Final league places being revealed to other Midland clubs
RUGBY clubs across Coventry and Warwickshire await their final league positions from the RFU.
All rugby union below the Premiership was cancelled last month following the coronavirus outbreak. But the question over promotion/relegation remained unanswered.
In a follow-up statement issued yesterday, the RFU confirmed there would be relegation/ promotion despite a fifth of the season, in most cases, being unplayed.
Clubs were set to learn their final league placings last night with tables being published this evening by 6pm at www. Englandrugby.com
The announcement will have a big impact on many Coventry and Warwickshire clubs at both ends of the table.
Midlands Premier
Broadstreet sit six points and a place above the relegation zone in Midlands Premier with five rounds remaining.
South Leicester’s early season demise cut the number of teams going down from three to two.
Midlands One West
Kenilworth sit second four points behind leaders Dudley Kingswinford and five ahead of third-placed Lichfield, who have a game in hand.
Midlands Two West South
Stratford Upon Avon are top with an 11-point lead over Nuneaton Old Edwardians. The Eds are tied on 70 points with Barkers Butts but have played a game less. At the other end of the table, Southam are well adrift at the bottom but Earlsdon are just one place above the relegation zone, tied on 23 points with second-bottom Evesham. However, Earlsdon have played one less game.
Midlands Three West South
Here’s where it really gets interesting. Old Coventrians are 13 points clear at the top but just a point separates Berkswell and Balsall in second and Rugby St Andrews in third.
The relegation picture looks more cut and dried with Bedworth adrift at the bottom and Alcester six points clear of Burbage, although the Leicestershire club does have a game in hand.
Midlands Four West South
Old Wheatleyans are second, tied on 53 points with leaders Upton – who have played a game more. Coventrians are two points behind Old Wheats in third.
Midlands Five West South
Rugby Welsh have a 14-point lead at the top of the table so their promotion will likely be confirmed.
The full RFU statement issued yesterday read as follows: “Following the early end of the rugby season in England as a result of COVID-19, The Rugby Football Union (RFU) is today announcing the final league positions for the Greene King IPA Championship, Tyrrells Premier 15s and men’s and women’s community game.
“Proposals from the RFU governance committee to conclude the season for those leagues at both professional and community level were yesterday ratified by the RFU Council.
“It was agreed that final standings for the Greene King IPA Championship and men’s and women’s community game would be calculated on a best playing record formula, maintaining promotion and relegation for those leagues. The Tyrrells Premier 15s season has been declared null and void as there is no promotion or relegation in this league.”
RFU President Peter Wheeler said: “There is no single solution that will suit every club, but the approach taken is one that we believe best reflects the nature of league rugby in England.
“With 80 per cent of the season complete for the community game, we believe our approach is fair and the right one for our leagues.”