RDFNL match called off after argument between club and umpires

The Riddell District has explained a social media post expressing disappointment in “poor behaviour” that saw a match called off on the weekend.

A RDFNL netball game was called off on the weekend.

A Riddell District match was abandoned on Saturday following a dispute between a club and umpires.

The netball match between Romsey and Lancefield at Romsey Park was called off early in the fourth quarter when the Redbacks disputed a sending off.

New rules introduced this season have upgraded sanctions for player misbehaviour.

A “suspension” sees a player serve a two-minute penalty, while a “order off” dismisses them from a game completely.

It is understood the disagreement was over whether the player could return or not with umpires deciding to end the game early when an impasse could not be reached.

The league said in a social media post on Saturday night it was “sad to see some poor behaviour over shadowing some fantastic results”.

RDFNL operations manager Grace Bibby elaborated on the post.

“It is really disappointing for both clubs and the league as the incident over shadowed what should have been a fantastic day celebrating a great rivalry and 150 years for Romsey,” Bibby said.

“While the game was abandoned the result will stand given the incident took place after half-time.

“This is a good reminder for all clubs to be across the league bylaws, rules of netball and to also be kind to one another.

“The rule in question is something that changed in the off-season and clubs and umpires are still getting their heads around it.

“The league will undertake some more training with umpires and club officials to make sure this doesn’t happen again.

“We love the passion that our close competition is bringing but we want it to remain positive.

“We had incidents over a number of venues on the weekend where behaviour crossed the line and it will not be tolerated.

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“The RDFNL have been very lucky over several years with no instances where the game has been brought into disrepute.”

With the match called off eight minutes into the final term, the result will stand.

Lancefield were awarded the win, 33-27, upsetting the Redbacks.

The two clubs were celebrating Romsey’s 150th anniversary on Saturday, the clubs’ rivalry dating back to 1879.