Squads baffled over no games

Many of Wanganui's high-profile sports teams were left scratching their heads that after the city avoided some of the worst of the weekend weather there were still no games to be had.

In soccer, the undefeated Wanganui Athletic Women were to face fellow unbeaten team North End AFC Women's 1sts in the anticipated Manawatu Women's League match at an acceptable Wembley Park yesterday.

However, Wanganui Athletic coach Dave Downes got the call on Saturday that the game was postponed.

"The same reason Central Football canned the Palmerston league games, because the grounds are under water."

The feeling was that having only two Manawatu League teams play at the weekend would put them ahead in a re-jigged draw, which Downes thought was counterproductive since both sides have to play in other competitions.

"I questioned it, of course, because next week we've got a Federation Cup game and then we're a game down anyway," he said.

"We've also got the Palmerston North knockout competition as well.

"Strange, annoying, but that's the way it is."

As the opening round among the 14 women's teams is to find out the placings when they split into three different divisions, Downes said the North End game may not be necessary anyway, given the Top 4 teams are well set.

However, Wanganui Athletic had wanted to play the match to finish the round clearly on top of the competition.

In schoolboy rugby, Wanganui Collegiate First XV had their away Central North Island game to Feilding High School postponed because of the wet ground.

Coach Guy Lennox said after the match was called off on Friday they tried to convince officials to move the Saturday fixture to Wanganui.

"The weather wasn't that bad," he said. "I've seen worse."

Currently in the early stages of run that involves six games in 18 days, Lennox said the match will have to be made up at another time.

"We're keen as to play the game."

Wanganui High School First XV's home game against Te Kawau in the Manawatu Under 21 competition was also postponed.