Mother nature has again intervened forcing grand finals in Maitland grade and junior cricket back a week after games were washed-out on the weekend.
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Teams in the one-day competition were desperately trying to get play underway in preliminary finals on Sunday, but at the time of printing the only result was a 46-run win to Tenambit Morpeth Bulls against Lakeside Village on D-grade.
The highest finishing team at the end of the regular season will progress to next weekend’s grand finals if preliminary finals were not able to played.
First and second grade grand finals had two extra days of play already scheduled for next weekend in the event of rain or grounds being to wet to play on.
Northern Suburbs and City United were to meet at Lorn Park and the second grade final between Kurri Weston and Northern Suburbs was to be played at Robins Oval.
The Maitland and District Cricket Association made the call to also reschedule third to fifth grade grand finals to next week. They will be scheduled for Saturday, but in the event of rain or wet grounds games can be rescheduled to the Sunday.
If no play is possible in any grade the premiership will go to the grand final team which finished higher on the ladder.
“Unfortunately, the forecast is for more rain during the week. It may prove hard for the grounds to dry out enough for play,” MDCA president Brian Hammonds said on Sunday.
“We ensured in our association by-laws that there was provision for a spare weekend for the finals, unfortunately that’s it though as our annual presentation dinner is on April 1.
“In the end the advantage goes to the higher finishing team in deciding the title if play isn’t possible.”
All Maitland and District Junior Cricket Associations grand finals were also called off on Saturday and rescheduled for next Saturday because grounds were to wet to play on and continued rain.
The under-16 grand final a two-day fixture between Raymond Terrace and Northern Suburbs Black began last Saturday and the final day of play has been rescheduled to next Saturday.
Unfortunately, the forecast is for more rain during the week.
- MDCA president Brian Hammonds
All Cessnock cricket finals were also washed out with the grade games rescheduled for next Saturday.
The junior finals were called off with the competing teams named as joint premiers.
The joint under-16 premiers were Mulbring and Greta-Branxton, under-14 premiers Paxton and Greta-Branxton and under-12 premiers Mulbring and Wine Country.
Rain also played havoc with football codes on the weekend.
All NPL fixtures were called off apart from the game between Broadmeadow Magic and Weston Bears which proceeded under lights at Magic Park.
Northern League One senior and junior fixtures were also washed out.
Saturday night’s trial match between Maitland Pickers and Cessnock Goannas at Cessnock Sportsground was also called off.