Second rugby league clash cancelled on account of weather

Another rugby league pre-season friendly has been cancelled for safety reasons as the spate of bad weather in the UK continues.

Much of the UK, particularly the North, has been subject to brutal winds and inches of snow with sub-zero temperatures taking over during the nights.

It makes you wonder how rugby league ever was a winter sport but the downside of being a summer sport is that the pre-season takes place during those wintery conditions.

The pre-season clash between Halifax Panthers and Warrington Wolves for Fax winger James Saltonstall’s testimonial has already been cancelled for the weekend, and now another game has fallen victim to the weather.

Widnes Vikings have confirmed that their game against League One outfit North Wales Crusaders will not go ahead on Friday night on account of the weather.

The Championship outfit plays at the DCBL Stadium where they use an artificial surface and a statement from the club has confirmed that the forecasted weather combined with the fact that there is already ice on the surface, means it has been deemed unfit for Friday night.

Rugby League club confirm weather cancels friendly

A club statement read: “Widnes Vikings can confirm that our pre-season clash with North Wales Crusaders, scheduled for this Friday, has been cancelled.

“Following an inspection by a Grade 1 Official this morning, the decision has been made to cancel the fixture due to adverse weather conditions.

“With the current level of ice on the playing surface and forecasted sub-zero temperatures for the next two nights, it has been deemed unfit for Friday’s game.

“Any supporters who have purchased tickets online can expect to receive a full refund, all those who purchased tickets at the market should go to the market to collect their refund.”

After the cancellation of the testimonial match between Halifax and Warrington Wolves, both teams stated that an update would come regarding a possible rescheduling. As it stands, Widnes Vikings will face Warrington at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Friday the 19th of January.

As for North Wales, they will face London Broncos next Saturday on the 18th of January.