By Tallon Smith

An 11th-hour deal will see the traditional Group 19 Anzac Day fixture between the Inverell Hawks and Tingha Tigers go ahead after initially being cancelled yesterday.

The match, which has been hosted by Inverell since 2015, was called off yesterday after a controversial change of venue to Tingha this year was made by the Group 19 Board.

However, the match has now been set again for 2:30pm tomorrow at Bob Ward Oval, with the A Grade encounter to follow a slate of junior games.

The initial cancellation arose after Inverell argued that the match should be returned their home ground of Varley Oval, as it is a major fundraiser for the local RSM club, which is the title sponsor of the Hawks club.

Tingha meanwhile asserted their right to host the match at Bob Ward Oval as per the initial decision, with club officials stating that it is their turn to host the annual clash.

An alternative plan where Inverell were to host Narwan and Tingha were to host another club, both on Anzac Day, was accepted by the Hawks but refused by the Tigers, as they believed it being a local derby was necessary ensure a higher gate.

In response to the final decision that Tingha would host the match, Inverell earlier this week stated they are unable to play due to already having committed to a post-match function at the RSM club, and asked for the match to be shifted to the weekend.

With the match therefore not scheduled at that point for either Anzac Day or the weekend, it was unclear yet as to whether the match would have ben counted as a forfeit by Inverell or postponed to later in the season.

It is understood by Battlers For Bush Footy that after it was revealed that a no-show would have been counted as a forfeit, Inverell decided to re-commit to the fixture on Wednseday Morning.

The Ladies’ League Tag fixture will not proceed after Inverell forfeited earlier in the week.

The Group has still not yet released an official statement on the matter, and both Group 19 Chairman Peter Presnell and NSWRL Regional Manager Harrison Hunter declined to comment on the matter.

Note: Battlers For Bush Footy spoke to officials from both clubs at length but chose not to quote either owing to the fact that an official position has not been made clear by Group 19.