A pre-season clash between Cumbrian rivals Barrow Raiders and Whitehaven has been postponed, it has been confirmed.
Barrow were due to host Whitehaven at Craven Park this afternoon in what was due to be their second pre-season friendly after Paul Crarey’s side took on and beat North Wales Crusaders last week.
However, their preparations for the start of the new Championship season, which gets underway in two weeks’ time, have been dealt a setback. With temperatures plummeting to below zero across the country overnight, the pitch at Craven Park is frozen and has been deemed to be unsafe to play on.
As such, the game, which was due to kick off at 2pm has been postponed. It has not been confirmed whether an alternative date will be found for the fixture.
Interestingly, a friendly between the same two sides over the opening weekend of 2025 was postponed, too. That was due to heavy snow in the Cumbria area, but the clash was rearranged and played on the following Tuesday night. It remains to be seen if something similar is agreed upon.
It’s fair to say both teas will be keen to get the game on, with the start of the season approaching rapidly on the horizon. As mentioned above, Barrow thumped North Wales Crusaders 50-24 last week in their first outing of pre-season, and they have another game coming up next Saturday against Scotland Bravehearts before taking on Workington Town on January 18 in the opening round of the Championship season.
Whitehaven open their Championship season with a home game against Sheffield Eagles.
Halifax Panthers are due to take on Rochdale Hornets in one of the only other rugby league games set to place this weekend, but given the weather, it remains to be seen if that one will be able to go ahead.
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