Weston-super-Mare's Appeal against the postponement of the match has been upheld.
Weston-super-Mare 1st XV was scheduled to play away against Thornbury RFC on Saturday, February 8, 2025, but the National 2 Severn League Secretary postponed the match following a request by the South Gloucestershire Club chairman.
Thornbury submitted a 'medical' report stating 'the vast number of infections and open cut wounds' following their league game against Old Centralians, which had been transferred to the 3G pitch at the University of Gloucestershire.
Weston-super-Mare immediately launched a robust appeal to South West Rugby, the league's organisers, against the decision, which included the fact that Thornbury 2ndXV had a scheduled league game away from Bristol University.
According to the RFU's Game Management System, 13 members of the Thornbury 2nd XV that played in their victory away to Bristol University had also appeared for the Thornbury 1st XV this season.
Our view was that their 2nd XV match should be postponed, and those players should be made available for the Thornbury 1st XV selection.
We also cited the scheduled Regional 2 Severn match between Gordano RFC and Swindon RFC. The Wiltshire Club could not raise a side, so Gordano was awarded a 'Walk Over' and five league points, and Swindon were deducted five points.
The Appeal was reviewed by a SWROC (South West Rugby Organising Committee) Review Panel, which comprised representatives from Dorset & Wilts, Bucks and Oxfordshire.
The Appeal Panel considered very carefully the Weston-super-Mare RFC appeal and support statements, the same from Thornbury RFC, and the League Secretary's report/decision.
The findings of the SWROC Review Panel were as follows:
- Thornbury RFC were unable to field a side and requested a postponement. However, they fielded a 2nd XV on the same day.
- It was clear this team had considerably less experience at Level 6, and arguably, it may have been unreasonable to fulfil the 1st XV fixture; however, the current Regulations do not cover this.
The guidelines for a breach(es) of this rule are contained in RFU Regulation 6 which states:
Reg 6 Extract - Non-Fulfilment of Fixture framework reads:
For the benefit of doubt, lack of players, or insufficient front row players with effective registration whether through injury, illness or because of work or other commitments shall not be deemed a justifiable reason for not playing or seeking a postponement of a League match.
Given the wording of this Regulation, the Review Panel, on a majority decision, concluded the Weston-super-Mare RFC Appeal should be upheld and, therefore, awarded an away win with five league points.
With four Regional 2 Severn matches still to play, Weston-super-Mare 1stXV have an important game on Saturday (March 1, 2025) when Witney will be making their first-ever league visit to the Recreation Ground.
Please come along and support the lads. Kick-off is at 2.30 pm
Alex Larkin
Weston-super-Mare Chair
