RUGBY Decision On 1964 Tourney Delayed

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30275, 30 October 1963, Page 13

RUGBY Decision On 1964 Tourney Delayed

If there were to be no promotionrelegation matches in future, as was anticipated, there had to be some substitution for them so that young clubs could gain a place in the senior competition, members of the Canterbury Rugby Union's management committee agreed last evening. There had to be provision for teams to get into the senior competition if they were of a high enough standard, all speakers emphasised.

Earier this month, the management committee gave notice that it would be moving at the union’s annual meeting that the promotionrelegation system, whereby the bottom senior team and the top senior reserve team meet to decide which will contest the top grade the following season, be deleted. At the same meeting it decided to recommend to the incoming management committee that the senior competion for 1984 comprise 14 teams instead of 12. During a lengthy discussion on these two decisions last evening, members uncovered many problems, and at the conclusion were unresolved as to what form the 14-team competition should take and no concrete suggestions for the substitution for the promotion - relegation matches were agreed on. Mr R. W. Thomas said that perhaps both problems should be discussed again in the new year. He gave notice that he would be moving at the first meeting in 1964 that both decisions made regarding the increase in the senior competion from 12 to 14 teams and the deletion of the promotionrelegation matches be rescinded. Eight Top Teams He also gave notice that he would move the following resolution:— "That it be a recommendation to the competitions committee that the senior grade for 1964 be composed of the eight top teams of the 1963 competition.” Also included in the resolution was provision

for a senior B competition for the remaining teams from the senior competition of 1963 and a further four selected teams. At the end of the season, promotion - relegation games could be conducted in both grades, but no club would be permitted to have two teams in either one. Mr Thomas said. If there were to be no pro-motion-relegation matches the senior competition would be sealed off with 14 teams for all time, said Mr H. C. Blazey, However, he said, that he was not convinced that the relegation of an old club with a large number of lower grade teams was In the best interests of the game. Mr Blazey suggested that the 14-team competition wes only a step on the way to a 16-team competition. When two other teams became strong enough they could be brought up. When the competition became a contest between 16 teams, the bottom team could automatically be relegated and the top senior reserve team brought up, he said.

Seeded Tourney With the 16-team competition. the teams could be seeded and divided into two divisions of equal strength. The winning team of each division could play off for the championship. It was only a suggestion and he could see that it had its draw-backs, Mr Blazey said. There should not be a situation whereby a new club could not gain entry to the senior competition if it was strong enough, Mr Blazey emphasised. The only way to get 16 teams in the competition was by invitation if there was no promotion-relegation, said Mr J. Storey. They had had 12 teams for 15 years and it might be a long time before the 14 would be increased to 16. he said. “There is a division of thought even amongst us here.” said Mr Thomas.

The whole membership of a club could be jeopardised by one match with promo-tion-relegation, said Mr D. B. Doake. “Promotionrelegation as we have it at present is unjust and unfair.” he said.

It was going to be very awkward to organise a competition for 14 teams and the more thought given to it the better, said the chairman (Mr J. Hattereley) when suggesting that both matters be held over and discussed again at a later meeting. He suggested that members forget promotion-relegation and concentrate on finding a substitute to put forward at the annual meeting.