OLD Bar Clams officials will decide today whether to postpone tomorrow’s Lower North Coast Rugby Union fixture against Harrington planned for the club’s new field at Ocean Blue Estate.
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This would have been Old Bar’s first match at the venue.
“We’ll leave the decision until as long as we can but obviously if it keeps raining it will be in doubt,’’ Old Bar president Tim Brown said.
Mr Brown said the field is in ‘perfect condition’ but the club won’t risk damaging the playing surface at this early stage of the year.
“We’re getting used to this now. I’ve been here for five years and every winter has been wet,’’ he said.
Mr Brown was unsure whether the game will be transferred to Harrington or postponed if the Ocean Blue ground is ruled out.
If no play is possible at Old Bar, the club’s first game at home will be on May 5 against traditional rivals, the Manning River Ratz. The clubs will be playing for the Charlie Crook Shield.
Mr Brown is confident the Clams will have the player roster to mount a strong defence of the premiership.
“We’ve lost 10 players from last year’s grand final squad so that leaves a bit of a hole,’’ he said.
“But we have a few players starting to come back and we’ll still have a strong squad.’’
Meanwhile Manning Ratz will be without hooker Jon Annand for the clash with Gloucester at Gloucester. Annand suffered a bruised sternam against Forster and will miss at least one match.
The Ratz will also be without the experience trio Ben Northam, Brad McCarron and Glen Mathiske.
Coach Graham Sonter said Darryl Johnson will move from prop to hooker to cover for Annand.
“He filled in capably last week when Jon was injured,’’ Sonter said.
