BALLARAT Rugby endured a “bizarre” turn of events as its semi-final opponent Kiwi Hawthorn forfeited Saturday’s clash.
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The Rattas were strong favourites coming into the game but what was meant to be the first final in Ballarat in over a decade wasn’t to be as Kiwi Hawthorn pulled the pin on Friday.
Kiwi Hawthorn opted to field its best line-up for the division 2A encounter against Eltham in Melbourne and therefore hindered its second side. It won its top division semi-final 14-10 but left Ballarat disappointed to not have the opportunity to host a long-awaited final.
But nonetheless it will advance to the preliminary final without injury and a week off. The Rattas will now take on Melbourne, who it beat 25-0 in round 15, at the neutral venue of Ashwood Reserve for a spot in the grand final.
