SUB-ZERO temperatures across most of the North of England caused havoc for our football and rugby union sides at the weekend, with no games in Bradford or anywhere particularly close by going ahead.

Bradford's big two, City and Avenue, both had their home games called off, against Rochdale and Scarborough Athletic respectively, and none of the other football teams in the district were able to play either.

The same fate almost befell all of our rugby union teams, though there was one side that played, but probably wished they hadn't bothered.

Cleckheaton's Regional One North East clash at Billingham did take place up in the North-East, with both sides braving the Arctic conditions to play a full 80 minutes.

The hosts had only lost once all season though, and made it 13 wins from 14 by beating Cleck 45-18.

But the visitors were in the game early on, a Dale Breakwell penalty and a Brad Marsden try meaning they were only trailing 14-8 after 24 minutes.

And that was how the score stayed until the dying seconds of the first half, when Billingham grabbed a crucial third converted try.

Two more tries in the first 15 minutes of the second half put the result beyond doubt for the home side, though unconverted scores from Braden Hunter and Marsden at least kept the score ticking over for Cleckheaton.

Billingham extended their advantage with two late tries to end the game with a convincing win, the result seeing Cleckheaton drop to fifth after rivals Driffield thumped struggling West Bridgford 60-3 in the only other game in that division on Saturday.

In Regional Two North East, rock-bottom Bradford & Bingley's home game with Malton & Norton lost out to the weather, as did Bradford Salem's clash with Dinnington in Counties One Yorkshire.

Keighley are top of Salem's division, but their game at title rivals Old Rishworthian was frozen off too, as was Baildon's Counties Two Yorkshire clash at home to Leeds Corinthians.

As for the football, not a single game went ahead in the Northern Counties East League, meaning the Premier Division clashes at North Ferriby and Thackley for Eccleshill United and Hallam respectively were called off.

Silsden also had their home game with Frickley Athletic postponed, while in Division One, leaders Campion did not get chance to play their away encounter at Nostell Miners Welfare.

Steeton's game at AFC Blackpool in the North West Counties Football League First Division North was lost to the weather, as was Brighouse Town's clash at Hebburn Town in the Northern Premier League East Division.

In the NPL Premier Division, Liversedge's game at Morpeth Town was called off, as was Guiseley's FA Trophy third round game at home to FC Halifax Town.

That game has been rearranged for tomorrow night at Nethermoor, with Farsley Celtic's third round tie at home to Chester also now being played this midweek after being lost to Saturday's big freeze.

Finally, Bradford City's West Riding Women's County Cup third round tie at home to holders Brighouse Town was called off.