Like most people in the region, Tooheys Newcastle Rugby League (Real NRL) chief executive officer Charlie Haggett was caught off-guard by today’s snap week-long lockdown.
But, he’s hopeful the latest COVID-19 setback won’t derail the 2021 competition, which is due to kick off its play-off series soon.
In fact, the Real NRL was set to take the field for the final “home and away” round this weekend.
However, the NSW Government’s decision on Thursday 5 August to add the Hunter to the Greater Sydney restrictions has thrown a slight spanner in the works.
“It’s totally bad timing,” Haggett said.
“But, it isn’t all doom and gloom.
“At this stage, the Denton Engineering Cup matches will be postponed to 14-15 August, pushing back the semi-final series by one week.
“This will again be reassessed pending any further updates from the NSW Government.
“Hopefully, we see no increase in COVID numbers in the Newcastle-Hunter area and the restrictions get lifted.
“In some ways, we’re fortunate we can move the grand final date until 12 September if we need to.”
Round 18 was expected to present some cracking showdowns with minor premiers Maitland Pickers facing the in-form Western Suburbs Rosellas, top five combatants Central Newcastle Butcher Boys and Macquarie Scorpions locking horns, the Kurri Kurri Bulldogs lining up against the Cessnock Goannas, and Lakes United Seagulls meeting last-start winners South Newcastle Lions.
Tooheys Newcastle Rugby League
NSWRL Denton Cup
Round 17 results:
South Newcastle Lions 22 (Lewis Hamilton 2, Mitchell Black, Jack Welsh tries; Harry Van Dartel 3 goals) defeated Kurri Kurri Bulldogs 16 (Ethan Niszczot, Kade Hardy, Tyler Randell tries; Niszczot 2 goals)
Macquarie Scorpions 16 (Royce Geoffrey, Ro Buaserau tries; Kerrod Holland 4 goals) drew with Maitland Pickers 16 (James Bradley, Matt Soper-Lawler, Chad O’Donnell tries; Brock Lamb 2 goals)
Lakes United Seagulls 34 (Nicholas O’Meley, Nash Birch, Nicholas Glohe, Ronald Hull, Callan Guest, Ryan Potts tries; Joel Edwards 4, Jarrod Kirk goals) defeated Central Newcastle Butcher Boys 6 (Dom Murphy try; Bradley Murray goal)
The Entrance Tigers v Cessnock Goannas – COVID draw
Western Suburbs Rosellas v Wyong Roos – COVID draw
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