Armidale's COVID crisis has resulted in the suspension of major sporting competitions in the region.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Group 19, the New England Rugby Union and AFL North West have suspended matches.
In a Facebook post on Friday, the Central North Rugby Union said it had postponed Saturday's first-grade clash between Barraba and Scone in Barraba due to the Hunter lockdowns.
It said all other games would go ahead.
However, the Leader learned on Saturday morning that Saturday's first-grade clash between Quirindi and Walcha in Quirindi had also been postponed.
Despite the long-dreaded setback, there was plenty of sporting action on Saturday.
SOCCER
Premier Division
Round 16
Beneath a cloudless sky at Riverside 4 on Saturday afternoon, Nick Bowden enjoyed one of the most memorable games of his lifelong soccer adventure.
Elsewhere on Saturday, North Companions beat Tamworth FC 1-0 and Gunnedah thumped Kootingal 6-0.
RUGBY UNION
Central North
Round 18
First grade
With one round remaining before the finals, Gunnedah have a five-point lead over second-placed Narrabri after edging the Blue Boars 24-22 at home.
Second grade
Narrabri 15 d Gunnedah 8
RUGBY LEAGUE
Group 4
Round 13
Saturday
DUNGOWAN v NARRABRI
Scully Park, Tamworth
First grade: NARRABRI 56 (Caleb Binge 2, Damon Gleeson, Lachlan Trindall, Sam Sadler, Hayden Bell, Toby Bentley, Dennis Gordon, Brendan Davey, Mark Patterson tries, Todd Nichols 8gls) d DUNGOWAN 26 (Kieren Croft, Jone Marau, Brodie Heron, Cody Byrne, Matt Wilson tries, Trent Taylor 3gls)
Reserve grade: Narrabri forfeited.
Under 18: DUNGOWAN 40 (Mitch Henderson 5, Archie Wainwright, Liam Wolfe tries, Henderson 6gls) d NARRABRI 16 (Clifford Toomey, Jeff Harvey, Johno Evans tries, Johno Evans 2gls)
League tag: DUNGOWAN 100 (Jada Taylor 4, Georgia Horniman 4, Chloe Shanley 3, Jamie Blackler 2, Liz Thomas, Emma Carrigan, Taylor Holcombe, Paris Knox tries, Sarah Stackman 8, Emma Carrigan 7, Jamie Blackler gls) d NARRABRI BLUEBIRDS 0.
MOREE v GUNNEDAH
Boughton Oval, Moree
First grade: MOREE 32 (Silas Haines, Adrian Smith, Michael Watton, Stan Swan, Brenton Cochrane, Jarvis Watton tries, Adrian Smith 2, Stan Swan 2gls) drew with GUNNEDAH 32 (Thomas Randall 2, Dylan O'Brien, Nic Altman, Dylan Lake, Lincon Smith tries, O'Brien 4gls).
Reserve grade: MOREE 30 (Jason Humphries 2, Dylan Green, Conor Ryan, Tyler Daley, Jackson Shearer tries, Adrian Smith 3gls) d GUNNEDAH 28 (Jack Reeves, Jarred Heinrich, Lachlan King, Jonathon Crowe, Farran Lamb tries Crowe 4gls).
League tag: GUNNEDAH 18 (Charlotte Eather 3 tries, Piper Rankmore 2, Zoe Fleming gls) d MOREE 4 (Leah Carr try).
BARRABA v WERRIS CREEK
Barraba Sportsground
Reserve grade: BARRABA 58 (Ryan Hall 2, Jesse Rogers, Luke Smith, Mick Rutherford, Joe Latham, Brad Craddock, Noah Theofanou, Zac Mallise, Tom Mellor tries, Craddock 9gls) d WERRIS CREEK 0.
League tag: WERRIS CREEK 20 (Jess Baker 2, Anna Smith, Jesse Pryor tries, Baker 2gls) d BARRABA 8 (Ashleigh Lowe, Jessie Lott tries).