Cancellations hit club sports codes
Not even snow in Kimbolton will stop most club rugby matches going ahead, but Manawatu club league, football and netball have been cancelled.
While snow is clearing, Kimbolton locals and Feilding Old Boys-oroua club members have been called upon to shovel snow from the field to ensure the club’s Val Holland semifinal against Linton Army can go ahead.
Manawatu Rugby Union community rugby manager Ben Koch said they had found fields for all of their matches except for the presidents grade and Manawatu Cyclones trial match.
Most schools and junior rugby were already on breaks due to the school holidays.
Among the fields closed are Panieri Park, the Arena back fields, Johnston Park, Halcombe and Bush Sports Park.
Koch said with the closures, local councils had helped them find homes for games since they were entering the knockout stages.
‘‘It is one of those ones where the councils have closed some of the grounds, but given the importance of some of our games, they have assessed some of the fields that can take games.’’
That means a couple of this week’s games will be played at neutral venues.
The senior A Hankins Shield semifinals are as planned with Varsity playing Kia Toa on Massey field 8 and College Old Boys hosting Old Boys-marist at CET Arena.
The Val Holland Trophy semifinals will be at Rongotea and Kimbolton featuring Te Kawau v Feilding and Fob-oroua v Linton respectively.
But is was not as positive news for netballers today.
Netball Manawatu announced on its Facebook page that it had to cancel its matches due to flooding at Vautier Park.
‘‘Netball Manawatu regrets to inform that club netball . . . has been cancelled due to flooding and no other appropriate venue availability. We look to make up this weekend’s games next weekend with a possibility of a double header – weather permitting.’’
It was the same fate for club league which has had its final round robin matches cancelled.
League will resume with the semifinals next weekend.
Central Football Manawatu confirmed on Thursday that all their matches scheduled for today and tomorrow would not go ahead due to ground closures.