The decision to have two byes operating in the preliminary round of the Wairarapa-Bush premier division rugby competition this season was not ideal, but it was what the majority of clubs wanted. So says Dennis Dougherty, convenor of the fixtures committee for the union's council of clubs which is responsible forthe organisation of club rugby in the region. Clarifying reasons why the two bye system became law, Dougherty pointed out the club season was originally set down to start on April 1 with the finals to be held on July 29. The draw for premier division play was done in late January to enable clubs fair time to apply for funding for bus travel. At that stage 11 teams were expected to be in the premier division series but that number was reduced to 10 when Featherston withdrew just before round one matches were due to commence. This meant no time was left for a re-draw to be done for week one matches. Mr Dougherty says by this stage many clubs had set and advertised club days and also arranged activities for bye days. Therefore it was deemed easier to leave the draw alone as much as possible and therefore the decision to have two byes had been made. He said that format also allowed the union to draw premier division and president grade teams from the same clubs at the same venues on a regular basis. "The council of clubs passed the format and the draw, noting the circumstances above, and knowing the draw was not ideal," Mr Dougherty said.
