Rugby Union referee Scott Reynolds made a 600-mile round trip to York on Saturday - only to call off a game.

The Devon official deemed that the Clifton Park pitch was not fit to stage York's North East division one derby game against Goole.

Although the bulk of the well-grassed surface was capable of taking a stud, the centre of the pitch, which was bare, was much harder and had some

ridges.

He also took into consideration that the temperature would drop

during the course of the game and there was a doubt over whether the pitch would be playable later in the afternoon.

The decision was a bitter blow for Nathan Savage, who was on the bench after being out of first team action for six months with a broken leg, and former New Earswick All Blacks rugby league player Julian Ramsey, who was poised for his debut in the centres.

Referee Reynolds opted to call the game off just before the Goole party arrived for the mid-table fixture, but several ex-players believed the match should have started.

It is common practice for referees to take charge of games in another part of ther country under a scheme devised by the Rugby Football Union and the Referees' Society - but the validity of the plan must be questioned if long

journeys are being undertaken in the winter months.

It would seen to be more practical to adopt the scheme earlier, or later, in the season when there is less likelihood of a postponement because of weather.

Officials of both clubs are hoping the game will now be played in February, but no final decision has been made.

It all proved to be an anti-climax for York, who have now completed their fixtures for the Millennnium.

In common with several clubs they are out of action until Monday, January 3, when they travel to North One side Driffield for a club match.

Driffield were one of the few sides in action on Saturday, thumping Winnington Park 48-0 in a league game.

York's next league game will be at Darlington on Saturday, January 10.

Reynolds' decision was in keeping with referees elsewhere as the cold

weather meant that none of the sides in the York area were in action.

It wiped out all the North East One programme and a large chunk of the Thwaites League, including the following games - Hullensians v York RI, Heath v Malton and Norton, Cleckheaton v Pocklington, North Ribblesdale v Selby and Northallerton v Hemsworth.

While York were frozen out, their supporters' group, the Quality Street Gang, were looking forward to a return to warmer climes next November.

They have been invited to re-appear in the Dubai Sevens next November after being beaten in the final of the social clubs' section of the prestigious international tournament a couple of weeks ago.

Ricky Richardson, who organised the tour to the United Arab Emirates, said: "We will soon be looking for sponsors to enable us to fly the flag for York

once more.

"This time we are determined to bring the trophy back to York."

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