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Methley Royals to regroup
Methley Royals will regroup this week after failing to fulfil their opening CMS Yorkshire League Division One fixture at Brotherton.
The Royals, who had never previously backtracked on a competitive match, were hit by the unavailability of essentially a full side for reasons ranging from work commitments, holidays, injuries and illness to a wedding.
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Vice-chairman Phil Hodgson told Kippax Today: "We knew we were close to the bare bones at training on Thursday evening, but we certainly still had the numbers at that stage, with 15 or 16 players expected to travel.
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"However, two lads we had anticipated being available (one who had been ill, the other who had work commitments) were in the event unable to get away. And we were dealt a real blow when three others simply failed to show up at our Rose & Crown base and couldn't be raised on their mobiles – a syndrome that many amateur Rugby League administrators will perhaps recognise.
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"Because of that we were left with only 11 players and had no alternative other than to concede the game."
He added: "The episode is perhaps the lowest point in our history but if there are any saving graces they are the attitude of the 11 lads who showed up (and of many of those who simply couldn't make it), and the very kind response of Brotherton, and in particular their Secretary Mark Newby, who couldn't have been more understanding.
"But the bottom line is that it's not good enough. We've let our opposition - and our own players - down and I have to take personal responsibility for not properly establishing who was definitely available and for not ensuring that players liaise fully with the committee. We will try to resolve that aspect, for the future, this week."
The Royals, who have 30 players on their books, are at home to last season's big rivals and Division Two champions Bentley Good Companions on Saturday, September 12, with a 2.30pm kick-off.
Queensbury visit, seven days later, in the BARLA Yorkshire Cup.
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Weather for Leeds
Saturday 19 May 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 7 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 7 C to 12 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: North east
