Weekly Advertiser | A rare forfeit was the talking point of the Horsham District Football Netball League A Grade netball competition at the weekend, with Laharum earning a walkover win against Rupanyup.

The result meant only three games were played on Saturday, with Kalkee defeating Pimpinio 48-45, Noradjuha-Quantong beating Natimuk United 58-43 and Harrow-Balmoral downing Swifts 51-28, while Edenhope-Apsley, Kaniva-Leeor United and Taylors Lake had byes.

Laharum will be awarded a 40-0 win as a result of the forfeit.

Public speculation arose that allowing an A Grade forfeit while games in lower grades proceeded contravened the league’s by-laws, but The Weekly Advertiser understands that a requirement to fill teams from the highest grade first applies only when entering teams at the start of each season.

According to the league’s by-laws, clubs must notify the league’s operations manager and opposing netball director in writing by noon the day before a game, along with a penalty of $200 for a first forfeit, $300 for a second forfeit and $400 for a third forfeit.

The result was Rupanyup’s first forfeit of the A Grade season, and The Weekly Advertiser understands the club notified the league and Laharum in accordance with the by-laws.

Rupanyup has not publicly disclosed a reason for the forfeit.

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