Reprieve to Hornby

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33527, 7 May 1974, Page 18

Reprieve to Hornby

The Hornby Rugby League Club will retain its premier status, at least for the first round of the Canterbury premiership which starts next Saturday, as a result of a long discussion taken in committee at last evening’s meeting of the provincial board of control.

Mr M. R. Clinton, chairman of [the board, said that it had been I decided “to invite Hornby to b<* i the tenth team in the first round of the premiership. In revolving this, the board took into account representations made by senior members of the league’s officers’ association, and the vote to retain Hornby was unanimous.”

Before the meeting moved into committee, a telegram had been delivered to the board room. From “The players, schoolboys and supporters. Hornby Rugby League Club,” it read: ‘’Consider Hornbv at this vital time, not only for the good of our club but also for Rugby league in Canterbun’. Your decision will not be forgotten.”

After the end of the first full premiership round, the competition will continue as previously decided. The top eight will stay in for a full second round, after which the championship semifinalists will play off Originally, only nine sides were to comprise the first premier round. Svdenham, University and Woolston qualified automatically on their performances in the grading series, with i Hal swell—which had a slightly better points average—and Hornby equal fourth.