Saturday’s opening day of play between Bathurst City and City Colts failed to go ahead after heavy rain late in the week left the Sportsground outfield in an unsafe condition for play.

While the wicket was still in a usable condition the large patches of water in the outfield meant not a single ball was going to be bowled.

The lost day’s play means the match will be played as a one day game next Saturday but with two day first innings points.

That puts plenty on the line in just under a week’s time. One team will walk away with eight points while the other gets zero.

Redbacks have been hit by the rain more than any other club this season, having three of their games affected in some capacity by wet weather. 

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Bathurst City captain Joey Coughlan said it was disappointing to see another Sportsground contest fall victim to a downpour.

“We just got the covers on but then the hail came in and absolutely wrecked it. Then the outfield was just too wet. There was puddles everywhere,” he said.

“The wicket was a little soft but it would have dried out in the 30 degree heat and be playable by 1.30pm. 

“The Sportsground should be the pinnacle ground in Bathurst but we’re not even playing district games there at the moment but hopefully it all comes good.”

Colts captain Matt Stephen echoed those sentiments.

“It’s highly unfortunate that we couldn’t play. It will disadvantage one team greatly in that one will walk away with eight points and the other gets a duck egg,” he said.

“The other game was lucky enough to get on. St Pat’s have done a lot of work on that wicket to get everything right and they’ve got great drainage there.

“That gives them and Rugby the chance to get some extra points which could be valuable at the end of the year.”

The delay could leave its mark on the ladder. Redbacks entered Saturday with 19 points, two clear of Colts, while third placed Rugby were on 13.