With the Eagles trailing 21-22 at half-time in the round seven clash against Congupna, umpires made the call to abandon the game due to court condition.
The clash was taking place on newly resurfaced courts completed during the week, with residue reportedly making conditions difficult for players.
“There was some residue on the new courts that was coming out due to the rain and making it a bit slippery,” Eagles co-coach Jess Saunders said.
Saunders admits the decision was a “bitter pill to swallow” as her Eagles went step-for-step with the Road in pursuit of their second win of the season.
“C-grade continued on the other court and finished their game but the umpires for some reason or other decided to call us off at half-time,” Saunders said.
“You’re there to play a game of netball and no-one was really slipping over or hurting themselves, so it was disappointing.
“Our girls were in really good form — It was a bitter pill to swallow.”
It’s currently unclear whether points will be split or the one-goal advantage to Congupna will see the Road take the victory.
“My understanding of the bylaws is that it should be two points each,” Saunders said.
“It’s a bit of a grey area — it’s going to be a league decision on what the result is.”
Before the abandonment, Eagles co-coaches Saunders, Elle Molluso and Remy Day led the charge in a strong first half.
United led by six goals for the majority of the half but Saunders admits they let the Road back into the contest into the second.
“I thought we were looking like the better team on the day,” she said.
The Eagles now have a week off due to the current split round, but they will have their work cut out for them in a contest against second-placed Nathalia.
United will also be sweating on the fitness of one of their star defenders with Tilly Keenan sustaining a rib injury against Barooga last weekend.
“She’s nursing potentially a fractured rib,” Saunders said.
“It was a tough game and unfortunately (Keenan) copped a big hit and had to be taken to hospital.”
The Eagles are currently 11th in the Murray Netball League.
