Yorkshire Rugby

And now Heath can't raise a 2nd team for the playoffs.

Having seen a statement from the club, Heath have fallen foul of the 5 1stxv appearances rule with a large portion of their 2s.
Not sure that rule will help the likes of Watch either but plays perfectly in to clubs that run seperate sides like Harrogate and Hudds.

Suspect Wath will be fielding their strongest 1st XV this week, they need 2 good 5 point wins to ensure promotion.

Understand the rule, however 2XV fixtures in Merit leagues I believed were not suppose to happen on non league weekends.

Why have playoffs?

Quote from: BenFoden's grey beard on Apr 16, 2026, 04:54 PMHaving seen a statement from the club, Heath have fallen foul of the 5 1stxv appearances rule with a large portion of their 2s.
Not sure that rule will help the likes of Watch either but plays perfectly in to clubs that run seperate sides like Harrogate and Hudds.

Gate don't run separate sides
It's a simple selection process, if you're not selected for the first team, you're playing second team.

Think it should stay this way for the whole season. Can sort of understand the u20's rule of 5 games, but will stop a whole batch of really good players from representing their county.

Thinking back
The 5 appearance rule is sh1te

You could not have featured in 16 of 22 first team games, but now not eligible to play twos. Must rule a boat load of players out of contention.

Feel sorry for Heath

Don't feel sorry for Heath they appointed a second team coach who was coaching Rishies academy in the hope he would steal all that age group to bolster their 2nd team.

Depends which side of the fence you sit on.
He was turned down for a role in the Rish senior set up so took the opportunity elsewhere...

Quote from: cynic on Apr 17, 2026, 06:29 AMDon't feel sorry for Heath they appointed a second team coach who was coaching Rishies academy in the hope he would steal all that age group to bolster their 2nd team.

Nah, they won the league by only losing once and now can't play in the playoffs due to players playing county rugby and being not eligible

Rubbish system

That doesn't disprove my point. A club as big and successful as them could get a side out tomorrow even if it got hammered

Quote from: BishBashBosh on Apr 17, 2026, 06:15 PM

Quote from: cynic on Apr 17, 2026, 06:29 AMDon't feel sorry for Heath they appointed a second team coach who was coaching Rishies academy in the hope he would steal all that age group to bolster their 2nd team.

Nah, they won the league by only losing once and now can't play in the playoffs due to players playing county rugby and being not eligible

Rubbish system

Quote from: cynic on Apr 17, 2026, 08:09 PMThat doesn't disprove my point. A club as big and successful as them could get a side out tomorrow even if it got hammered

Quote from: BishBashBosh on Apr 17, 2026, 06:15 PMWhat is your point though?
Junior coach at Rish is overlooked for a senior role, so leaves to be second team coach at a club two leagues above (now three)?

The point should be that any player can play for the twos during the season, but because of the playoffs you can now only have players with less than 5 first team appearances.

A player could have played 15 times for the twos and benched 6 times for the ones - do you class him as a first team or second team player? This player would not be allowed to play in the merit league playoff - farsicle

So personal ego goes before what's best for the lads that he's nurtured?

Quote from: BenFoden's grey beard on Apr 17, 2026, 02:33 PMDepends which side of the fence you sit on.
He was turned down for a role in the Rish senior set up so took the opportunity elsewhere...

You'll have to make your point more clearly. I was pointing out that he wasn't appointed to steal players but took up an opportunity elsewhere as there wasn't one at Rish.

How many lads followed him out of interest? The picture of Heath's 2s on their Facebook didn't look like a group of colts.

Is staying at Rish vs going to Heath better for the lads he's nurtured?
Genuine questions.