I’m not sure where locked out obtains his information from. As Hullensians have withdrawn against Ripon the home team has a WO.
Seems strange that clubs are withdrawing, when the clamour appears to be for 14 team leagues!
The competitions have been advertised since June, and only 5 league matches played.
You know why clubs are withdrawing. You have an unenviable task running the Competitions but clubs have long since made it clear that cup comps have had their day. Players see the 'free weekends' on the fixture list so arrange to do other things. Whilst 'Finals Day' at Castle Park appeared to go well last season, YRFU are kidding themselves if they think that means a healthy appetite for Cups.
You were at the meetings when one of our own Council Members was railroading through the RFU aim for 12 team leagues, contrary to the overwhelming wish of those attending to remain at 14 team leagues.
And as for the first iteration of the cup draw this season on the 24th Aug. Who came up with that idea? It doesn't matter how you dress up the revised draw, the damage was done.
Paying a £100 bond to enter seems, at first flush, a good idea. But when teams are going to have to arrange transport to travel when they expect a bit of a stuffing, it's cheaper to give a W/O and have a week off. So i don't think it has had the desired effect some would have hoped for.
