LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
The inaugural NRLW Magic Round faced significant disruptions due to severe weather in Newcastle.
The opening day of the two-day event had all three matches played in heavy rain, with the Tigers-Roosters match experiencing a temporary delay due to a thunderstorm.
With the Roosters ahead 20-4 shortly into the second half, a lightning warning prompted officials to halt play for 35 minutes-an unusual but not unheard-of precaution in first-grade rugby league, as evidenced by a similar incident in a prior men's match.
Even before the delay, conditions were far from ideal, as rain caused noticeable pooling on the field.
The challenging weather particularly affected the first match of the day between the Bulldogs and the Titans, leading to a rare 14-all draw-the first stalemate in the league's seven-year history.
"You have to play in any conditions at the end of the day," remarked Bulldogs captain Tayla Preston, acknowledging the impact of the weather.
"Errors are going to happen in that weather, but there was a period of about five minutes where none of us could see the ball or the players."