I have played for 4 Yorkshire clubs during my playing days, and during that time I have enjoyed attending many Clubs and some not so, but it paines me to see a Club I thought was one of the good ones has finally fallen.
They are a good local family club and you always had a good hard game, home and away, but not now.
Last week North Ribblesdale fielded 8 first team players in a 2nd team merit game: I ask the question is winning that important?
I understand YRFU have now awarded the game to the loosers, Yarnbury RFC and deservedly because North Ribb not only cheated they have dropped 8 second team players who have played all season because of their ridiculous win at all cost team selection.
They should be ashamed.
I'm really sorry to hear that if it's true.
I'm sure flaggy might have an alternative version?
Quote from: backrowbandit on May 01, 2026, 07:08 PMI'm really sorry to hear that if it's true.
I'm sure flaggy might have an alternative version?
He does, and the behaviour of Yarnbury on the day was pretty poor.
Starter boy,
We have used over 40 players in the first team this season, so, I am not not sure of your mathematical prowess. By definition if we were to use players who hadnt played 1st xv, it would have been made up of what would have effectively been a 3rd/4th team which (like many clubs) we do not currently possess. Your barbed comments, whilst your opinion, do you no favours and seem unreasonably directed at "Ribb" as a club of whose reputation I and many others are justifiably proud. The players who played were all regular second teamers with the exception of two front rows (one who actually played in the centre) to help us get a side out. The second team captain who has played several times, mostly from the bench, wanted to lead his team in a big game, nothing wrong with that (its the culture we are trying to nurture). The authorities have made a decision which whilst we dont agree with, we accept without rancour. Hardly the crime of the century and I sincerely hope our formidable reputation is not too diminished in many eyes other than perhaps your myopic one.
Ribbflag moan
First off, I'm surprised but pleased you didn't blame someone else, like Yorkshire, Yarnbury, or an admin error, for your club's dishonesty. But you totally skipped over the fact that the YRFU had given North Ribb at least two warnings (this is from a Yorkshire member) before the Merit game for playing ineligible players. I guess by playing 8 first team players they think , quite rightly, you are cheating hence the game was taken away from you.
So, whether you agree or not with YRFU, North Ribb isn't above the law and has to follow the rules so to stop other clubs from taking the same underhanded approach by degrading the rugby morals we all love.
By all means defend your club, as I understand you are a Club representative within the Yorkshire structure,this saddens me as on one hand, you stand up for the smaller Yorkshire clubs yet hypocritically you defend wrong doing in your Club because its in your own intrest; all at the expense of the Rugby values.
Ribb is a small club, great for the local community and family but nothing more; cheating to win a merit game is a bad reflection on you as a club.
Again I reinforce my previous comments and you personally should be ashamed especially in the position you hold within the Yorkshire structure.
When there are two sets of opposing opinions all that is left is the facts.
The only fact that both clubs seem to agree on is that North Ribb were thrown out of a cup for "something".
It certainly seems they were in the wrong in this instance.
Ribb are a decent well run club who I have had dealings with over the years and can't fault them.
I wouldn't want to be Yarnbury being awarded the result this way then again some teams will take anything.
Personally don't have any faith anything the Yorkshire RFU do. Blazer brigade.
What defines a first team player?
Anyone that has been selected for a first team squad over the season or has to have played/started a number of first team games? Where is the boundary to what is and isn't a first team player.
Quote from: BishBashBosh on May 04, 2026, 10:23 PMWhat defines a first team player?
Anyone that has been selected for a first team squad over the season or has to have played/started a number of first team games? Where is the boundary to what is and isn't a first team player.
An interesting question that can have wider implications.
I believe the merit league defined it as having played more than 5 matches for the 1sts. This was the regs for the playoff semis (Although it starts clearly then goes a bit woolly) :
Play Off Regulations
1.Players should not have played more than five games at a higher level. However common sense will prevail if a genuine 2nd/3rd team player falls into this category.
Quote from: backrowbandit on May 05, 2026, 07:47 AMI believe the merit league defined it as having played more than 5 matches for the 1sts. This was the regs for the playoff semis (Although it starts clearly then goes a bit woolly) :
Play Off Regulations
1.Players should not have played more than five games at a higher level. However common sense will prevail if a genuine 2nd/3rd team player falls into this category.
Fully implement that rule and there will be loads of lads not playing rugby on a Saturday
Quote from: BishBashBosh on May 05, 2026, 08:42 AMQuote from: backrowbandit on May 05, 2026, 07:47 AMI believe the merit league defined it as having played more than 5 matches for the 1sts. This was the regs for the playoff semis (Although it starts clearly then goes a bit woolly) :
Play Off Regulations
1.Players should not have played more than five games at a higher level. However common sense will prevail if a genuine 2nd/3rd team player falls into this category.
Fully implement that rule and there will be loads of lads not playing rugby on a Saturday
Hence the somewhat pyrric victory for Yarnbury.
He's me thinking we would be having this discussion next year!!!!
Starter Boy,
you seem very well connected within the Yorkshire entourage. Actually you are ill informed. Yes, I was a member of the comps committee but resigned forthwith due to the incorrect way that a "vote" was held recently, as the decision had already been made despite the county chairman then conducting a "secret ballot" with the voting slips not being available for verification. I didnt want to be part of an organisation that treats its members with such contempt. I am surprised your county "mole" didnt explain that (maybe too embarrassed). We still stand behind the team that played last week, but accept the decision made as thats life and you just have to get on with it.
Really important to have the definitions clear at the start of the season and even more so with 2nd teams in Leagues. The defination for who is a 1st team player is a tough one and bound to be problems with whichever defination is used.
Personally i would consider a player a "1st team player" if the majority of games they have played that season have been for the 1st team, but could see that being a pain to manage. So fully understand reverting to the more simplistic X number of games, personally i think 5 is too few by the end of the season.
Out of interest does anyone know how, if at all, this been implemented and managed in other leagues were they have 2nd teams playing (I suspect if it was exploited the scoreline would make it fairly obvious that something fishy had gone on) ?
Take a look at Syston from near Leicester and their end of season results. Makes us look angelic!!!!!
What about making it pretty simple.
You can't play for the twos if you started for the first team the week previous and the first team don't have a game?
The X number of games will penalise the players that bounce between first and second team, especially when coming to the end of the season. It will also penalise players coming back from injury or have been sitting on the bench for a few weeks. We want and very dearly need as many players playing rugby currently.
Can't see many teams not using 25-30+ players in their first team over the season, even more as you go up the leagues.