New format for colts grade

COLTS rugby kicks off tomorrow but the format has been altered from last year to better reflect the reality of playing rugby in a university city such as Dunedin.

Otago Rugby Football Union community rugby manager Richard Perkins confirmed the premier colts season would be split into two separate tournaments and there would be a hiatus during the exam and university holiday period.

There are eight teams in the premier grade this season, including Southland Boys’ High School.

The teams will play each other in a roundrobin with the top four teams progressing to the playoffs.

The bottom four sides will have consolation semifinals and a final to aim for as well.

A date for the final has not been confirmed yet but it will be played on either the first or second weekend in June.

The teams will reassemble following the university break for a fourround knockoutstyle tournament beginning on July 14.

‘‘It is a different format because the clubs want to have a straightforward competition which will not be interrupted by exams and holidays,’’ Perkins said.

‘‘We have listened to the feedback from the rugby clubs and put in the format that they wish to see.’’

Perkins said in the past there had been deferred games and teams had struggled to put a side together during the university holiday period. It was messy and needed a new structure which better served the community.

There are nine teams in the junior colts grade. Their competitions will also break during the university holidays.