Bective's grand final clash against Souths aborted because of rain; Bulls named premiers

On Saturday morning, it was still hoped the match would go ahead - but a downpour put paid to that.

Bective East, the minor premiers, were declared premiers after being the first team into the finale following their major semi-final defeat of North Tamworth.

Their previous premiership triumph was way back in 2003-04.

Bulls captain Jye Paterson described winning the title as "a huge achievement".

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"You do all the hard work during the season [in case] this stuff happens," he said of the finale being aborted.

He added: "That bit of rain we got this morning - it was just a bit too wet, and probably more the outfield more than anything."

"It will be a good Saturday and Sunday celebrating," he also said.

Earlier in the day, Souths captain Tom Groth had been hopeful the match would go ahead.

"We just need the rain to go away, as simple as that," he had said.

Groth was speaking at Riverside 2, where the finale was shifted, as the aforementioned downpour began.

The veteran keeper believed that the wicket was dry enough to play on.

"There's two things we can't control - and that's the weather and umpires," he said.

"So, it is what it is and hope for the best - fingers crossed."

Groth praised Souths' effort to protect the wicket despite steady rain since Thursday.

"It's been a really good effort from the club, all three grades have been down there helping," he said.

"So, we've done as much as we can - it's up to the weather gods now."

Souths' second and third-grade sides also made the grand final.

More to come ...

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