The prospect of replaying their Carter Cup semi-final has left players and officials at Brooke CC feeling 'devastated' – but the south Norfolk club's chairman has called for the replay against Swardeston to be played 'in good spirit'.

Brooke thought they had achieved one of the club's greatest ever results when they pulled off a shock three-wicket win over higher-level Swardeston earlier this month.

The Carter Cup committee were subsequently asked to investigate the use of an ineligible player and it was decided that the match should be replayed 'in the interests of both the integrity and the spirit' of the competition.

That replay is now scheduled for Sunday, July 26 and the Norfolk Alliance Premier Division side have released a statement about that decision as they prepare to again take on the reigning East Anglian Premier League champions.

'After much discussion with our players, members and sponsors, Brooke & District Cricket Club have agreed to replay the match as proposed by the Carter Cup committee,' chairman Godfrey Bancroft said.

'To win the semi-final match on 5 July was the greatest achievement in our club's proud history – and we remain devastated that this has been tarnished.

'We hope that the match will be well supported, as was the first game. All local cricket supporters will be very welcome at Brooke House Park.

'It is very important to us that the match takes place in good spirit between two sides with mutual respect for each other.'

The statement details the frustration felt at Brooke, regarding the eligibility of Scott Palombo, who scored 72 runs in the game. The game was played on July 5 and Brooke emailed the teenager's registration on June 29, receiving a 'noted and received' reply which they believed meant they were within the rules.

The statement explains: 'The Carter Cup committee's interpretation is that our player was not registered within the seven days and therefore could not play in the semi-final. We were given no warning that he should not play prior to the game. The only correspondence we received was the email confirming his registration.'

Bancroft also says: 'We feel it is important to stress that we have not and would not intentionally play an ineligible player for any match.'

The statement is published in full below.

Brooke & District Cricket Club – Godfrey Bancroft (Chairman)

The Carter Cup Semi-final Replay – Sunday 26 July 2015

Ever since our match on the 5th July we have been frustrated by the unfolding events. We feel it is important to stress that we have not and would not intentionally play an ineligible player for any match.

The allegation was based on the registration of our player, Scott Palombo. We registered Scott with the Carter Cup Committee by email on 29 June. We received a reply which said, 'Noted and received'. We understood this to be confirmation of his registration. The rules of the competition state that any player registration must be made seven days before the match and that written confirmation from the committee is final. Our interpretation was that we acted within the rules.

We became aware that an allegation was made on 6 July. The details of the allegation were not explained to us until 10 July. By this time a decision had already been made regarding the outcome.

The Carter Cup Committee's interpretation is that our player was not registered within the seven days and therefore could not play in the semi-final. We were given no warning that he should not play prior to the game. The only correspondence we received was the email confirming his registration.

We would like to put on record that the administrators and organisers of Norfolk Cricket and the Carter Cup work tirelessly for the benefit of cricket clubs such as ours and we appreciate their work.

Over the past few days we have received widespread support and good wishes from clubs, players and umpires from across the county. We are extremely grateful for this support.

After much discussion with our players, members and sponsors, Brooke & District Cricket Club have agreed to replay the match as proposed by the Carter Cup Committee. To win the semi-final match on 5 July was the greatest achievement in our Club's proud history – and we remain devastated that this has been tarnished.

We hope that the match will be well supported, as was the first game. All local cricket supporters will be very welcome at Brooke House Park. It is very important to us that the match takes place in good spirit between two sides with mutual respect for each other.

Godfrey Bancroft

Brooke & District Cricket Club – Chairman