Matches unlikely to go ahead (From Echo)

Matches unlikely to go ahead

8:20am Friday 10th February 2012 in Rugby Union By Chris Phillips

FROZEN pitches are likely to wipe out most of the planned rugby fixtures in south east Essex this weekend.

Southend are due to host Taunton at Warners Bridge in National League Two South But the game is almost certain to be called off.

“The pitch is still covered in snow and is rock hard underneath that as well,” said a club spokesman.

“We will do what we can to get the game on but we know Taunton have a long journey to make and will make an early decision about whether or not we have to call it off.”

In National Three League London & SE, Westcliff will also be holding a pitch inspection ahead of their rearranged home clash with bottom of the league Luton.

And it is a similar story in London One North where Rochford Hundred are due to be playing at Hammersmith and Fulham after the original clash between the two teams was called off last Saturday.

“The weather reports do not look promising and the pitch will still be frozen I should think,” said Rochford’s first team manager Graham Pratt.

But if the game does go ahead, Rochford will be forced in to making a few changes to their starting line-up.

James Needham is not available and Ross Murphy will therefore return in the second row.

Greg Whight moves in to the back row, while Michael Marks is back at prop and Dan Bracknell returns to scrum half.

At the top of the table, leaders Thurrock are at second placed Colchester while in London Two North East Canvey Island are at home to Lowestoft and Yarmouth and Basildon travel to Saffron Walden.

In London Three North East, South Woodham Ferrers are at home to Newmarket and, in Essex One, Pegasus Palmerians are away to Maldon.

In Essex Two, Stanford le Hope visit May and Baker.