A hard overnight frost was once again the culprit in frustrating Ilkley's rugby team from mounting their campaign for Second Division survival.

The team turned up at Stacks Field for a 12.30pm departure to their hosts West Leeds. Whilst Stacks Field was bathed in beautiful sunshine there were some hard parts which the Ilkley officials were confident would soften sufficiently for play at 2.15 pm.

Consequently the first XV was fired up and raring to go over to Leeds fully anticipating that play would be possible.

However, as the decision to travel was made at Ilkley the dreaded phone call arrived to announce the game was off. Hard patches down the clubhouse side of the Bluebell Lane pitch were not thawing, so that was that. Then the second XV's away trip to Burley just down the road at Kirkstall was also called off and the third team's fixture at home to Burley seconds was cancelled because Burley could not raise a side.

It was a strange coincidence that the Six Nations season was kicking off on BBC at 2pm. Does TV and beer talk louder than a good run out on the rugby field these days?

This was a real disappointment for the Ilkley coach Richard Midgeley who had worked hard with what could be judged an almost full strength side during the week.

The whole team had turned in for training on Thursday and the return of Charlie Cudworth had given them a real fillip. Only Brendan Kelley (broken leg) and the two Moffatts, Phil (damaged cheek) and Ian (calf) were absent from this week's line up.

Now they must put another hard week's training in to remain in top gear for the visit of Northallerton this Saturday. This is a real four pointer as both sides lie too close for comfort near the bottom of the league.

Meanwhile Keighley look to be streaking away with the championship, with nearest rivals West Park Bramhope slipping up at Malton in the only fixture to survive the frost on Saturday.

It is a reflection of Ilkley's misfortune this season that Keighley's two most hard fought encounters have been with the Dalesmen.

The home fixture just lost early on by three points, and the away clash at Utley being shaded by one try after Ilkley had looked good for an upset.

Ilkley supremo Richard Scargill, a man who does not tolerate second best, has launched an appeal amongst club members for funds to resurface the car park.

Diggers were down last week trying to level the existing surface to eliminate the huge potholes that have developed over the last couple of years. Whilst it is better, it is far from acceptable, especially to the high standards demanded by Scargill.

The potholes will surely reappear. A relatively large sum of money is required from members and friends of the club. This will match funds accumulated over recent years as a result of good income generation and prudent financial management.

It is appropriate to mention again the generosity of members, sponsors and friends of the club. There is a genuine support for rugby in Ilkley from these individuals. This support is greatly appreciated.

A match day at Stacks Field is a great social occasion as well as providing genuine, though often frustrating, entertainment for the Ilkley supporters.

Once funds for the renovation are in place Mr Scargill is confident that the improvement will generate new revenue for the club by making it a better place to visit, especially for those people whose footwear is not always up to a trek through six inch deep mud pools.

Mr Scargill commented that the saving on footwear and shoe polish was argument in itself!

Anyone who would like to contribute in however small a way should contact the club secretary. All contributions will be kept and returned if the funds cannot be raised.

In the disappointment of no live rugby the players and spectators went off to watch the Six Nations openers.

Now it's all eyes on Saturday. A big crowd is expected at Stacks Field for Northallerton's visit. Then there is the prospect of Wales suffering another defeat at the hands of England on TV in the clubhouse .Ilkley kick off 2.15.