Kempton Rugby Club tackles depleted team speculation
The Kempton Park Rugby Club has come on record about fielding an under-strength first side in their Merlin Rugby League clash against East Rand United, in Reiger Park, on June 27.
With most of Kempton’s premier XV players absent from activity on the day, the side which ran out onto the field included a mixture of players from Kempton’s u-21 and second sides, along with a few first team players.
Also included were a few social players.
This is according to André Hartley, Kempton Park Rugby Club chairman.
United went on to win the encounter 104-7.
When asked why the majority Kempton’s senior side players were absent, Hartley replied: “Based on an isolated incident between an East Rand United player and an Elsburg Rugby Club player a couple of weeks ago, when the latter was allegedly hit with a brick, players from our first side decided to make themselves unavailable, for their safety, due to the allegations.
“Players have the right to make themselves unavailable, because they’re not paid.”
Hartley downplayed the safety of players in Reiger Park and declared that rugby was the winner at the end of the day.
“I was there [on June 27], from morning, and from what I saw confirmed that it [the United vs Elsburg allegation] was an isolated incident.
“It was a good day of rugby.
”Congratulations to the East Rand United first team, but it would’ve have been a different story if our first team players had pitched.
“The heavy loss to our first side was also an isolated incident if you look at the scores across the day. It was only our first team who lost in that manner.”
Other scores:
ER United second side 21-19 Kempton second side.
u-21: ER United 18-48 Kempton. – @SabeloBoksburg
