A MONTH-LONG lack of rain and the resultant rock-hard grounds are playing havoc with amateur and junior RL games in South Cumbria.

Already victims tomorrow are the planned National Conference League Division Two fixture at Fallowfield Park – where West Bowling were due to be Askam’s visitors – and Hindpool's North West Men's League encounter with Rochdale Mayfield A at Brisbane Park.

Walney have also moved their cup game against Heysham Atoms to Kirkby Lonsdale RUFC's artificial pitch to avoid problems.

Like most grounds at the moment, the Fallowfield Park surface has hardly any grass on it, and the pitch has been closed until the condition improves, with no senior or junior games going ahead.

The Sandrats' victory at Dewsbury Moor last weekend came with a string of grass burns and scrapes among the players, and coach Dave Clark was fully behind the decision to call off tomorrow’s game because of the concrete-like conditions.

“There is no point in taking unnecessary risks with grounds in the condition they are,” he said.

Barrow and District League official Terry Barker recognises there is an unprecedented situation in the area at present, with a total lack of rainfall meaning it is hard to stop pitches become rock-hard under the burning sun.

“I've been in this for more 50 years now and I have never seen this as bad – it's as bad as I have ever known it,” said Barker.

Asked when he thinks Askam's pitch would become usable once more, he added: “We will need a lot of rain for the pitches to become playable again.”

All junior fixtures in the Barrow and District League have been cancelled until further notice because of the pitches, with safety concerns for the children.

Barker also confirmed that Hindpool, Ulverston and Dalton have cancelled all games on their grounds this weekend.

That means games will be scarce, and with Askam due at home again next week, the rain would have to come quickly to stop another game being postponed.

Roose Pioneers have moved their Barrow and District game tonight against Millom A to the Strawberry Grounds, home of Furness RUFC, as their pitch is unplayable at Redwaters.

Millom's match with Gateshead Storm will still take place after Coronation Fields passed a pitch inspection on Wednesday morning.