Redskins pull pin over lack of players

A SPLURGE of forfeits due to a lack of numbers has forced Ross River to withdraw from this year’s Townsville District Rugby Union competition.

The Redskins decided to pull the pin last Tuesday. It handed North Ward a forfeit win on Saturday, which allowed them to leapfrog Charters Towers into fourth after they were thrashed 60- 0 by ladder leaders Teachers West.

Club presidents will hold an already- scheduled meeting on Wednesday, and TDRU director of rugby Terry Shiells hopes Ross River will return “in some form” next season.

It is the second team to withdraw from the TDRU in as many years after Wests did so last year, before returning as a merged entity with University this season.

“They ( Ross River) have got to be in a situation which complies with playing footy every week to be in the competition,” Shiells said.

“It tends to be happening a bit to all sports.

“It seems there’s a shortage of people that participate in playing sport, not just watching it.

“The board will put together some direction ( criteria for their return) but there’s no urgency in the next few weeks.”

In Saturday’s other match, Burdekin coach Brendan Casey blasted his team’s leadership despite escaping with a last- gasp 20- 17 win over winless University.

Meanwhile, third- placed Canetoads needed a Nick Bartlett penalty goal after full- time to secure the points. “There’s a massive gap between ( top two teams) Brothers and Teachers and us,” Casey said.

“We’re not playing to the fullest of our capacity. We had very little ball control, we were waiting for other people to make decisions.

“Leadership is something I’m questioning in our team at the moment, ( we need) someone to stand up and take it on.”