THE FINAL DETAILS
Championship
By Moorsman
May 13 2010
Hot off the Press - Details of how the Championship Final will be decided
This is it!!
Final
V 
May 19th - Exeter Chiefs v Bristol Rugby - Sandy Park, ko 7:45pm
May 26th - Bristol Rugby v Exeter Chiefs - Memorial Ground, ko 7:45pm
The inaugural Championship kicked off on September 5th 2009 and 29 games later we have sorted out the top two teams. Not too many will be surprised to find they are Bristol Rugby who were relegated from last season's Premiership and Exeter Chiefs who have been knocking on the Premiership door for a few years. Although the new coaching team under Team Manager Robin Cowling were not given promotion as a target this season they have managed the season really well, bring the squad to peek performance levels for the play-off games, semi-final and I'm sure for the double header Final.
The RFU's original plan was for a single Final match* to be played at Twickenham but the Clubs put a proposal to them as detailed here:
RFU Press Release
The Rugby Football Union Management Board today accepted a proposal from the Championship Clubs Committee that the inaugural final be played over two legs, home and away, of the finalists rather than at Twickenham.
This arrangement is subject to the RFU Council agreeing the required regulation change. The matches will be played in midweek in May, dates to be confirmed, subject to discussion with broadcasters Sky.
Board chairman Martyn Thomas said: "The new Championship is proving to be a tightly fought and exciting league, with an average of five tries per match and overall attendance up by 30% on last year.
"The play-off system will ensure a suitable climax to its first season with the ultimate prize of promotion to the Guinness Premiership.
"We have listened to what the clubs want and there will therefore be a two-legged final with the winner decided on aggregate score. This will generate optimum revenue for the finalists and maximise attendances for what should be two great games."
The other games previously scheduled to take place at Twickenham on the original date of May 8 - the finals of the RFU Junior Vase, Senior Vase and Intermediate Cup - will go ahead as planned.
This arrangement is subject to the RFU Council agreeing the required regulation change. The matches will be played in midweek in May, dates to be confirmed, subject to discussion with broadcasters Sky.
Board chairman Martyn Thomas said: "The new Championship is proving to be a tightly fought and exciting league, with an average of five tries per match and overall attendance up by 30% on last year.
"The play-off system will ensure a suitable climax to its first season with the ultimate prize of promotion to the Guinness Premiership.
"We have listened to what the clubs want and there will therefore be a two-legged final with the winner decided on aggregate score. This will generate optimum revenue for the finalists and maximise attendances for what should be two great games."
The other games previously scheduled to take place at Twickenham on the original date of May 8 - the finals of the RFU Junior Vase, Senior Vase and Intermediate Cup - will go ahead as planned.
As it turns out with the two sides being 'close' neighbours there's a great opportunity for both sets of supporters to get behind their teams without breaking the bank. Indeed it looks as if both games are likely to be seen by capacity crowds, 10,500 at Sandy Park and 12,000 at the Memorial Ground.
It's very difficult to predict the outcome as there is very little between the sides going into the final. In the 'league' fixtures the Chiefs took 1st blood with a 35-26 win in Bristol and Bristol won the Sandy Park fixture 25-16, giving both sides 51 points each with Bristol scoring 1 more try.
Hot Off the Press:-
1st leg - Wednesday, May 19, Sandy Park (7.45): Exeter Chiefs v Bristol Rugby (Live on Sky Sports HD)
2nd leg - Wednesday, May 26, Memorial Stadium (7.45): Bristol Rugby v Exeter Chiefs (Live on Sky Sports HD)
If in the second leg, after 40 minutes of play each way the aggregate scores from both matches are level, there will be a five-minute break before extra time will be played consisting of two periods of 10 minutes each way, plus any stoppage time. There will be a one-minute half-time break.
If the scores are tied after extra time, then the team that has scored highest aggregate number of tries in both matches (including extra time) shall be deemed the winner.
However, if the teams have scored the same aggregate number of tries in both matches then the winner of the final will be determined by a place-kick competition, where each team must nominate three players, who were on the playing area at the final whistle of extra time, to take part.
Each will take two kicks in turn from six designated positions on the field, and if the teams are still level at the end of the six kick competition then a 'sudden death' format will be adopted.
It's very difficult to predict the outcome as there is very little between the sides going into the final. In the 'league' fixtures the Chiefs took 1st blood with a 35-26 win in Bristol and Bristol won the Sandy Park fixture 25-16, giving both sides 51 points each with Bristol scoring 1 more try.
Hot Off the Press:-
RFU PRESS RELEASE
Thursday 13th May 2010
Thursday 13th May 2010
RFU Championship final
Final extra time and place-kick competition
1st leg - Wednesday, May 19, Sandy Park (7.45): Exeter Chiefs v Bristol Rugby (Live on Sky Sports HD)
2nd leg - Wednesday, May 26, Memorial Stadium (7.45): Bristol Rugby v Exeter Chiefs (Live on Sky Sports HD)
If in the second leg, after 40 minutes of play each way the aggregate scores from both matches are level, there will be a five-minute break before extra time will be played consisting of two periods of 10 minutes each way, plus any stoppage time. There will be a one-minute half-time break.
If the scores are tied after extra time, then the team that has scored highest aggregate number of tries in both matches (including extra time) shall be deemed the winner.
However, if the teams have scored the same aggregate number of tries in both matches then the winner of the final will be determined by a place-kick competition, where each team must nominate three players, who were on the playing area at the final whistle of extra time, to take part.
Each will take two kicks in turn from six designated positions on the field, and if the teams are still level at the end of the six kick competition then a 'sudden death' format will be adopted.
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So now we have the final details and I for one hope it doesn't go down to Penalty kicks, for one thing my nerves just wouldn't take it !!
THe Final details
Posted by: thechiefstribe.com (IP Logged)
Date: 13/05/2010 17:28
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Re: THe Final details
Posted by: Moorsman (IP Logged)
Date: 13/05/2010 17:52
I emailed the RFU just before lunch and they copied me into the Press Release 
Re: THe Final details
Posted by: fatheralice (IP Logged)
Date: 13/05/2010 19:02
Would be interested to see this place kicking contest in operation, as it is a different setup to the one Cardiff and Leocester had a year or two ago....although obviously not during this final - I don't think anyone could stand it.
Re: THe Final details
Posted by: TryBlues (IP Logged)
Date: 13/05/2010 19:09
I would quite like to see it, better than losing just because you did not get the same number of try's as the opposition!
Re: THe Final details
Posted by: rotherhamtillidie (IP Logged)
Date: 19/05/2010 17:51
when rotherham played bedford in one play off final some years back we didnt get promoted because they scored more trys (i think)...
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