Rangers cup gesture goes unrewarded

FROZEN pitches seem set to push back the majority of Carnegie Challenge Cup preliminary round ties for a third week running — with even Saddleworth Rangers drawing a blank in the BARLA National Cup despite being willing to concede home advantage.

Down to take on Wigan St Cuthbert’s, Rangers’ pitch is currently under several inches of snow and the two clubs investigated the possibility of switching the game to Wigan.

Saddleworth’s clear priority this season is gaining promotion to National Conference League division one and it is felt that a fixture pile-up would hinder their prospects, hence their willingness to forsake home advantage.

However, St Cuthbert’s reported that their own pitch was in no great shape and the tie has been postponed.

The Challenge Cup game at Higginshaw Road between Oldham St Anne’s and Wigan St Jude’s was first due to be played on the second day of the New Year but has been called off on consecutive weekends due to the poor conditions underfoot.

Saints hope to get the game played on either tomorrow (1.30pm) or, more likely given the possibility of a gradual thaw, Sunday.

If the tie can’t go ahead, it will be held back for a further week and the home venue won’t be switched.

Challenge Cup ties take precedence over all other fixtures and Waterhead — due to play against Drighlington at home (1.30pm) — are in the same boat as St Anne’s when it comes to their slim chances of playing on either day.

There is the possibility of changing the home venue from Waterhead Park to Counthill, if conditions there are more suitable.

Higginshaw have already called off their home tie in the second round of the BARLA National Cup against Hunslet Warriors.