Langwarrin officials were incensed when told that about 20 of their junior and senior teams would lose points over the non-payment of $10 and $50 demanded by the league over the Christmas break.

The club says it is in a solid financial position, always pays its affiliation and other fees on time – including almost $10,000 this season – and had not received a reminder notice.

The association admitted it had failed to transmit the notice.

"There is no compulsion under our rules for warnings to be given, however this has occurred in the past and with other clubs," the board stated in an email to the Langwarrin club.

"We have had some problems with emails not being received some of the time by some clubs and others.

"We have checked the Cricket Victoria email system and found that three crucial emails sent to you were in fact not delivered."

Club president Andrew Kelly (The Mail's cricket writer) said the MPCA had caused unnecessary heartache.

"While we appreciate and respect that the MPCA needs to take measures to ensure that clubs pay their dues, a more subtle approach should have been taken in this instance.

"Unfortunately, their actions caused substantial damage to the club brand and cast unfair aspersions on the professional and financial operations of the club and its tireless working committee."