Ten Teams Not Practicable

Press, Issue 30997, 1 March 1966, Page 20

Ten Teams Not Practicable

(By Our Rugby League Reporter.) The applications for senior status put forward by the Woolston and Shirley Clubs has again raised the question of promotion and relegation in Canterbury Rugby League.

The composition of the senior grade for the 1966 season will be decided by the new board of control after the annual genera! meeting of the league on March 16.

One thing appears certain, however. With the tight schedule of matches already drawn up for the coming season, Woolston and Shirley have little chance of playing in the senior grade this year.

To include two new teams in the senior championship would necessitate two additional rounds in the Tavendale Cup; two in the first round of the championship; and two in the second round if the teams were to be split up into top four and bottom six sections.

Should the applications fail, as they appear certain to do, Shirley and Woolston will most likely reapply next year. This would promote debates as to whether a 10-team championship could be supported. Gap In Standards

In a province such as Canterbury, where the standard of club play is not particularly high at present, there would undoubtedly be a tremendous gap in the relative playing strengths of the top and bottom teams. Even with eight teams there have been many winning margins of 40 or more during the last two years.

When Addington was promoted to senior status in 1964 it was assured of success because it had signed three players who had or were to win Kiwi jerseys, J. H. Fisher, P. M. V. White, and J. L. White. It would have been ludicrous to have three players of international standard playing in the senior reserve grade. To avoid having a bye, Kaiapoi was promoted with Addington. At first Kaiapoi was hopelessly outclassed but the

decision of the former Kiwi, J. E. Bond, to join the club saw a great improvement, although it may be some years before Kaiapoi becomes a serious threat to the likes of Hornby, Linwood and Addington.

It must also be remembered that neither Woolston nor Shirley was able to win the reserve grade championship last year. True, Shirley had several players on loan to Addington but they need not return to their former club. They could transfer permanently to Addington by standing down for four matches under the transfer rule. Woolston claims that it would have the services of several top-grade players should the application be successful. This may or may not eventuate and until it can—as Addington did in 1964 announce that transfer forms have been signed this factor probably would not bear great consideration.

Both clubs are strong in schoolboy football and should they continue to build up their grades it is possible that senior status could be gained sometime in the future. This, however, does not look likely to eventuate in the next two years.