Devon updates & breaking news
Devon RFU Competitions Committee.
Proposals for league rugby in 2009/10 at level 8 & below.
Following the meeting of Clubs at Ashburton, the DRFU Competitions Committee considered all the views expressed. Although none of the options received overwhelming support, there was a clear majority in favour of more guaranteed competitive fixtures. It was therefore agreed to support the increase in size of the Cornwall & Devon League to 14 clubs for next season. As agreed at the meeting, I put to Cornwall the possibility of extending Cornwall and Devon groupings further down the structure. This did not meet with their support.
We anticipate that this will leave some 18 Devon clubs to be accommodated below level 8. A straight split into Devon 1 & 2 would provide 16 league fixtures per club. This is clearly not acceptable. If Devon 1 were increased in size to increase fixture numbers, the residue of clubs in Devon 2 would be left in a parlous state. We have, therefore, had to think of radically different structures which seek to provide a viable fixture list whilst addressing the concerns expressed about excessive travel and frequent mismatches. Accordingly we propose that the structure set out below is adopted for season 2009/10 with a review to take place in April 2010.
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Devon clubs below level 8 will be divided into two geographically based leagues, very roughly Devon 1 N/E and Devon 1 S/W. For the purposes of illustration it is assumed this will be 18 clubs divided into two leagues of 9 each. They will play each other home and away (16 fixtures).
The top 5 clubs in each area league will then compete in the Devon 1 Promotion League. They will carry forward the 8 results achieved against the other clubs from their area going into the Promotion league. They will then play home and away against the 5 clubs from the other area (10 fixtures ). This will give these clubs the equivalent number of fixtures as if they had been in a conventional league of 14 clubs. The team finishing top of the Devon 1 Promotion League will be promoted to the Cornwall & Devon League. The runner-up will contest any promotion play-off match that might be in the structure.
The bottom 4 clubs in each area league will then compete in the Devon 1 Ranking League. They will carry forward the 6 results achieved against the other clubs from their area going into the Ranking League. They will then play home and away against the 4 clubs from the other area (8 fixtures). This will give each club 24 competitive league fixtures.
Final positions in the Devon 1 Promotion and Ranking Leagues will be used to determine the seeding for the Devon Junior Cup in the following season. It is hoped to provide trophies for all the clubs winning the various stages set out above.
Geoff Simpson, Devon RFU Competitions secretary, February 2009.
Click on Handbook Changes tab to see amendments notified so far. If you have any alterations to the published details for your Club, please notify John Kirk by e-mail or in writing.
Nigel Larcombe-Williams has been appointed as Devon Welfare Manager to oversee all aspects of child protection and safeguarding within the County. His contact details are:
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Nigel Larcombe-Williams, 12 Fitzford Cottages, Tavistock, PL19 8DB.
Tel: (H) 01822 612349; (Mob) 07966 423216e-mail: larcombeassociates@btinternet.com
Tribute Ale (St. Austell Brewery) will again be sponsoring league rugby in Devon, Cornwall & Somerset in 2008/09. They would welcome news stories and photos from your matches and rugby related prizes will be awarded for successful submissions. Send your contributions to: GJones@brayleino.co.uk . For more details see the Rugby Links tab or click directly on their weblink http://www.tributeale.co.uk .
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