By Zippy
January 26 2006

The amazing rugby ball tampering row between Bridgend Ravens and Neath RFC looks set to rumble on, for full details please read on.

Since the first reports broke several weeks ago nothing has been said by either club to clam the issue down.

 

Ravens chairman Derek King has vowed to stick to his guns, saying “I will certainly not be apologising or conducting any enquiry because the whole thing is ludicrous.”

 

The claims rose at the clash on New Years Eve and internet messageboards including this one have been discussing the issue.

 

There have even been suggestions on forums that special balls containing helium were being used to make them travel further when taking place kicks.

 

Certainly in the Konica Minolta Cup defeat suffered by Bridgend at the Gnoll, James Hook kicked a penalty from 2 metres inside his own half which was still clear of the top of the posts when it crossed the bar, saying that Hook is a top class kicker.

 

A Neath RFC spokesman poured scorn on the claims as visiting clubs always have to use the home sides balls.

 

A flat “no” was his response to claims that Neath filled their balls with helium.

 

Before the Ravens game at Bedwas, King said “I have studied very closely our video of the game and the BBC film of the incident.

“It is quite clear from those that a different ball was used for the conversion of the Martyn Morgan try because, although it was Gilbert it had different markings from those used by Bridgend Ravens.”

 

That in itself is against WRU law 2.6 Spare Balls – which states that a team must not gain unfair advantage or attempt to gain unfair advantage by using them or changing them.

 

Neath claimed the ball they were offered for the conversion didn’t comply with law 2.5 which states the air pressure should be between 9.5 and 10 lbs a square inch.

 

Even if that were the case Neath still should have used a Bridgend match ball.

 

Watch this space for further developments as this amazing story unravels