Rugby team return to trophy

Mounts Bay RFC is back in the EDF National Trophy, following their defeat to Esher earlier this month.

The Rugby Football Union disqualified Esher after it broke the rules. Mounts Bay were originally knocked out after losing 43-5 at home.

During the match, when Mounts Bay were 33-0 down, Esher fielded on-loan winger Dominic Shabbdo. However a subsequent ruling by the RFU said Esher’s substitution broke the rules of the game.

Shabbdo had already played for Premiership club London Irish in the Anglo-Welsh Cup earlier this season. The management of Esher Rugby has expressed its disappointment at being expelled from the EDF National Trophy.

Esher says it was unaware that Shabbdo had already played for London Irish.

Struggle

The reprieve is good news for Mounts Bay. The club has been fighting to avoid relegation from League Two this season. Mounts Bay chief executive Roger Moyle has warned the club faces an uncertain future in the current financial crisis,

"To categorically state that our future is 100% financially secure is not possible."

Mounts Bay is now pleading with fans to donate money through its website, after the attendance for matches dropped from 700 to 400.

The club was promoted from National Three South at the end of last season, and are currently eleventh in National Two.

Mounts Bay's next match is against Blaydon is next Saturday.