GARNDIFFAITH have become the latest Gwent rugby club to be forced out of the Welsh League because of the payment-to-players crisis.

Oakdale were the first to go from Division Two followed by Blaenau Gwent from Division Seven East.

Now Third Division East Garndiffaith have become victims of the same problem and have cancelled their league programme for the rest of the season.

They will continue to play friendlies and the rest of the club will continue, but they will have to start next season in the league at Division Seven level.

A club statement reads: "Due to ongoing problems with player recruitment at Division Three level, Garndiffaith, in line with Welsh Rugby Union guidance, have decided to withdraw from competitive rugby at Division Three level for the rest of the season.

"Garndiffaith RFC is financially sound and the decision has been made totally on reasons given. We will carry on with non-competitive rugby until the end of the season."

Garndiffaith secretary Francis Randell added significantly: "We are not prepared to go down the path of paying stupid money and we are not prepared to put the club through.

Some clubs are putting themselves in debt and the situation is a lot worse than some people are making out.

"We have got to go back to grass roots where players are prepared to play for the shirt.

"The sooner we go back to the Monmouthshire League the better. We are asking people to give up a day's work to go to places like Cardigan."

Garndiffaith were lying at the foot of Division Three East pointless from their 10 games, several games behind the rest. Only five years ago they reached the quarter-finals of the Welsh Cup after beating Bridgend.