Now, 223 days later, they can’t field a team.

The signs that Lithgow were in trouble appeared prior to their season opener against St Pat’s on April 10, when it was announced they could not field a first division team in 2016.

But even with just one senior team to field following their decision to withdraw from first division, the Wolves struggled in premier league. 

They lost 42-12 to Pat’s then last Sunday went down 28-0 to Oberon.

On Thursday night things got even worse for Lithgow as they officially forfeited Sunday’s much-anticipated grand final rematch against CYMS at Wade Park.

They claimed a plethora of injuries compounded their already apparent player shortage. 

So much so, the club claimed they would be unable to put even 13 players on the paddock.

While Lithgow have the bye in round four and are drawn to play on their home turf against Cowra on May 8, the situation means action will be taken before then.

Peter McDonald and his Group 10 committee will hold a crisis meeting with their Workies’ counterparts next week to gauge the likelihood of Lithgow fielding a top grade side for the remainder of the year and establish an action plan to try to ensure they do.

“At this stage it looks like that meeting will be Wednesday next week,” McDonald said.

“Lithgow contacted Group 10 on Thursday night to inform us they had 12 players for Sunday’s game. They had contacted some players from Portland to fill in and we were willing to clear those players immediately to help them field a side.

“Lithgow called back an hour later to say it wasn’t happening and they would be forfeiting.”

At this stage, Lithgow have only pulled out of Sunday’s round three clash rather than the rest of the season, as rumoured. 

However, McDonald confirmed there was a real chance Lithgow would not be seen again in 2016.

“There is the possibility they will go down that path if they’re not willing to do some hard work to get their club back up and kicking again,” McDonald said.

If Lithgow do withdraw, it could extend Bathurst Panthers’ wait for their first home game of the season. 

Due to the NRL match on April 30 between Penrith and Canberra, they have not been using Carrington Park.

Panthers are scheduled to play there on May 15 against Lithgow, but if there is no Wolves side to face, the men in black might have to wait until June 5 to grace Carrington Park.

McDonald confirmed Group 10 and Country Rugby League would do whatever was necessary to assist Workies in building to the point where they would play week-in-week-out, the ideal result for the competition.