Western Bureau:

The disciplinary committee of the Trelawny Football Association (TFA) has come down hard on clubs Duanvale United and Kinloss FC, dishing out stiff fines for their respective roles in an ugly crowd invasion scene, which brought a premature end to the National Rums Major League game between the teams on April 5.

For the home team, Kinloss FC, it was somewhat of a bittersweet experience as while they were awarded three points and three goals for the game, they were nonetheless fined $15,000 for not having their venue properly secured, which created the scope for the crowd invasion.

Duanvale United, who were found guilty of the ground invasion, lost the points from the game and were hit with a $10,000 fine for bringing the game into disrepute. They have also been put on probation - warned to be on their best behaviour for the remainder of the season.

Goal difference

Points gained from the ruling lifted Duanvale to fourth place in the 12-team competition, on 24 points, the same as third-place Holland FC, which have a superior goal difference.

Kinloss stay in eighth place on 18 points and will need to get some positive results in their next games to stay clear of the relegation zone.

"This is the first time we have taken disciplinary action against any teams this season. In fact, it is our first such case in three seasons," said Marline Brown, vice-president of the TFA.

"This is our way of sending a strong message to the teams in this parish that we will not be tolerating any form of indiscipline," added Brown. "Our aim is to protect the good name of the sponsors and the Trelawny FA."

Return phase

In last round of games played before the Easter break, the results were as follows: Holland defeated Kings 1-0; Duanvale clipped Brits 2-1; Palmento blanked Upsetters 3-0; Harmony outscored Kinloss 3-1; and Exidus cooled Dromily 3-0.

With the return phase of the competition now on in earnest, Harmony are the runaway leaders with 31 points, six clear of second-place Exidus, which have 25. Harmony's record reads 10 wins, one draw and two defeats from 13 games.

'Our aim is to protect the good name of the sponsors and the Trelawny FA.'