The side was comfortably beaten by Greta Workers in the Zone Six final played at Maitland City earlier this month. However, it has since been discovered by the zone that Greta fielded two ineligible players. The players were members of the winning pennant team from the start of the season in the Hunter competition.

Zone president Bruce Elliott of Forster said there was 'no option' but to disqualify Greta.

This opens the way for Wingham to move through to the State. Mr Elliott said the discrepancy was discovered by the zone secretary after the conclusion of the zone finals.

Mr Elliott said the two players skipped rinks for Greta. Both scored big wins in the zone final.

However, since the zone's decision was made Greta has appealed to the State match committee. This was turned down so the club took the matter to the State board.

The board met yesterday to discuss the appeal. Mr Elliott expected to be informed on the board's ruling today. Mr Elliott added that this was the club's last option for appeal. Greta Workers, Wingham and Upper Hunter's Denman qualified for the zone playoffs. Wingham won one from two games during the round robin before going down to Greta.

Mr Elliott maintains the Hunter District should have realised that Greta had ineligible players at the end of the first round of pennants.

"The zone recorder should have picked it up,'' he said.

Should Greta's appeal be turned down Wingham would join the club's No 2 pennant side in the State playoffs. The No 2 State flag would be decided at Port Macquarie the same weekend.

Another Manning club, Tuncurry's No 1 grade is also through to State. Tuncurry will play at Belrose.

Mr Elliott said he would inform the Wingham club of the board's decision as soon as he was contacted.