University in seniors

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32568, 30 March 1971, Page 18

University in seniors

A University Rugby league team will play in the Canterbury premier competition for the first time this year.

The code's board of control last evening decided to promote University, the champion senior second division side last season, and increase the number of teams to nine.

University will be placed in the draw for the two minor premiership rounds. Before the major championship semifinals, the board intends to review the position and might promote another junior club to compete against the Gore Cup teams. The chairman (Mr M. R. Clinton), said that the board had five alternatives to consider—a promotion-relegation game at the start of the season; institute a bye; promote University and another funior club; retain the same eight premier clubs; or have nine sides in the first minor championship round and relegate one to senior second division for the remainder of the season. Two proposals could be discarded immediately, Mr Clinton said. It was against the thinking of the maiority of administrators to retain the status quo. and only University had fulfilled the qualifications required for promotion, he said. Mr J. Anderson said that it was not a good policy to relegate an established club. He moved the motion that University be promoted and that the premier grade be composed of nine teams. "I feel that if a side does not meet the qualifications expected of a senior team it must pay the penalty," Mr W. L. Prendergast said. Mr D. G. Gaynor, the secretary-manager, suggested that after the minor premiership the highest-placed junior dub be elevated to |oin the

bottom five premier teams in the Gore Cup play-off. This would provide an incentive for these clubs to seek a premier position for future seasons. Tho title of the first grade had been altered froth "senior" to "premier" earlier In the meeting. The senior second division remains an open grade but the age limit of the senior third division—previously known as "third grade"—was raised from ,21 years to 23 years.