Appeal

It's tough but sadly, that's the way the rules are written and thus alas have to be enforced that way. I do feel for Tring but the problem they have is that by the letter of the law, they have no choice but to accept the penalty.

Tring were in a no-win situation.

tl;dr - Do the right thing, get punished.

12 - "...Tring RUFC acted responsibly in stopping the spread among their own players and preventing a spread to Dorking RFC players."

14 - "We should deal first with the suggestion that dismissing this appeal would lead to a situation where the health and safety of future players would be put at risk because clubs in the position of Tring RUFC might decide to field players even though they might be infected. Any such action would be contrary to the core values of the game, including the values of integrity and respect. In our judgement any Club which put any player at risk by fielding players who were known to be at real risk of passing on an infection to other players and teams would be very likely to face proceedings under the RFU Regulations and Rules (including Rule 5.12) for penalties far in excess of a 5-point deduction... the response by Tring RUFC to the outbreak of HFM was a proper and reasonable response to the situation."

16 - "In our judgment the League Secretary and the Disciplinary panel below were entitled to consider that the 5-point deduction was properly imposed on Tring RUFC. We consider that Mr Kaminski was right to submit that even if a club acts reasonably and properly (as Tring RUFC did), that does not mean that they have a justifiable reason under Regulation 13.6.11(b) for not fulfilling the fixture."

The decision is made and nothing anyone says here will make any difference, but as we're here... 

I'm not a Dorking or Tring supporter.  I understand the frustration from Dorking's perspective.  Under the circumstances Tring did the right thing.  I don't think there's any benefit to anyone in the points deduction.  I really feel for Tring.  

SurreyRugby wrote: Hi. It is unfortunate for Tring. It is noted that Tring played a 3rd team on the Friday evening plus a full programme of junior games on the Sunday. If this disease was so infectious, why did these games take place? I'm a bit confused by Trings abitary actions.

Presumably because the outbreak was confined to the first team squad who probably train at different times or separately from the rest of the club.

It is also possible that any other club members who could have been affected through contact with the first team squad were withdrawn from junior fixtures?

Am I being naive ?
Every sympathy for both Clubs but…
Surely, 2nd XV players step into the 1st XV, 3rd XV players step into the 2nd XV, etc. until the lowest senior team at the club postpones their fixture.
Three 1st XV players unavailable
Three 2nd XV players step up into the 1st XV
Three 3rd XV players step into the 2nd XV

Happened at my club a few weeks ago.
Each team got a thorough spanking but we fulfilled our commitments.



Edited by MikeGC - 15 Nov 2021 at 16:03

Perfect. That is what I was trying to say

Can anyone confirm if any clubs have had to postpone matches due to Covid and if they have been deducted 5 points? If not it seems a hugely unfair and arbitrary decision against Tring.  

Plenty postponed due to Covid at all levels - no sanctions imposed

Raider999 wrote: SurreyRugby wrote: Hi. It is unfortunate for Tring. It is noted that Tring played a 3rd team on the Friday evening plus a full programme of junior games on the Sunday. If this disease was so infectious, why did these games take place? I'm a bit confused by Trings abitary actions. Presumably because the outbreak was confined to the first team squad who probably train at different times or separately from the rest of the club. It is also possible that any other club members who could have been affected through contact with the first team squad were withdrawn from junior fixtures?

At the time, all squads/juniors were training separately.

Edited by Thunderpants - 14 Nov 2021 at 19:23

Hi Thunderpants. You probably know more about how Tring are structured.
I don't know any club at this level with different training for the seniors. Do they also use seperate changing rooms and bar areas too? If this disease is so contagious then the whole tring clubhouse would have to be closed too.