TWO WELSH RUGBY TEAMS REMOVED FROM LEAGUE AND ORDERED TO START RIGHT FROM BOTTOM

New Tredegar and St Julians have been removed from Division 4 East after failing to fulfill their fixtures for the season.

The two sides have seen their results and points expunged from the record, and both now start next season at the lowest level, in division six.

In a short statement confirming the news, a spokesperson for the WRU said: "St Julians and New Tredegar are to be withdrawn from Division 4 East for the remainder of the season in line with Rule 8 of the National League Rules & Regulations 23-24.

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"Consequently, should they wish to return to the National League pyramid then they will do so at the lowest possible level."

A failure to raise players on a consistent basis, as well as the recent spate of bad weather, is thought to have been a key problem for both sides, in what is the latest concerning example in the grassroots game.

Division 6 East side Cwmcarn United were hammered 108-0 by Hartridge after failing to raise a full side, while West Mon's apparent inability to muster a team together has effectively put Forgeside RFC's promotion push from Division 4 East side on hold for five months. You can read about that, here.

Commenting on this latest move, New Tredegar committee member Ray Davies says many local sides are now struggling.

"We've got seven available dates to play until the end of the season, and we've got nine fixtures to finish. So we'll not finish our fixtures.

"It's a mixture of things. Earlier in the season we had games cancelled due to a lack of players. Of course there's been the weather. We've lost five or six games to the weather. The two combined means we can't fulfill our fixtures.

"The decision was made some time last week. That's the regulations made before the season starts.

"At the moment, it's like a lot of clubs. We're going through some hard times. There's a severe lack of players in our area. We're not the only club struggling.

"Now we're down to six maybe some more players might come out of the woodwork and think the league might be a bit easier. We're just hoping we can get things back to par next year."

2024-04-26T08:55:25Z dg43tfdfdgfd