Fires, dry weather force team’s withdrawal

The Lower Great Southern Hockey Association has been forced to withdraw its team from this weekend’s CBH Group Men’s Country Championships after the events of the past week.

Out-of-control bushfires in the region and a very dry start to the seeding season for many farmers have left a number of regular senior players unable to attend the annual three-day championships, which begin on Saturday.

Already struggling with player interest before last week’s fires, team organisers have decided to pull the team completely rather than try to fill the void with players from the region who now live in Perth.

It will be the first time in several years the LGSHA does not have representation at the men’s country championships.

Its withdrawal leaves Bunbury, Busselton, Eastern Goldfields, Upper Great Southern and Geraldton to compete in division 1 at the tournament.

A general bye for the men’s A-grade competition that was originally scheduled will still remain in place.

The women’s A-grade competition will play round 10 tonight and also have the weekend off.

Spencer Park will face Tigers at 6.30pm tonight in Albany, while the other game has Mt Barker at home to Manypeaks, also at 6.30pm.