On the eve of the 2017 competition, the New Era Cup was thrown into disarray after news last year’s runners-up Blackheath will withdraw from the competition, effective immediately.
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Despite appearing in the last three grand finals the Blackcats imploded, the loss of Ryan Jervis and Matt Ranse to Group 10 clubs and early season injuries reportedly creating a vacuum too large for the club to fill.
With the knockout tournament to take place this Saturday and the premiership to commence three weeks later, the decision by Blackheath to exit the New Era Midwest Cup at this late stage has thrown organisers into a spin attempting to hurriedly re-schedule the draws for the season ahead.
Saturday’s knockout re-draw was the most immediate concern for the Lithgow Bears, this year’s hosts, and they have quickly drawn up a fresh draw for the matches.
The Blackcats’ absence will not affect this weekend’s gala day, the Bears having prepared well, with the infrastructure in place for another successful event.
Bears’ representative Lauren Stevens said it was very disappointing to lose the Blackcats, but, even without the Mountains club the show will still go on.
