Gundagai’s plea for points fails

The move was made final following an extraordinary meeting which lasted more than one and a half hours.

Representatives from each of the 11 senior and 11 junior clubs, a referees representative and the Group Nine executive voted on whether Gundagai would be able to keep their points after a secret deal was brokered with Country Rugby League area manager David Skinner earlier this season.

The Tigers and Skinner came to an arrangement where Gundagai would play for no points after portability clearances for two Cootamundra under 15 players, James Wilson and Wayne Parker, were denied because the clubs don’t have a recognised affiliation, meaning they wouldn’t have the numbers to sustain a team.

However rival clubs and many within the Tigers’ ranks weren’t told of the deal.

Hay, the Tigers’ secretary, and Skinner both admitted they wouldn’t do the same thing again.

Gundagai fell five votes short of their wish with 10 votes for and 18 votes against keeping their points.

There is no means to appeal the decision meaning the saga has come to a bitter end.

Gundagai representatives Steve Rose and Martin Hay stormed out of the meeting after the vote with Rose demonstrating his disgust in the result before leaving.

Hay said he was disappointed in the outcome after believing he had the support of the other Group Nine clubs.

“I’m devastated actually as I feel it is all my fault – and it probably is,” Hay said. “I know in my heart I was doing it for the good on the kids and to get them on the paddock.”

Group Nine president Jack Morton said it was an unfortunate situation but was pleased a resolution was made.

“It is unfortunate for Gundagai and I wish it hadn’t of happened but I believe it was taken out of our hands and all done by CRL,” he said.

Gundagai’s under 16 team will be able to play out the rest of the season for no points and Wilson and Parker will be able to continue to play for the Tigers.

The Tigers had already forfeited this weekend’s game to Albury on Saturday.