Season over for Yorkshire One leaders Brods and other Calderdale clubs
OLD BRODLEIANS’ rugby union season is officially over after the governing body halted the campaign for all leagues outside the Premiership.
Brods were top of Yorkshire Division One, four points clear of Heath, having won 18, drawn two and lost only one of their 21 league games when the campaign was halted.
The RFU are due to give a further update in mid April to provide information on the implications of this, which will aim to ensure a fair outcome for all teams.
Rugby union at all levels below the Gallagher Premiership was suspended amid the Coronavirus outbreak with a decision coming last Friday, with Brods having five league matches remaining.
A statement from Brods read: “We are obviously disappointed with the situation but have to accept it for what it is.
“We have had a brilliant season and our league record speaks for itself, while the progress we made in the Intermediate Cup has underlined the quality and depth of our senior squad.
“We
will await the
result of the RFU deliberations but could not be better placed to qualify for promotion as champions of Yorkshire One.
“We would have preferred to have completed our fixture list as we have enjoyed the journey so far and were looking forward to every game to reinforce our final position.
“Similarly we are proud to be the Northern Divisional Intermediate Cup winners and we hope that we may be able to complete that competition and play the semi-final against the Midlands champions, Leighton
Buzzard RFC sometime in the future.”
A message to clubs from RFU Chief Executive Bill Sweeney said: “My thoughts and those of all of us at the RFU are with everyone impacted by COVID-19 both across the country at large but also within our own rugby union community.
“In order to provide clarity the RFU has announced the end of the season for all league, cup and county rugby.
“I would like to personally thank everyone for their swift actions, this is not an easy time.”