Goode not surprised by RFU's decision to end season early

The RFU [Rugby Football Union] initially suspended all rugby below the Gallagher Premiership before cancelling the rest of the season.

That means Banbury Bulls will finish in third place in Wadworth 6X South West One East, ten points behind second-placed Royal Wootton Bassett and 11 ahead of Oxford Harlequins.

Goode said: “I wasn’t surprised the RFU ended the season, as soon as it was suspended we all felt that was the end of it. There was no point resuming to play for games, it was the right decision.

“I know that discussion about promotion and relegation will be taking place, personally think that only one team, the champions, will be promoted and there will be no play-off game with only two clubs being relegated instead of three. That will be unfortunate to the second placed club but it will be too difficult to fit that game in.”

Bulls could still have nicked the play-off place behind leaders Old Centralians from Woottton Bassett but Goode admitted the final positions were probably done and dusted.

He added: “We’re probably where were going to finish although Woottton Bassett had a really tough run-in but that doesn’t matter now. I’m just pleased that what has turned out to be our last game was a good one.

“The win at Salisbury with such a youthful side finishes the season on a high note and sums up the campaign in which we’ve used so many young players. The victory in terrible conditions at Oxford Harlequins was also a top display with another very young side which had to battle to get a tight win.

“There have been some outstanding performances this season and, when this all ends, Banbury will be in a much stronger place going forward.”