Group 10 has back-flipped on its hard-nosed ultimatum forcing clubs to play make-up games this week, agreeing to allow those fixtures with finals relevance to be played after round 18.
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After a board of directors meeting on Tuesday, clubs were told to play make-up games before this weekend's final round of the regular season or no points would be awarded.
The board said the decision was a tough one but giving Mudgee and CYMS essentially two days to organise a game - the Dragons' final round clash against Lithgow is a Saturday - quashed any hope of a result from that clash and effectively ended CYMS' season.
Dom Maley's side needs to win its final two games, including the Mudgee clash and Sunday's derby with Hawks, to squeeze into the top five.
This is the fairest outcome - we can now put it behind us and focus on the massive weekend ahead.
- Mudgee boss Sebastian Flack
Mudgee, too, require points out of the CYMS game to shore up third spot on the ladder. A non-result and a loss to Lithgow in the final round would mean the Dragons finish fourth.
Country Rugby League stepped in when contacted by clubs and said games between CYMS and Mudgee will remain pending until after this weekend's final round.
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A Sunday night phone hook-up with clubs officials and Group 10 will then determine which games need to be played in order to confirm finals places.
The other washed out games, those between Blayney and Oberon, won't be played but each grade will share the points.
Mudgee Dragons president Sebastian Flack said common sense prevails.
"This is the fairest outcome - we can now put it behind us and focus on the massive weekend ahead," he said.