EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS REPORTS

BILL LOTHIAN
AN EDINBURGH rugby club today denounced plans by Murrayfield bosses to scrap the national knock-out cup next season as "criminal".

The attack by national league side, Broughton, comes as formal notification to petition for a change that would see localised friendlies introduced instead is posted on the SRU website.

The issue was revealed by the Evening News on April 24 and since then other sources have also indicated the governing body wish to clear the decks for even more representative fixtures.

Mark Brown, president of Broughton, says the Cup must stay, arguing: "We have had some cracking games at Wardie over the last two years. To deny players the chance to play and the club the opportunity to raise vital cash from these glamour ties is criminal."

Brown contacted the Evening News to say that last weekend's finals day is proof of interest.

"I am sure that the 6,000-strong crowd plus the clubs would disagree (with plans to drop the cup). What better feeling could any amateur player have than to play in a Cup Final at one of the world's most famous sporting arenas? Now the SRU want to deny that 'tell your Grandchildren story' fairytale to all players."

The SRU explanation of the thinking behind a motion to be proposed by SRU chairman Allan Munro and president George Jack says: "The scheduling of competitive fixtures on international weekends has met with considerable criticism."

This article was originally posted on 7-May-2008, 11:21 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 7-May-2008, 11:21.