Cup call-off defended by Hamilton

SIGN OFF: A notice at Whitebank informs fans of the latest Law Cup postponement.

OLDHAM RL Club chairman Chris Hamilton hit back after Rochdale Hornets director of rugby John Stankevitch branded yesterday's Law Cup postponement a "total embarrassment".

The annual showdown was called off for the third time due to a frozen playing surface. Roughyeds then pencilled it in for Wednesday night, but Rochdale were unwilling to commit to that.

Yesterday a pitch inspection four hours before the game was due to start established it would not be possible for the contest to go ahead, which led Stankevitch to post a message on his Twitter account.

He said: "Hornets v Oldham off for the third time. Total embarrassment. Maybe Whitebank facilities need looking at?"

But Hamilton defended his corner, saying: "The comments are unhelpful, misinformed and ill-advised."

The chairman remains hopeful the fixture will take place. He added: "We still have time to get it done before the start of the season. We suggested Wednesday but Rochdale were reluctant and will discuss it at a board meeting tonight.

"Naturally it was very disappointing when the match had to be postponed again, especially because we had monitored weather forecasts and it hadn't been predicted.

"We were still hopeful at 10am because the sun was out, but by mid-day it had gone in and it was a bit cloudy.

"Within seconds of setting foot on the pitch in the afternoon it became clear that it was not going to be playable."