| Beddau won the WRU National League Division 1 East title last season, while Bonymaen won the Division 1 West. But while they triumphed on the field, both clubs failed to meet the off-the-field criteria standards which clubs must achieve to be granted promotion into the top flight.
Those criteria standards were set early in 2005 as part of a strategic plan to improve player development, ground facilities and the administration and management of elite rugby teams in Wales.
Needing a 75% majority of the voting members at the meeting to succeed, the two clubs saw 106 votes (33%) back their motion. There were 216 votes (67%) against.
The Special Motion, backed by 33 clubs before the meeting, was:
"That the League Rules as issued on 19th July 2006 for the Season 2006–2007 be upheld. That Beddau RFC and Bonymaen RFC, the Champion Clubs of Division 1 East and 1 West, be promoted to the Premiership under the League Rules issued on 19th July 2006, which state that Beddau RFC and Bonymaen RFC be given until 30th June 2007 to show substantial progress to achieving the required Premiership Entry Criteria and any extra time needed to complete all works before the 2007–2008 season starts.
Steve Lewis's revised League Rules brought out on 29th September 2006, after the season started, be set aside.
No additional rule changes to be introduced by the WRU to prevent these promotions."
The meeting was chaired by WRU President, Glanmor Griffiths. John Hague (chairman, Bonymaen) and Lyn West (chairman, Beddau) spoke for the motion and Roger Lewis (WRU Group Chief Executive) and David Pickering (WRU Chairman) spoke against.
From the floor there was support for the motion from Trebanos RFC and Ystrad Rhondda RFC, while Bridgend RFC spoke against. WRU National Representative Gerald Davies spoke against the motion, while the Bonymaen treasurer and Beddau secretary, Barrie Small, both spoke for it.
The debate was then wrapped-up by Roger Lewis and John Hague.
Speaking after the meeting the WRU Group Chief Executive, Roger Lewis, said: "We fully recognised the emotional arguments for Beddau and Bonymaen because they have achieved so much on the field of play, but the rules of governance have to be obeyed.
"Beddau and Bonymaen are important clubs with proud histories and we applaud and honour them for that. The consequences of bending to the emotion of their arguments would not have been acceptable and, furthermore, would have damaged our image as a rugby nation.
"The WRU is charged with governing the game in the best interests of all its stakeholders and in a way which reflects our responsibilities, our integrity and our professionalism.”
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