Bees match at Harrogate is under investigation (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Bees match at Harrogate is under investigation

10:00pm Thursday 7th February 2013 in Sport By Bill Marshall, T&A Sports Reporter

Bradford & Bingley's match at Harrogate last Saturday is being looked at by the Rugby Football Union.

The SSE National League Three North derby was called off because of a frozen pitch after an early-morning inspection, but a leading official from the Wagon Lane club belive the Claro Road pitch was playable.

Bees secretary Nick Patterson confirmed: "Last Saturday's game is under investigation by the RFU.

"It was called off after an 8.30am pitch inspection because the pitch was frozen but we believe it was playable later in the morning."

The match has been re-arranged for Saturday, March 16, and Patterson believes the Bees need about 20 more points from their remaining ten matches to be certain of staying up.

He said: "We have 34 at the moment and it normally takes 55 or 56 to avoid relegation but with the bottom three tailing off, it could be that as little as 50 would be enough."

Bees hooker Eddie Peglau is ill, so James Brown comes in for the home match against Penrith on Saturday.

Lock Richard Hughes continues his comeback with a place on the bench alongside Roger Raper and Henry Paul.

Bradford & Bingley (home to Penrith): B Greaves; A Magee, T Bills, R Tafa, J Morton; S Brimacombe, R Scull; R Wederall, J Brown, J Moss, A Malthouse, B Mitchell, M Mitchell, G Ford, C Fisher. Replacements: R Hughes, R Raper, H Paul.