Pakenham Eels and Casey Warriors faced an extraordinary moment on the weekend as they prepared for their local NRL Victoria Men’s Second Grade local derby at Casey Fields.
With a referee shortage meaning there weren’t any officials in attendance, both sides settled to agree on one point each in a 0-0 draw.
The result means both sides hold their ladder positions but an extra point would have been critical heading into the season’s final verse.
The obscure results continued around the league, with a forfeit taking place in the Eastern Raptors v Sunshine Cowboys match.
In the games which did go ahead, the Melton Broncos professionally disposed of the Doveton Steelers.
Christopher Tuitea was laser-like with 4/5 conversions successful as his side maintained first position on the ladder.
There was a massive upset on the other side of the city, with Werribee taking down the North West Wolves 14-10.
The Bears remain in seventh while the North West Wolves lost ground on the second-placed Eastern Raptors.
In a high scoring affair, Altona was attacking the scoreboard heavily to defeat Truganina 34-26.
Next week, Doveton will travel to town against the Pakenham Eels.
The Steelers are tucked away in the bottom of half of the ladder at eighth while the Eels rest in fourth place for now.
Casey will have its work cut out if this week is anything to go by, loping to the other side of the Westgate against the in-form Werribee Bears.
Melton will host Truganina with ambitions to extend their gap on top of the ladder.
Conversely, the Eastern Raptors will hope to close the gap on Doveton when they meet Altona.
Sunshine and North West will round out the week at the Cowboys’ home deck.
R10 Results: Casey 0 v Pakenham 0, Eastern Raptors v Sunshine Cowboys forfeited, Doveton 8 v Melton 28, Altona 34 v Truganina 26, North West 10 v Werribee 14.
Ladder: Melton 17, Eastern 15, North West 11, Pakenham 10, Altona 8, Casey 8, Werribee 7, Doveton 6, Truganina 6, Sunshine -2.
R11 Fixture: Pakenham (4) v Doveton (8), Werribee (7) v Casey (6), Melton (1) v Truganina (9), Eastern (2) v Altona (5), Sunshine (10) v North West (3).
