Eden Smith of Marist going for a try against Pioneer in a Tui Cup match last Saturday. This weekend’s games may be cancelled if the government extends the covid-19 lockdown. PHOTO/FILE
COVID-19
CHRIS COGDALE
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RUGBY
Today’s final round of the Moose Kapene Cup was to be deferred if the covid-19 Alert Level 2 restrictions are extended.
The Wairarapa-Bush Council of Clubs, which met on Wednesday night, agreed all Moose Kapene Cup games would be postponed for a week if the government extended the lockdown after yesterday.
The council was to meet tomorrow to approve the venues for the remainder of the season.
If there is a return to Level 1, only the Moose Kapene Cup games would go ahead as scheduled.
The Senior Reserve Ryan Cup final between East Coast and Greytown scheduled for Trust House Memorial Park last night, and the President’s Cup final between Marist and Gladstone have been postponed.
The Wai-Bush Union will consult with the clubs to determine the dates and venues for the finals.
Wai-Bush chief executive officer Tony Hargood said the safety of players, supporters, and families were at the centre of their decision.
“Under Level 2, there can only be a maximum of 100 people at any one game,” he said.
“The delegates agreed every opportunity should be given to ensure the best opportunity for the clubs to keep the supporters and the teams connected in the final a few weekends of rugby and to be explored if level two remains.”
All junior and college rugby has been postponed for the week.
NETBALL
Netball Wairarapa general manager Scott Cottier said a decision on whether senior netball at the Trust House Colombo Road Netball Centre goes ahead today was still up in the air.
He said there were two options. One was to postpone the day’s games, and the other was to revise the draw and have games staggered over the entire day with no spectators to minimise large gatherings.
FOOTBALL
Senior football, including Central League, W-League, Capital Leagues, and Wairarapa local leagues will go ahead as scheduled.
All youth league football for the Under-13 to Under-17 grades will also be played.
However, all junior football for Under-7 to Under 12 grades today has been cancelled.
HOCKEY
The Wairarapa competitions will proceed as scheduled over the weekend, although no spectators and strict contact tracing will be enforced. The cafe-bar and pavilion will be closed, should Level 2 remain in place after yesterday.
Last night’s half-field primary school hockey was cancelled, as well as today’s primary school games and tomorrow’s Under-11 development programmes.
