Hornet Exclusive: Have Easts got major support?

The green hornet has been busy on the weekend. Being privy to many social circles I have learnt that former NHRU club Eastern Districts will have a major advantage in regaining entry into the competition next year. The club, who were ingloriously rubbed out of the competition is hoping to find the support of a big player in the local sporting scene.

According to extremely good sources on both sides of this union, Easts will be merging with phoenix sports to create a super club. Rugby Union is the only piece missing in the jigsaw for the West Leagues Group. Sources close to Eastern Districts say they are unperturbed by the fact that they will be owned and managed by Wests and will not change their name to the East West district phoenix's. The phoenix, coincidentally will remain the emblem of the team.

The club who is owned by Wests Leagues, an organisation who have been buying premierships since the 50's will be transparent in the fact they will be paying players to compete in the competition. An unnamed source is quoted as saying "We know many clubs in the NHRU have participated in under the table payments for quite a few years, clubs like Waratah, Wanderers, Hamilton and even the club we are looking to merge with Easts. However, Rugby is professional now and we want to make a commitment to make the game elite in the area."

If the merger eventuates, Easts may be forced to play against themselves in a midweek sevens competition because there is still no guarantee that they will regain entry into the NHRU competition. A club official has said, "If that is the case we will be running a Wednesday night seven a side competition. all clubs except Wanderers will be invited to enter a team. There will be a strict criteria which is impossible for all to meet. Unlike the board we will see fit to make some leniency to these stipulations. We believe everyone needs a fair go. Even if they have proven to be grubs in the past."

The Easts board are also quite impressed with the facilities at the phoenix sports club and will no doubt be impressed by the fact that they will be bringing back the all you can eat buffet. A move which will surely lure back Trent Considine form the Greens and Des Tufi from Lake Macquarie. All eyes will now be waiting to see if this merger does eventuate and Easts get back into the competition.