Heavy frost causes College Sport fixture cancellations

It was a case of victory for the weather this weekend, as a number of College Sport fixtures were cancelled due to a heavy frost, which left a number of pitches frozen on Sunday morning. Two of the opening round of College Football fixtures were cancelled, and will be rearranged for a later date, after captains and officials deemed them unfit to play on due to the Arctic temperatures. Last term’s runners-up Derwent were amongst the teams to have their match cancelled, as their fixture against Goodricke succumbed to the elements, whilst the highly-anticipated contest between Halifax and Vanbrugh was also postponed. Additionally, the opening round of hockey fixtures were all cancelled as the freezing temperatures left the JLD in a rock-hard and unplayable state.

James were looking to extend their tremendous unbeaten run in the highlight of the day’s fixtures, as they were set to meet last term’s runners-up Goodricke. However once more the weather prevailed, leading to the cancellation of this fixture along with the other matches involving Halifax, Derwent, Alcuin and Vanbrugh. The presence of the YIndoors Frisbee tournament meant that the tent was unavailable for use for College Basketball, whilst the College Rugby fixture between Derwent and Goodricke was cancelled, after the College from Hes East failed to field a side. The cancellations put increased pressure on a hectic College Sport calendar, which is already strained due to the presence of  College Varsity and Qualifiers weekend.

College Sport Officer Dave Washington said: “It’s obviously very frustrating that we’ve lost a number of fixtures to the weather this weekend, but sadly we have to accept that freezing weather is likely this term.

“Hopefully we won’t have the hazard of snow this term, as we can ill-afford more cancellations, but we’ll endeavour to ensure all fixtures are completed, and hope the weather is fine for College Varsity later this term.”