The match was originally set down for last Saturday but moved to the Sunday when North Coast qualified for the Country championship final played in Tamworth last Saturday. Then the group switched the clash from Sunday to Saturday because of a shortage of referees for the Sunday fixtures. Neither Forster or Taree City had players involved in the representative fixture.

However, the Hawks said they wouldn't have players available to play Saturday. Taree said the same about Sunday so it was moved to July 5 which is part of Group Three's split round.

Taree City president Mal Dixon explained this week that the Bulls will have trouble fielding teams on that day as when the draw was originally released the Bulls had a free weekend.

"We have players going away or who have made other commitments,'' Mr Dixon said earlier this week.

Taree's committee was due to meet the coaching staff this week to see how many players they will have available before approaching the group.

Group Three secretary Barrie Smith said there are no more free days left in the season and admits the situation could have been better handled by all parties.

"We should have just played on the Sunday. We would have had referees backing up, but that's happened in the past,'' he said.

Mr Dixon said one possibility would be to play the four grades over two Wednesdays nights at either Wingham or Tuncurry, as there's no lights at the Jack Neal Oval.

"But we'll see our coaches first and see how many players we can muster,'' he added.