Rugby Union programme facing freeze (From York Press)

Rugby Union programme facing freeze

10:37am Friday 10th February 2012 in Sport By Stuart Martel, Sports editor

THE cold snap is threatening to put the freeze on Malton & Norton RUFC’s North One East campaign for the second week running.

After last weekend’s trip to Old Brodleians was postponed, the Ryedale club fear tomorrow’s visit to Morpeth could also fall victim to the frost.

Spokesman Bill Laidler said: “We spoke to Morpeth in midweek and they had not had snow, but the pitch was very hard. We are in the lap of the gods, but we are not very hopeful.

“If there is a plus side, it does give people a chance to heal and rest up, but we want to play.”

Pocklington are praying that the sea air saves tomorrow’s Yorkshire One trip to Scarborough, which was postponed last weekend due to a frozen pitch.

The in-form Percy Roaders, who are joint-second in the table with Bridlington, have kept in tune with indoor training sessions last Saturday and on Tuesday.

The club’s second string, the Panthers, travel to Bridlington tomorrow boasting a strong side featuring a handful of players coming back from injury.

Coach Sean Bass makes four changes to the starting line-up for York’s rearranged trip to Knottingley in Yorkshire One.

Jim Rossington comes into the back row in place of Rich Roberts, who has a hamstring injury, and Tom Boyle steps up from the bench to deputise for Matt Hargreaves at scrum-half.

Winger Hugh Nicholson is on the bench as he makes way for Rich Downey, while Billy Cakaunitabua is named at centre in place of Sam Arkle. Sam Thorpe is among the replacements.

Selby are due to travel to Ripon in Yorkshire Two, but the game is expected to fall foul of the weather.

York RI will make a second attempt to play their Yorkshire Three fixture against Bramley Phoenix at New Lane.

In Yorkshire Five, Nestlé Rowntree are scheduled to host Stocksbridge at Mille Crux.