IN light of the recent lockdown, Mid North Coast Rugby Union has decided to cancel its scheduled finals series.

Mid North Coast Rugby Union has decided to award minor premierships based on the completion of the 15 round season and the subsequent cancellation of the finals series.

The ladder leaders after 15 rounds were declared the minor premiers of the Upper Mid North Coast Rugby Union seasons.

The Coffs Harbour Snappers were declared the women’s 10s minor premiers, while the Snappers and Kempsey Cannonballs were joint minor premiers in the under 18s.

The Southern Cross University Marlins were awarded the under 14s minor premiership.

The Hastings Valley Vikings were the first grade and under 16s minor premiers, while the Kempsey Cannonballs were awarded the reserve grade minor premiership.

Manning River Ratz were the Lower Mid North Coast Rugby Union first grade minor premiers, while Wauchope Thunder were minor premiers in the women’s 10s.

Manning River Ratz (LMNC) Hastings Valley Vikings (UMNC) were the Club Champions of 2021.

The season’s trophies and individual awards are planned to be presented at the Annual General Meeting.

In a statement on social media, Mid North Coast Rugby outlined the reasoning for the cancellation of this year’s finals series.

“The safety and welfare of our players and the community are of the utmost importance.

“Some teams still involved in finals have not played since July, and the earliest possible return to play date would extend this out to 7 or even 8 weeks.

“There are also concerns about future restrictions on community based sport after lockdown.”

 

By Aiden BURGESS