Appeal plan after club goes down
MELBOURNE RFC has confirmed it is exploring appeal options after they were relegated instead of Rugby Lions.
The Derbyshire club claimed the point they needed to stay up in Midlands 1 West against Dudley Kingswinford on Saturday.
However, a point owing to Rugby Lions due to an admin error from a win over Hereford on April 14 was added on April 30 – two days after Melbourne celebrated survival.
“We have gone from celebrations to despair,” said chairman of Melbourne Peter Ilott.
“Everyone at the club was so happy when we got the point – we even had a massive party at our club house.
“What leaves a sour taste most is that Melbourne sought clarity from the league organiser,” added Peter.
“A huge feeling of injustice and irresponsibility has been left in the Derbyshire side’s midst – it feels like we have been slapped in the face.
“Rugby Lions described the event as a ‘totting up error’ on their website – but more seems amiss given the time scales to rectify the standings.”
The Coventry Telegraph requested a response from the RFU on Monday but so far we have only received this brief statement.
It reads: “When the electronic match form was submitted the Rugby Lions point wasn’t awarded that should have been.
“This was corrected last Saturday when the error was identified.
“No appeal has been lodged to date.”
As it stands, Melbourne will drop into Level 7 rugby while Rugby Lions cling on to their Midlands 1 West place by a single point.
Illott added: “Melbourne are looking at the appeals process as it seems that the information could have been available far earlier than Monday, April 30, and with the new electronic GMS system, it is unknown how the error occurred and under what circumstances.
“We plan to pursue the injustice further.” WASPS director of rugby Dai Young wants to finish third in table – because he believes his side has been the Aviva Premiership’s third-best team this season.
Heading into Saturday’s final game of the regular season campaign at Newcastle, both teams have secured their place in the semi-final play-offs on May 19.
Wasps hold a three-point advantage on the Falcons and if they hold on to third, a trip to the Allianz awaits leaving Newcastle to make the long journey south to Sandy Park. Young has no preference on which semifinal opponent his side must tackle, but the Wasps chief is clear regarding his attentions this weekend.
“They’re both outstanding teams,” said Young. “I genuinely would like to finish third, because I believe we’ve been the third best team in the Premiership.
“Obviously Newcastle will have a say in that.
“Considering where we’ve been this year, we’ve had so many players who haven’t been playing.
“Matt Symons has barely featured, Nathan Hughes has only had a couple of games, Elliot [Daly] has only been playing lately, Tommy Taylor has only just become available. “So many guys have been out for such a long period. Kyle Eastmond has only played four or five games. “We’ve had, pretty much, a lot of players from what would be recognised by most people as your best starting 15 or definitely in the 23, out for most of the season. “I think we’ve done well to be where we are. We are capable of going all the way, without a shadow of a doubt.
“I think in one-off games we’re capable of beating anybody.”
Wasps are likely to be without longserving prop Simon McIntyre after he hobbled off before half-time against Northampton Saints with a foot injury that saw the loose head leave the Ricoh Arena wearing a protective boot.
“I can’t see him being fit for the weekend or for a while really,” said Young.
“He’s had a scan and we will find out from the scan really.”
Also leaving the field of play on Sunday with an injury was Elliot Daly, clutching his left shoulder after clearing out a ruck in the 72nd minute.