WIBSEY RUFC have been forced to call off their game in Yorkshire Three today, with the club having their hand forced by Bradford Council.

After the terrible weather over the last couple of weeks, the Council have made the move to close all of their grass pitches over the weekend.

That mainly affects grassroots football, but Wibsey's usual ground, Northfield Road, as well as their back-up alternative of Beldon Lane, are both council-run, so neither will be open for rugby this weekend.

It is a crying shame for Wibsey, who would have been playing an exciting home derby against Halifax Vandals.

The Council said in a statement: "Due to the recent period of heavy rain and flooding of some areas, playing pitches across the district remain waterlogged.

"Although the weather is looking likely to improve this weekend, pitches are currently inaccessible to maintenance teams.

"Use of the pitches in their very wet and heavy condition could potentially damage them for teams' use later in the season and may put players at risk."

Wibsey may have had to pull out of the game anyway, and risk handing Halifax a walkover, as chairman Steve Brooke had admitted on Thursday morning, before the council decision was made, that the Bradford side were struggling to raise a side for this weekend.

Old Grovians, who ground share with Otley at Cross Green, are in action today, and they host North Ribblesdale in Yorkshire Two.

Baildon are also in Yorkshire Two action, at Northallerton, but that division's leaders, Keighley, are without a game.

Neither Cleckheaton nor Bradford & Bingley are playing this weekend in North One East, while Bradford Salem of Yorkshire One also have a free Saturday.