January 18, 2010

As per conditions of play, men’s 5th Division and below were cancelled reliant on the official Perth forecast of 38* as at 11.00am. The Saturday ladies lost their third fixture out of nine schedules games.

Are these decisions warranted considering the temperature reached a high of 35.7 recorded at 4.22pm when this forecast is based soley on the Perth office?

More specific forecasts for other metropolitan areas last Saturday are interesting. Mundaring and Safety Bay were expecting a max of 35* and Swanbourne was tipped to reach 33* whilst the Perth Airport had an anticipated 36*. A further note was when the temperature was 35* at 3.00pm, added information stated ‘feels like 33*’.

It is a given that playing on carpet was a darn sight warmer. Other aspects were the effect on teams who had a scheduled bye didn’t miss a fixture and what about those who had previously advised they would forfeit?

On wet Saturdays some teams play and perhaps if a forecast of 38* or more is made, if there is mutual agreement between teams some could play whilst others accept a draw.
Not ideal, but the opportunity is there for a roll and a drink.

I did observe some oldies in the RSL playing double headers on consecutive days over 40* a few years back.

THE OBSERVER
George Adams