Frustration as Rotherham Titans' match falls to the big freeze

The fixture against Wharfedale in National Two was called off by the match referee due to a frozen pitch after allowing as much time as possible for conditions to improve.

An inspection referee had ruled yesterday that the match could go on, but lower then expected temperatures overnight meant an expected thaw did not take place.

Titans have not played at home for seven weeks due to the postponement of December's Yorkshire derby against Hull Ionians, the Christmas break and two successive away games.

"We are all frustrated," said Gary Pearce, Rotherham's club's new head of coaching.

"We went through the protocol properly. We got the pitch inspected yesterday and it got passed by the RFU.

"Once it had been called on we had a wait for the match officials to turn up today and I think we were all under the impression it wasn't going to be played.

"That's the protocol you have to go through and unfortunately it doesn't help anybody.

"We're disappointed, the officials are disappointed but we have just got to suck it in and get on with it."

The call-off meant a wasted journey for Wharfedale and for supporters who turned up hoping to see some some action.

The next available date for a rearrangement is Saturday, February 4.

Titans player Callum Bustin said: "It was a bit gutting it was called off but it was probably the right decision because the pitch was still pretty frozen."

Only three matches in National Two North beat the freeze, including Fylde's game on the artificial surface at Blayton.

Fylde won 31-12 to go top and are Rotherham's next opponents at The Woodlands next Saturday, weather permitting.

The local sporting programme was also decimated by the cold weather, cutting across football, rugby and hockey.

Postponements have already been announced for tomorrow.