Weather hits Elbra’s bid for National Cup
Last updated 20:02, Monday, 21 April 2008
FORMER holders Ellenborough are desperate to play their delayed National Cup tie against Hunslet Old Boys on Saturday – or face losing home advantage against the Leeds outfit.
The Maryport club called off the game on Friday night due to waterlogging, as if they had waited until Saturday morning and it was still unplayable, Ellenborough would have been forced to pay Hunslet’s transport costs, if they had set off for West Cumbria.
Under competition rules, a second postponement next weekend will force Ellenborough, the 1997 cup winners, in to looking for a suitable neutral venue, or the tie could even be switched to Hunslet.
That would mean they would lose gate revenue and match sponsorships. But chairman Wilson Smith believes the second round clash will get the go-ahead.
“The frost on Monday night tightened things up a bit,” he said. “At the moment it is playable. We are not panicking. We were disappointed not to play on Saturday as we wanted the match on.”
Third round ties are scheduled for February 9, so there is little room for manouvre. Seaton’s visit to Crosfields also fell victim to the weather, and they will also try again next weekend.
Wath Brow booked their place in the next round with a 20-14 win over West Hull, coached by Whitehaven-born ex-Wigan star Craig Murdock.
But Cumberland League pair Distington and Glasson went out, at Rochdale Mayfield and Stanningley respectively.
Millom’s visit of Conference Premier Division title challengers East Hull was among the ties that lost out to the weather.
