SKIPPER Scott Barlow believes Bournemouth received the thin end of the wedge after being hit with a 20-point deduction over the winter.

The penalty, coupled with a £250 fine, was handed out by the SPL due to issues surrounding the Lions renewing their Clubmark, a national accreditation recognised throughout the country.

Barlow, who has described the sanctions as “harsh”, has seen the club’s predicament in Division One worsen following the postponement of their opening two fixtures.

Bournemouth will be hoping to make inroads into their points deficit when they belatedly kick off their season with a trip to Totton & Eling tomorrow (1pm).

Barlow, appointed captain at Chapel Gate over the winter, told the Daily Echo: “It has hurt us more because of the weather. South Wilts have got off to a flyer by winning their first two games and that has left us playing catch-up even more. As the league is determined by average, every game we don’t play drops us down an extra point.

“It was hard to place 100 per cent blame on the club for what happened and we have been punished for something that took place over the close season, not during the season. It wasn’t as if we, as a club, tried to gain anything. Clubs are punished less for things like fielding ineligible players and we haven’t tried to cheat anyone. It was an admin thing and it is the players who have been punished. It is not an entirely fair situation when you want to go for the title and they take 20 points off you. There were a lot of different factors involved.”

Bournemouth: Barlow, N Park, House, Lawrence, J Park, Butler, Hurley, Metcalfe, Kidner, Quinn, Staniford.

• Lymington are set to hand a debut to new recruit Mohammed Ali Jaffer when they visit Division One rivals St Cross (1pm).

The all-rounder, who is known as Ali Jaffer, has joined the club from Surrey Championship outfit Banstead where he had been head coach.

Soon to relocate to South-bourne, Ali Jaffer, who hit five centuries for Banstead last season, will combine playing with working with the club’s colts.

Hampshire’s Sean Terry, son of Paul Terry, has been named in the Bashley team for their showdown with unbeaten South Wilts at the BCG (1pm).

Bashley: Morris, Thurgood, Ridley, Terry, Webb, Baker, Friedman, Neal, Grierson, Nash, Lilley.

• Wicket-keeper Tom Prodomo returns for New Milton’s visit to Hook & Newnham Basics in Division Two with Kristian Locke set to make way.

New Milton: R Beck, Gargaro, Freeman, L Beck, Mude, Elliott, Loader, Neal, Wiltshire, Boudville, Prodomo.

• Bournemouth host Langley Manor in the first round of the SPL Twenty/20 Cup at Chapel Gate on Sunday (3pm), while Bashley entertain Calmore and New Milton welcome Ventnor.