Three Challenge Cup fixtures have already been postponed ahead of what could be a severely disrupted weekend in rugby league.
With Storm Goretti gripping the country this weekend, more freezing temperatures and snow is forecast nationwide. As such, the country is braced for what could be a challenging few days amid rail delays, flooding and power cuts.
However, the weather looks set to have a big say on the weekend’s offering of rugby league, with the first round of the Challenge Cup already being impacted. That’s because three games have already been cancelled and one is currently rated as 50/50 with a call to be made on Saturday morning.
The BBC made the decision to switch tomorrow’s live broadcast from Rochdale Mayfield’s clash with Ince Rose Bridge to Thatto Heath Crusaders against Seaton Rangers. That was due to a frozen pitch and that game has now been officially postponed.
King Cross Park have pushed their game with West Hull back a week in the hope that January 17 might provide more favourable conditions, while Telford Raiders have called off their tie with London Chargers.
The game that’s still in the balance is in York with Heworth due to take on the RAF. It’s fair to assume that as Saturday arrives more games will be impacted, though, which will certainly serve to complicate Monday afternoon’s third round Challenge Cup draw.
So far, we have seen two pre-season friendlies called off, too, with Castleford Tigers and Batley Bulldogs making early calls to cancel their games with Oldham and Sheffield Eagles respectively. A frozen pitch was cited by both Castleford and Oldham.
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