Annual Eglinton-Northbridge tennis fixture is cancelled due to coronavirus

This year's edition, which was scheduled for March 28, has been cancelled due to coronavirus concerns - becoming another sporting victim of the virus' spread.

Eglinton were looking forward to the clash since they were on a mission to try and square things up against the Sydney club.

The clubs had been in correspondence over the past few weeks in monitoring the coronavirus situation and Northbridge eventually concluded they wouldn't be able to take part.

It's the latest in a string of sporting cancellations across the Central West.

Eglinton Tennis Club publicity officer John Bullock said it was disappointing to see the clash not go ahead, but it was understandable given the circumstances.

"Our president Jason Honeyman has been in contact with Clive Wilkinson from Northbridge. Clive contacted Jason on Monday to say it would be called off for the safety of the players," he said.

The competition has been running for six years, forged out of a relationship between the two clubs from former Eglinton member Roger Giles.

Giles, who now plays for Northbridge, helped to create the competition as a means of building a healthy and lasting relationship between the two clubs.

"We love the interaction between the country and city club. Roger had a word with his president there, and we discussed it here, and that's how it came about," Bullock said.

"Northbridge lead 3-2, with one draw, so Eglinton were keen to try and tie it up this year but unfortunately that wasn't to be.

However, despite the cancellation of the clash with Northbridge, the final round of the Eglinton Tennis Club's Saturday competition will still be going ahead this weekend.

The club has been vigilant in its hygiene and distancing measures during their matches in the lead up to this weekend's deciding tie.