The 36-32 win pushes the Hawks two points clear at the top with what should be two winnable games to come.

It was the only game played yesterday and ended a bizarre round that saw Saturday’s clash between Glen Innes and Warialda called off 15 minutes into the second half with Glen leading 32-16.

Seconds earlier Warialda half back Will Fernando was penalised for a tackle on young Glen centre Chris Pedlow. 

Fernando was charged with a high tackle and dismissed from the field. 

Upon resumption of play, just one tackle was made when referee Peter Watts made his decision to call an end to play with 25 minutes remaining. 

The decision surprised everyone, including the two coaches. 

Warialda coach Joss Cleal said he was surprised by the decision to send off Fernando.

“The tackle was high and lazy but I don’t think it was worth a sending off,” he said after the match.

“We only made one more tackle and he (Watts) called the game off. I’m gobsmacked. It’s not like there was a fight. The game probably had less heat than a normal match.”

“We’ve had some players travel three hours to get here to play and they lose 30 minutes of footy!”

Magpies coach Nick Ehsman also admitted to surprise at the way the game finished. 

“I was perplexed at some of the decisions during the game, against both teams, and especially the early finish,” he said.

Referee Watts was asked for an explanation of his decision but declined to comment, saying that any comments would have to come ‘through the Group’. 

The official match sheet included the words “unruly behaviour” in the section for referee’s comments.

Ashford turned up for what looks almost certainly a semi-final match, with a smart 60-28 win over Armidale.

The two teams were equal in fourth place heading in, but the Roosters have a much better for and against record and meet Guyra next week.

Andrew Blair had a personal tally of 22 points for Ashford from a try and 10 goals in converting every try scored by the Roosters. 

Club president Mick Lewis said Blair was outstanding. “He had a big day out. Our props Kyle Hartley and Buster Chard both had great games, while second rower Tom Lewis was very good with a try and he played strongly all day,” Lewis said.

Guyra forfeited to Moree Boars in the other match which was set down for Moree.

Yesterday was a stop-start affair sprinkled with some ferocious forward encounters and some pretty good attack when the opportunities came.

Guy Mepham was great at hooker for the home side.

He controlled the play well, scored a try and kicked a handful of goals.

Alex McCosker also crossed for a couple of tries and was good in the second row while five-eighth Ricki Roberts was the Boomies best.