Eight Senior League Sides

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31169, 20 September 1966, Page 17

Eight Senior League Sides

It took only nine minutes last evening to solve a problem that has been discussed by the Canterbury Rugby League board of control on many occasions in the last few weeks.

The board decided that no more than eight teams should comprise the senior grade in 1967.

Woolston and Shirley had advised the board that they intended to apply for senior status next season.

The secretary (Mr D. G. Gaynor) said that “as one who supported the possibility of junior clubs being given a trial” he had reconsidered and was now of the opinion that “our strength would not improve with two more senior teams.

“They should prove themselves on the field,” said Mr Gaynor. “However, we should

decide upon a formula to give junior clubs the chance of promotion.” The clubs favoured eight teams, said Mr L. R. Huston. He agreed that it was the board’s duty to give junior clubs the chance of promotion.

The chairman (Mr D. C. Wilson) said that the clubs’ answer was quite unanimous and the board should decide without spending too much time on the matter. Mr Huston moved that no more than eight teams comprise the senior competition. Mr W. A. Whitehead added a rider that “to ensure remaining in the senior grade, present senior clubs have at least a senior reserve team” to support the top team.