A RARE 'mercy rule' was invoked during the Lithgow Workmens Club Wolves versus Orange Hawks Group 10 premier league match at Lithgow after the visitors were trailing 40-0 at halftime.
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Hawks' captain Jared Broderick made the request to referee Jason Whitney with this side running out of players due to injuries and being on the wrong end of a big scoreline.
The visitors took the field with several first division players who had already played a full match due to the club suffering a unprecedented list of injuries, plus there were a few first graders who were unavailable to travel to Lithgow.
After conferring with the Wolves, referee Whitney blew his whistle signifying fulltime with the Wolves winning the match 40-0.
Wolves' coach Graeme Osborne although a little unhappy with the decision said: “I would have liked to have played the game to give the boys a good hit out, but I can also see Hawks' plight, they were clearly struggling.
“There is not much you can do about it.”
Osborne before the game showed good sportsmanship offering Hawks unlimited interchange to help them get through the game while his side would stay with the usual 10 interchanges.
It only took four minutes to see what was about to unfold when big Brendan West crashed through the Hawks' defence to post the first try.
From that point on it was a procession to the try line with other tries going to Wayde Egan (2), Corey Willmott, Brendon Van Veen and Ben Stewart and Jonathan Van Veen kicked six goals in the windy conditions.
Hawks suffered a couple of injuries during the first half, making their replacement bench look fairly vacant.
Those who turned up to represent the Hawks' club are to be congratulated as they never stopped trying.
Clearly out gunned by the size and power of the Wolves, the Hawks' player gave their best.
Best for the Wolves were Wayde Egan, Ernest Alo, Corey Willmott, Brendon Van Veen and Joel O'Brien in a side that rarely got out of second gear.
With Mudgee being defeated by Bathurst St Patricks, the Wolves move into sole second position on the competition ladder.
With the Hawks' game being called off at halftime and the chance to rattle up a huge score, the Wolves' club hope that it will not come back to bite them if 'for and against' comes into deciding positions on the ladder.
