Last updated at 14:02, Monday, 06 February 2012

SNOW and sub-zero temperatures combined to wipe out the entire local football and rugby calendar at the weekend.

GAME OFF: Snow on the pitch at Dalton RL’s Kelland Park yesterday as matches across the area in all sports were postponed because of the weather JOE RILEY REF: 50029520B000

All matches in the North West Counties, West Lancs and Furness Premier League football competitions, the North West Counties Rugby League and Hawcoat Park and Furness’s rugby union contests failed to kick off as a cold snap gripped the north of England.

Millom, Dalton and Ulverston were coated with snow, with night-time temperatures on Friday going well below zero.

That left pitches throughout the region unplayable, with many games called off days in advance.

Barrow AFC’s proposed friendly against Bolton Wanderers reserves was pulled on Thursday, while Millom RL cancelled yesterday’s Challenge Cup tie against the British Police on Saturday morning.

The Bluebirds had hoped to face Luton Town at Holker Street tomorrow night, but the Hatters’ FA Trophy third round tie at Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday was another victim of the freeze. That game will now be played at Aggborough tomorrow instead, leaving AFC without a home game until February 18.

Barrow Raiders had no scheduled game but were unable to use their Craven Park pitch for training.

Temperatures throughout Furness and the surrounding areas improved slightly yesterday, with clubs now crossing their fingers matches this weekend will be able to go ahead.

AFC are due to head to Cambridge United, while Raiders’s opening Northern Rail Cup match at Leigh on Sunday should survive barring all but the heaviest snowfall, as the pitch has undersoil heating.

First published at 13:07, Monday, 06 February 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk