Postponed Wakefield Trinity-Catalans Dragons Super League game unlikely to go ahead tonight as hoped

Wakefield Trinity chairman Michael Carter is not confident the hoped-for rescheduled encounter with Catalans Dragons will take place tonight. PIC: Jonathan Gawthorpe/JPIMedia

The Super League Round Two clash was supposed to take place at Belle Vue yesterday but it fell victim to Storm Ciara with a decision made to call it off just under four hours before kick-off.

Given Catalans had arrived from France on Saturday in readiness, they were hoping to see the game played Monday night to avoid another trip over later in the season.

As much as this was Trinity’s preferred option, too, given how it could create fixture congestion further down the line, chief executive Michael Carter said yesterday it was “extremely doubtful” that it will be organised.

With inclement weather set to continue today and into the evening, it means a new date is likely to be decided for later in the year.

Catalans are already facing a backlog given their scheduled game at St Helens on February 21 is off because of Saints’ involvement in the World Club Challenge.

Other games to be called off as storms battered the country were, of course, Leeds Rhinos’ trip to Huddersfield Giants but also a raft of lower-league matches.

In the Championship, Featherstone Rovers’ home game with Halifax last night was postponed along with Dewsbury Rams’ trip to Swinton Lions and York City Knights’ tie with Bradford.

In the Challenge Cup, amateurs York Acorn’s tie at Rochdale Hornets did not survive but rugby league’s oldest club Underbank Rangers are through to tonight’s fourth round for the first time after knocking out League One club West Wales.

The West Yorkshire amateur club, who were founded in Holmfirth in 1884, were 30-8 winners over the Raiders.

Former Wembley winners Bradford, Halifax, Sheffield Eagles, Leigh, Featherstone and Widnes all now join the draw.