Sharks vote in favour as league makes change

sHAW Cross Sharks will play their National Conference rugby in summer next year, starting in March.

Cross voted with the majority as 28 of the 38 Conference clubs voted in favour of a switch from winter to summer for the amateur game’s flagship competition and it is likely that some local leagues will follow suit.

Sharks’ head coach Brett Turner said the club voted for the major change, although he admitted that not everyone at Cross were in favour of a switch to summer.

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He added: “We realise there are things you can do in summer that you can’t in winter, such as barbecues and going camping for the weekend, and there was dissent at the meeting because some clubs share their facilities with cricket teams and they will have problems.

“We want to maintain high standards of play at Cross and the Conference is the best. Junior leagues are also switching to summer and young lads who are coming through won’t relish a switch to winter when they get older.

“The change to summer seems inevitable all round and you have to go along with it.

“We are fortunate at Shaw Cross because our club is used for functions throughout the year but some clubs are concerned that they will have no one going during the winter.”

The Sharks resume playing activities in Conference Division Two when they host second-placed Castleford Lock Lane at Leeds Road on Wednesday (6.30pm).

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