Official West Hartlepool RFC

Was this U16/17's or U17/18s game please?

So i take it the ref was ok with U16's, U17's and U18's all playing on the same pitch???

All the West 18's now play for the Stags / AMS

No sorry on about Rovers and certain double standards

Andy

U16's???? I wasn't aware of any, although I don't know the Rovers players to be certain, but as for 2 x U18's that was fine by me, or none of them would have had a game would they? Given the lack of teams in this league anymore - apparently at least 3 of the 'big' clubs have dropped out, the need for these lads to get games, and then get them into the senior teams, is the priority. For Rovers to turn up with a bare 15, 2 of whom had actually played the day before for the senior teams, is a credit to their club I reckon, plus a big thanks should go to the West lads who agreed to play against their own team mates. the game itself did end up a bit of a farce eventually, mainly due to the uncontested scrums and the cold weather from my point of view, but I think they all enjoyed the game as much as they could, or as much as I let them!

Don't know the ins and outs of this one but you can't argue with a word that Tim the Ref has said. Well done sir.

Tim, agree with what you say and i think the lads are a great bunch. Rovers played 1 U16 as well and after saying last week that was not possible, this is what i have an issue with

FACT Rugby Union has the biggest loss of players between the ages of 16 and 20. On Sunday west turned out 17 players and rovers 15, by mutual agreement of players, coaches and ref the game went ahead, as the ref said, not a great spectical of rugby, but a game non the less, where other club sides of this age group have folded it is a credit to all who turned up on sunday that the game went ahead. I for one did not see anyone holding a gun to any players head and make them play, what i did see was a bunch of lads enjoying themselves on a sunday morning in the wind and rain 'trying' to play a game of RUGBY. Well done to all at Brinkbun on sunday. Here's to the return match.

Hang on here Barry, i ain't having a go at you here so back off a little will you!! What has wound me up is FACT Rovers coaches stated last week this could not be done and this week it could!! God forbid a serious injury did happen, what would be the scenario then????

Actually i think under RFU Guidelines it is and cannot and should not be done. Again if something happened they might not be covered under RFU Insurance
Sorry

Gentlemen,

Not sure what is happening here, but should it be on this website?
With regards to Age restrictions etc., I have copy/paste this from the RFU Rules and Regulations website:

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2 Age Grades and Applicable Variations

2.1 In Youth Rugby players shall play in their own age grade unless they fall within one of the following exceptions:

(a) Very talented or physically developed players in the U13, U14 and U15 age grades may play up one age grade with appropriate permission;

(b) Those in the U16 and U17 age grades may play up two age grades;

(c) In very exceptional circumstances, where a young person’s safety may be compromised due to a developmental disability (physical or behavioural) that young person may play down one age grade.

2.2 Players may only play adult rugby, or train with other adults, when they have reached their eighteenth birthday unless they comply with one of the following exceptions:

(a) players who are aged 17 may play adult rugby and train with other adults provided they have been assessed as capable of playing with adults. This exception does not apply to playing in the front row of the scrum during contested or uncontested scrummages either during training or in a match, where there is an absolute prohibition on players under the age of 18 playing in adult rugby.

(b) Players who are aged 16 may play adult rugby and train with other adults if they are members of one of the RFU’s England Rugby Academies and the RFU Elite Rugby Director has given his specific consent. Such consent must be given on each occasion of playing or training.

2.3 Permission to play must be obtained from either the player’s parent, guardian or head teacher before any person under the age of 18 plays adult rugby or plays with players who are not in the same annual age banding. When assessing whether a player under 18 is capable of playing adult rugby, those responsible for making the decision must take account of the guidelines at paragraphs 1.1 – 1.6 below.

2.4 The Age limit for all Age Grades is determined as being under the specified age at midnight on 31 August at the beginning of the season in which matches are to be played. The appropriate age group applies for the whole season. At representative level (U17 and U18 only) the age limit is determined at midnight on 31st December of that season.

2.5 No player may be permitted to play in matches involving school teams once he has reached his 19th birthday.

2.6 The Under 19 Law Variations at Appendix 1 apply to matches when all players are aged 18 years and under.
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So if I read it right, an U16 player can play against U18s, if he is capable of doing so!

Ok Thanks Brian, did not realise it changed for U16's upover. I will put my teddy firmly back in the pram now

Thank you

so does that mean 16 year olds can play for the thirds ?? ... or do i have too play for england first :P ?? cheers