FIRE STOPS PLAY

A number of bushfires in the Great Southern, including an emergency in Katanning, forced the cancellation of round 10 Great Southern Cricket Association games at the weekend. The fixture between Australs-Woodanilling and Wanderers had begun in Katanning but the fire burning close to the town became an immediate threat and the game was stopped. The game at Broomehill Recreational Complex between Broomehill and Kendenup was stopped in the second innings because of fires as well. With two of the three games cancelled, Sunday’s game involving Frankland River and Tambellup was also called off and all six teams received three points each. GSCA recorder Andrew Gibbons said the whole association co-operated well. “Wanderers v Australs-Woodanilling was called off when they saw the fire flare up,” he said. “The ground is at the north-west edge of Katanning which was in the direct path of the fire. “Broomehill v Kendenup was called off early in the second innings of the match when most of the Broomehill side left to fight the fire. “Special thanks to Kendenup for their support in that. “Our by-laws have a provision where if more than half the games in a round are abandoned then the whole round is cancelled so there was no need for Tamby and Frankland to play on Sunday. All points were split which means the ladder remains unchanged.” All three matches were recorded as a draw with teams sharing the points and the games will not to be rescheduled. With three rounds left in the season, the final few spots are up for grabs with only six points separating second to fifth.