Local rugby explained

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 624, 20 February 1996, Page 12

Local rugby explained

Raetihi and Ohakune Karioi rugby clubs have noted that there is some confusion about the criteria for the premier competition. The following criteria for the Premier competition was set by the Wanganui Rugby Union Fixtures Committee: There will remain the requirement to have an "affiliation" with an Under 21 side. Nominations for the Premier and Senior teams close on 30 March 1996. The subcommittee of players and fixtures will name the six premier teams on 12 May 1996 and that decision is not appealable. At the conclusion of the first round the bottom placed premier team will drop to senior 1st and the top senior 1st team will move up to the premier division, subject being affiliated with an under 21 side. Club rugby starts on 30 March and concludes 12 May. On Thursday 25 April there will be a North vs South match at Spriggens Park with the Colts playing the curtain raiser. The senior 1 st competition is to commence 1 8 May with Round One ending on 22 June, with play on the Saturday and Monday of Queens Birthday weekend. The senior 1st competition will then split into two pools and play two full rounds. It is anticipated that there would be four teams in each pool. The first round of pool play would be 29 June, 6 July and 13 July. The second round of pool play would be 20 July, 27 July and 3 August. Semi-finals are to be played 1 0 August and the final to be played on 1 8 August. Correction Last week's Bulletin article recombined teams from Ohakune Karioi and Raetihi contained an error: Lachlan Harding is to be one of the selectors for the combined team and coaches have not yet been elected.