A casualty of the poor storm weather in Europe, the Toyota Cheetahs had their hopes of top class rugby dashed on Sunday when their EPCR Challenge Cup match against Irish side Ulster was postponed because of a frozen pitch.
The game, which was initially meant for a field outside Amsterdam and was sold out, was moved on Friday indoors without fans, and then when the weather looked better on Sunday was again moved back to the original venue at Dukes Rugby.
But while the teams arrived in the freezing conditions, a pitch inspection ruled the field unplayable and the teams packed up their kit and headed back to their hotels.
There was some suggestion the game could be played on Monday but that looks unlikely unless both sides agree.
The EPCR released a statement saying they will decide the next steps through their “Board Crisis Management Group.”
“Following a pitch inspection by the Toyota Cheetahs v Ulster Rugby match day referee Kevin Bralley, his decision is that the pitch is unplayable. His recommendation to EPCR, Toyota Cheetahs and Ulster Rugby is that the pitch at Dukes Rugby is not safe for today’s fixture to take place as scheduled at 2pm local time.
“The match is thus postponed until further notice. EPCR will convene its Board Crisis Management Group to consider next steps,” the statement read.
Further updates are bound to follow.