday in a re-arranged league clash, were ordered to play two games in two days this weekend when the Dorset and Wilts RFU competitions committee scheduled the re-arranged clash on Sunday.

But Dunn, who branded the decision "ridiculous", believes his club have been treated harshly - and must now await developments to see if there is further punishment.

He told the Daily Echo: "We were basically left with no alternative but to concede the tie and we've done nothing wrong.

"We allowed Henley not to travel last week on compassionate grounds, when one of their players was killed in a car crash, yet we are left with no option but to concede the fixture.

"We've been consulting with people at Twickenham and have a lot of support for our case and we're very grateful to Swanage and Wareham for their support.

"Everyone at the club is very upset about it, but we have a responsibility to ensure the players' safety. It is not feasible to play two very intense games in two days.

"It's ridiculous that the competition committee could not find room to play an eight-team tournament in a 30-week season.

"We'd have relished the opportunity to go to play Swanage and Wareham, but we've been denied that opportunity now."

Dorset and Wiltshire RFU deputy president Ron Jones said: "A decision (to play two games in two days) was taken based on the pile-up of fixtures and it's sad that it has come to this.

"I know of other teams in other leagues this season that have been in this position and have played on both Saturday and Sunday.

"But I can understand that Bournemouth feel aggrieved by it. If I was in their position, Id probably feel the same."

Jones, however, all but ruled out the possibility of handing out any punishment to Bournemouth for their withdrawal.

He said: "I would say that is very unlikely."