REGIONAL MATCHES POSTPONED
The game between the Blues and Gogledd was called off at Y Parc, the home of Abercynon RFC at 6.45pm as the referee ruled the pitch unplayable. The North Wales team had travelled for almost six hours and were assured it would be played, but coach Alwyn Bevan of Bangor totally agreed with the decision of the official.
“We have tried four times in four weeks to play games and all have been ruled out,” said Mr Bevan. “I just wish the decision could have been made earlier to stop this long journey. But the referee was correct and the ground was too hard to play on. I think a mini-tournament in May be better.”
At Blackwood, the ruling was the same as the Ospreys travelled in vain to meet the Dragons. That game also fell less than 30 minutes before the scheduled kick-off as the splendid Glan Yr Afon Park had become frozen. Players were glad they were not called on to take the field in such conditions as sense prevailed.
So far, only two of the six scheduled games have been played with the Dragons beating the Scarlets 8-5 at Blackwood and the Blues winning 22-15 over the Ospreys at Dunvant.
The four outstanding games, three involving Gogledd, are unlikely to be played until the New Year and the next scheduled round of matches is not until February 7 when Gogledd host the Dragons and Scarlets meet Blues with the venues yet to be decided.