Crisis-hit Neath are deducted six points

CRISIS club Neath have been deducted six Principality Premiership points for failing to fulfil fixtures against Bedwas and RGC 1404 last month.

And the Welsh All Blacks have also been fined £50 and threatened with exclusion from the WRU National Cup, a competition they’ve won on six occasions, for pulling out of their first round match at Pontypool last Saturday.

Neath are in the grip of the most worrying period in their 147-year history, one that has seen a glut of players and coaches depart, with volunteers who have been helping to run the club saying they are also unable to fulfil their roles.

A winding-up order has been fought off against Neath Rugby Limited, but there remains uncertainty and a section of supporters have intensified calls for owner Mike Cuddy to hand over the reins. Last month, a group of 68 ex-Neath players put their names to a public letter published on the club’s official website calling for a change of ownership at the troubled club.

They are rooted to the bottom of the Principality Premiership with just one win from 15 games and have now seen the nine points accrued this season, reduced to three by the Welsh Rugby Union after failure to fulfil games with Bedwas and RGC.

They were already destined for the drop from the Premiership and the latest blow has merely sealed their fate.

A WRU statement read: “The Committee was in full understanding of the club’s current difficult circumstances and initially suspended the deduction of two points in relation its first offence

“Failure to fulfil a WRU Cup fixture against Pontypool on January 5, and their subsequent withdrawal from the Cup, has also led to a £50 fine and a warning that further penalties and/or exclusion from that competition could follow a repeat offence.

“The WRU’s Competitions Management Committee found Neath in breach of General Rule 8 (i) of the National League Rules, but expressed regret when imposing the sanctions.

“The Committee was in full understanding of the club’s current difficult circumstances and initially suspended the deduction of two points in relation its first offence (regarding Bedwas v Neath on Saturday, December 1), but this suspension was dependant on the club not being found in breach of regulations for the remainder of the season.

“The breach which occurred on December 15 (Neath v RGC) incurred a further four-point penalty and activated the suspended two-point sanction, leading to a total deduction of six National League points.”