Oldham sorry for late call-off

Photo: Tim Bradley

NO PLAY TODAY . . . a waterlogged pitch at Bower Fold left match officials with no choice but to call off yesterday's clash between Oldham and Dewsbury Rams in the Kingstone Press Championship.

OLDHAM RL Club has apologised to supporters for the late postponement of the Dewsbury Rams game at Bower Fold yesterday.

It was called off at 1.45pm - 15 minutes before turnstiles opened and 75 minutes before kick-off - because the pitch had quickly become waterlogged.

The decision was taken by match commissioner John Holdsworth and referee Scott Mikalauskas.

It was one year to the day since last season's Oldham v Bradford Bulls game was called off at the same venue because the pitch was snowbound.

Roughyeds chairman Chris Hamilton said: "Initially the pitch was not holding water and we didn't anticipate a problem.

"Rain then began to come down relentlessly, pools began to form, and we were left with no option but to postpone the game.

"The decision was made by the match commissioner and the referee. There was no input from Stalybridge Celtic, who were keen for the match to go ahead, if at all possible.

"The pitch quickly became unplayable and that was before anyone had gone on it. Fifteen minutes into the game and it would have been a question of how long could we carry on.

"We apologise to anyone who was inconvenienced, but until shortly before the decision was taken, the pitch was playable."

A new date will be announced in due course.