page revision date : Sunday 28th june 2009
It’s time to sort out the KO Cup!
Forgive me for returning to the saga of the KO Cup once again but there really should be progress now that the local press has taken up its considerable cudgel!
Much has been made there recently about the ongoing saga of the Pembrokeshire Knock Out Cup in local rugby and the fact that Narberth and Whitland dominate the competition so much that it has become a farce.
I would agree in principle with the sentiments of the sports editor of the Western Telegraph but would take issue with his head line since the final was anything but a ‘farce’ because it was hard-fought and showed the level of skill and physicality now in the game at their level.
Big GG adds his comments
Gareth Griffiths, the dynamic chairman of Haverfordwest RFC, also contributed well to the debate as he talked about the fact that both teams have a number of players who started out with other clubs in the county before moving up a level – but that was ever thus and I don’t need to remind him that the Blues have recruited well from other clubs when they were in their pomp, as did Tenby United when they were the fore-runners of Pembrokeshire Rugby.
Kenny chips in
Kenny Davies, speaking for the status quo, also said that every sport has its front runners and no-one there grumbles when Hakin United (football) or Haverfordwest (cricket) scoop the silverware – but that isn’t quite the fact because you try telling that to Monkton Swifts, Merlins Bridge and Goodwick United football clubs, or Carew and Cresselly Cricket Clubs and they would hoot with laughter, as would other sides like St Ishmaels and Neyland!
A cracking final – and daft proposal!
At one time both Narberth and Whitland agreed to drop out of the competition and the result was a cracking final at Whitland where Pembroke Dock Quins beat Crymych – but perhaps, more importantly, there was a huge crowd which was boosted by players and supporters from lots of other teams.
But then a delegate from one club shot the whole thing in the foot at the very next meeting, when the KO Cup was being discussed, by proposing that only clubs who took part could host the final – whereupon Narberth and Whitland understandably said they would have no option but to rejoin the competition since they had two of the best grounds in the county to cater for the final!
Foregone conclusion
As a result, the last three finals have featured the two top clubs and it has been evident, especially in this season’s final, how few spectators came from outside their fan base and the host club, Crymych.
For what it’s worth I’ll throw in my thoughts again about the issue, which I have expressed to local rugby officials involved in the KO Cup for the last five years – but seem to fall on stony ground. Perhaps now is the time they will listen!
** Have a special brand-new trophy for annual competition between whoever are the top two teams in the county based on league positions – and call it something like the Gold Cup or the Prestige Cup (not for the KO Cup because there is no element of knocking out there!)
** Retain the KO Cup for the rest of the teams in District ‘H’ with strict and enforced rules on when the matches must be completed at each stage of the competition.
** Hold both the Prestige Cup and KO Cup Final on the same afternoon at the same venue, with good advanced publicity and trophies worth winning.
** Make sure that the club hosting the two matches have suitable public address systems so that supporters are kept informed.
** Look at other peripheral entertainment and good catering to make sure that whole families can attend.
Fortunately, I know that both Narberth and Whitland are aware of the antipathy regarding the event and I am sure will negotiate sensibly on any changes. But it is wrong to blame them because the whole matter needs bringing into the 21st century for the benefit of ALL clubs in Pembrokeshire!
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