Plans for the final day’s play in the Walter Taylor Shield were disrupted when Armidale Regional Council’s sprinkler systems at three of the grounds were tampered with.
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The Sportsground, Lambert Park and Rologas were scheduled to host games on Friday but the sprinklers were turned on the evening prior, soaking the outfields.
The groundsmen ensured covers were on at the completion of Thursday’s play, saving Lambert Park and Rologas.
It wasn’t enough for the Sportsground, which was set to host the decider between Ballina and Lismore, as the night before’s soaking ensured the ground was unplayable.
Carnival conveners Mark McDermott and Andrew Page were left “ropeable” after inspection of the fields on Friday morning and made rapid changes to have matches moved.
They said it was an “embarrassment” to have washouts due to unwanted ground maintenance.
“The ground staff put in so much effort to get all the games on turf this week, the groundsmen have been fantastic,” Page said.
“[We have had] wickets covered every night, just in case, and we turned up this morning and the grounds have been watered overnight.
“If we hadn't covered those wickets last night, because it wasn't going to rain, we would have every game on synthetic today and it would be a disgrace for Armidale, it would be an embarrassment for all concerned.
“The only reason they weren't on at Harris is because they don't have control of the sprinkler system, if they did it would have been on there too.
“We are doing our job, if we didn't put the covers on and it rained it would be on us and we would cop it on the chin.”
McDermott said it was disappointing as the six visiting teams were wrapt with the week’s competition.
“Everyone this week has commented about how great the grounds are, how picturesque they are and then that happens,” he said.
Page added: “They are going to go back to their associations and say ‘remember in Armidale how they couldn't even get the timers right on the sprinklers?’
“That’s what is going to happen.”
A council spokesperson said someone broke into the system and tampered with the timing.
The council are looking into how it could have happened and, with a state carnival in the Kookaburra Cup scheduled for Armidale next week, they will be doing their best to make sure the glitch doesn’t repeat itself.
“The sprinklers weren't activated by council staff,” the spokesperson told The Armidale Express.
“It appears someone has gained access and tampered with the sprinkler system.
“We're looking into what might have happened and how it can be prevented in the future.
“The team are looking at how people might have got access.
“They are looking at what they can do so it doesn’t happen next week.”