The ban, which starts on 10 April, was imposed under Rule 141 (vii) for failing to acquaint himself with the course.. BY PAUL STEPHENS As global rugby prepares to count the megabucks on offer at next month's World Cup in South Africa, and the International Rugby Football Board remains in torment with the problems of quasi-professionalism, the English game can rejoice at a competition which encapsulates its core values. The Pilkington Shield, for the most junior 512 clubs in the Courage Leagues, continues to defy the seemingly inexorable shift towards payment for playing. Amid all the chatter about money there is an ennobling silence from those who only play for fun, for honour; and for the opportunity to run out on Twickenham's venerated turf on 6 May.Watching St Albans defeat North Shields 21-8 in a sparkling semi-final at Claro Road, Harrogate, it made the heart glad to be reminded of the way rugby used to conduct itself.After accounting for the favourites Wibsey - with the former England captain John Orwin in the Yorkshire club's giant pack - the Tynesiders were not to be taken lightly. On a grassless pitch North Shields had decided on a scorched-earth policy, with the fireman Shaun Hansen their torch bearer, as they rocked St Albans in a furious opening quarter.The No 8 and captain had scored in every round, but St Albans had prepared themselves well for Hansen, though they were powerless to prevent Gary Crombie's penalty goal or a splendid try from the winger Ian Tubman. However, it was not enough, and the sides turned round at 8-3, St Albans' points coming from an Adrian King penalty.It was a memorable day for the St Albans' coach, Bryan Green, once of Otago and more recently Leeds, who saw the centres Doug Morete and Graham Cox score a try each, King a second penalty, plus an injury-time touchdown for the wing James Dickinson."Bryan has brought structure, commitment and discipline to our game," King said.

"And his thoroughness has got us to Twickenham."On the big day St Albans will face Bedford Queens, who almost squandered a 21-0 lead against Kingsbridge in the other semi-final at Bristol's Memorial Ground Kevin McMillim and Tim Clarke had scored tries. Andy Moffatt converted the first and kicked two penalty goals and David Twigden dropped a goal before the Devonians responded.Three penalties from Chris Bowles, who also converted the full-back Alan Davies's try, brought it 21-16, when there was nothing else but a heroic fightback for the 10 coachloads of Kingsbridge supporters to cheer.. Scotland's World Cup hopes have suffered a severe setback with the news that the centre Gregor Townsend could be out of the game for up to a year. The Gala player damaged his knee playing against Hawick last weekend but the full extent of the damage was not discovered until Saturday, when Townsend was examined by the Scottish Rugby Union doctors. "Gregor has damaged the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and could be out of the game for up to a year," the Scotland manager, Duncan Paterson, said.Townsend will undergo a further examination in Edinburgh today to determine whether surgery is necessary.

If it is not, then Townsend could be back for the start of next season but surgery would mean an absence of a year.Paterson said he was optimistic about the chances of the Bath duo, Andy Nicol and Andy Reed, being fit for the World Cup. Both have been out of action for most of the season but Nicol has already played two games for Bath reserves. The Bristol prop Alan Sharp is still suffering from a back problem and has only a even chance of going to South Africa.. BY DALE AUSTEN The former England captain, Nigel Melville, has called for a change in the laws after his first full appearance for two seasons ended in farce on Saturday. Melville, 34, who resigned his post as Otley's paid director of rugby two weeks ago in order to resume his playing career witnessed the spectacle of Third Division arch rivals, Harrogate and Otley, being banned from scrummaging because of the new directive issued at last month's International Board meeting.The referee, Tom Ashworth, ordered non-contested scrums -where shoving is outlawed and the side putting in the ball is guaranteed possession -after the Harrogate prop, David Hall, went off at half-time with a suspected broken thumb. Harrogate had no specialist prop on the bench - Jason Field having cried off with tonsillitis - so they brought on the second row Peter Taylor.Melville, who masterminded Otley's 33-14 home win, said: "It was crazy - that ruling makes a mockery of the game. In New Zealand referees ask captains before games if they have a front-row replacement and if they say no there is no game. We should do the same."The Harrogate coach, Peter Clegg, agreed: "It does make for a farce I think it is a ridiculous law and teams will flout it.