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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Andy McGilvray

Biggar Rugby Club consider options after season declared 'null and void'

Biggar are considering their options after Scottish Rugby declared the season 'null and void', denying them the Tennent's National League 1 title.

It means there will be no automatic promotion or relegation, and Scottish Rugby say they came to the decision following consultation involving participating clubs, the Championship and Competition Committee members and Scottish Rugby's own Rugby Development Department.

The Hartree Mill club won their league by a clear 19 points over Heriot's Blues, which would have granted them promotion to the Premiership. They had already been presented with the trophy.

A club spokesperson said: "As a club we're absolutely gutted at the decision. The players and coaching staff worked so hard throughout the season and were rewarded with the trophy presentation after the Stirling match.

"A double promotion and entry to the very top level of Scottish club rugby was an achievement we were extremely proud of and had hoped to celebrate properly at some stage - now huge disappointment.

"At the moment we are considering our position, so honestly nothing much to say other than that.

"It is of course clear that in the grand scale of things, when people are losing their jobs, becoming ill and losing loved ones, that our disappointment is small fare."

Scottish Rugby say the season has been declared 'null and void', joining their Irish, Welsh and Italian counterparts in coming to that decision.

The decision comes after a suspension and then final closure of the season, based on government advice in relation to coronavirus.

Scottish Rugby president Dee Bradbury said: "It was clear from the outset that, in terms of the consequential impact on the various leagues in terms of promotion/relegation there would be no 'right' solution, particularly once it was clear that our preferred option of completing the season could no longer be possible.

"Every solution we looked at was likely to be problematic in some way - none was likely to be supported by everyone. It was therefore considered essential that the full range of options were explored, each potential option was sense checked and that, as far as possible, a broad consensus was reached across the game as to the most appropriate outcome.

"We fully accept some clubs will be disappointed with this decision and share their frustration that, for wider societal reasons beyond our control, their hard work to push for success this season hasn't yielded the rewards they deserve."

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