Sports set to go on in spite of storm

Mid Western's Dan Taylor is pictured during his side's Bayleys Premier Southern Districts Premier competition match against Hikurangi. Rugby is said to be as per normal this weekend, even with a sub-tropical weather system descending on Northland. Photo / Ron Burgin

Despite the warning of a sub-tropical weather system descending on Northland tomorrow, sport seems to be all go.

The Bayleys Premier Southern Districts Premier competition is said to have no ground changes, nor any worries.

Northland Rugby Union operations manager Greg Shipton calmly commented that nothing was set to change, as of yesterday.

"Old Boys Marist [versus Hora Hora] and Kamo [versus Otamatea] games are the only ones that might be affected," he noted.

"But provided they play one game on each field, they should be alright."

Shipton encouraged supporters to get out there and support the clubs. He added that if there were cancellations, check the taniwha.co.nz website.

Meanwhile, Northland Cricket Association competitions manager Neal Parlane remained optimistic of getting some games in.

"Well, if the rain arrives then [games] will be [cancelled]. That's what they are predicting but they are not always right," he said.

"It is looking like it will be a wet one, so people are preparing for that, [but] we'll see.

"Most people are reasonably aware they will be ringing the cancellation line [tomorrow morning]."

He added that while three rounds remained, including this weekend, the finalists were pretty much decided - being a re-run of the Oxford Trust two-day final between Maungakaramea and Kaipara Flats.

Although if rain were to interfere with the March 30 final, then who finishes top of the table will play a huge role in deciding the winner - with the top-ranked team taking the title.

If Parlane's hopes come true, the reserve grade 40-over final will take place tomorrow at Cobham Oval, between Kamo High and Maungakaramea.

Over the Hatea River, the Whangarei Speedway was yet to decide on whether it would race the CTRA Championships tomorrow.

With racing set to start at 1pm, speedway fans will have plenty of time to call the track phone on 021 105 0464 to see if racing has been shifted to Sunday.

*Keep an eye on www.northernadvocate.co.nz for weather updates.