Sunny Sunday was replaced by a torrential Tuesday as heavy rain saw the second Ford Trophy encounter between the Central Stags and Wellington Firebirds in Palmerston North called off after heavy morning rain.

The abandonment handed the Stags their first two points in a weather-hit campaign that will send them to New Plymouth next Sunday to play the competition leaders Canterbury while still looking for their first win.

The rainoff was a wasted journey for both Blair Tickner who had joined the Stags side following his hamstring injury and New Zealand A duties in the last month, and James Hartshorn who was called into the Firebirds' Ford Trophy side after BLACKCAP Hamish Bennett pulled up sore at training on Monday with an abdominal niggle.

The Stags will play Canterbury on both Sunday 13 December and Tuesday 15 December at Pukekura Park with both matches FREE admission.

All teams then begin preparations for the Dream11 Super Smash presented by KFC which for the Stags gets underway in Napier at McLean Park under lights on 27 December, with the Central Hinds playing from 3.40PM in a Xmas season doubleheader with the Wellington Blaze and Firebirds.

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Article added: Tuesday 08 December 2020