The under-13 NSW Junior Rugby Union State Championships will be run in Port Stephens this weekend as planned, despite all sports fields being closed.
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Port Stephens Council closed all sporting field across the local government area following an inspection on Wednesday, saying the week’s worth of rain had made them unsafe to use.
On Thursday, however, the council announced that the rugby state championship would go ahead, moving from Salamander Bay Sports Complex to Tomaree Sports Complex and Fingal Oval.
“Council's parks team has been closely monitoring [Tomaree No. 1 match field] and Fingal Oval and carrying out safety checks,” the council said.
“Thankfully, while we have had to close our other fields, these two facilities can remain open due to the quality of the drainage systems and field surfaces.”
Monitoring will continue and a final call about the readiness of the two field will be made on Friday afternoon.
The championship will be held between June 9 and 11.
Nelson Bay Rugby Club will host the under-13 players on the weekend.
Nelson Bay Gropers recorded a win in the drama-charged eighth round of the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union last Saturday.
At a rain-soaked Strong Oval, Nelson Bay won a torrid contest with Maitland 24-19. The Gropers led 6-5 at half-time and scored three second-half tries to secure the win.
The Bay’s seconds and colts teams also won their contests with Maitland. Medowie, in third grade, was defeated by Maitland 14-7.
The Gropers and Medowie have the bye this weekend.
Port Stephens teams playing in the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby League posted mixed results at wet and muddy fields last weekend.
In A-grade, Raymond Terrace defeated Kotara 21-18 but Fingal Bay were defeated 22-12 by Shortland. Mallabula defeated Dudley 26-4 in B-grade.
Paterson downed Karuah Roos 30-24 while, also in C-grade, Hinton stormed to a 62-6 victory against Raymond Terrace.
In ladies tag, University defeated Fingal Bay 22-0, Mallabula defeated Stroud 22-16 and Awabakal defeated Raymond Terrace in a close competition, 18-16.
Hunter River High School’s under-14 and under-19 girls futsal teams have booked their ticket to the championships after strong performances at regionals.
The two teams took part in the Regional Futsal Championships at Maitland Basketball Stadium on Tuesday. Both teams finished first in their groups and then won their respective semi-finals but lost their grand-finals.
The girls, however, booked their ticket to the championships to be held at Broadmeadow later this year. The school sent two boys team to the Upper Hunter Region Futsal competition on Monday.
Nelson Bay Marlins women’s team remain undefeated two months into the 2018 Black Diamond AFL season, and launched themselves back into control at the top of the table with a 47-point win against third placed Gosford, 6.13 (49) to 0.2 (2), on Saturday.
Gosford hung on to defeat Nelson Bay’s premier men’s team by eight points in a thrilling finish in atrocious weather conditions at Dick Burwell Oval. Final scores were Gosford 9.9 (63) to Nelson Bay 8.7 (55).
Port Stephens Power put in a big effort against Newcastle City Novas but could not match the firepower of the star-studded outfit over four quarters. Final scores were the Novas 26.19 (175) to Power’s 0.0 (0).
The Nelson Bay Marlins men will face Wyong Lakes at Don Small Oval on Saturday at 2pm. The women and reserves have a bye.
