Dear All
A weather ravaged programme of Carnegie Challenge Cup games finally confirmed today as postpone has now been moved to the week-end of 16/17th January 2010.
As a consequence the Ace Insurance BARLA National Cup second round ties are affected and no dates for re-arrangement possible at this stage.
Once the weather relents clubs with strong/effective floodlighting may, if they so wish and in conjunction with their match day opponents, endeavour to arrange in their Ace Insurance BARLA National Cup ties.
For this to happen however, there must be MUTUAL agreement between the competing club teams otherwise ties will eventually be staged when possible. If agreement should be reached to play mid week then I must be advised at once.
The dilemma now arises that the Carnegie Challenge Cup first round is due to be staged on the week-end of 23/24th January 2010 and if ties cannot be played at that point then the default for the playing of games moves one week ahead to 30/31st January 2010 - thus creating a real headache with the prospect of severe backlogging.
I have seen some suggestions from clubs around the playing mid week of Hattons Solicitors National Conference League games. There is no valid reason why such games cannot be organized however until there is a significant improvement in both the weather and ground conditions we cannot in isolation of well documented other priorities attempt to address this issue without exacerbating an already tricky predicament.
The priority at present is clearance as soon as practicable of the Carnegie Challenge Cup games with the Ace Insurance BARLA National Challenge Cup ties becoming secondary in the pecking order.
We are all frustrated by the continuing cathartic influencing circumstances - which cannot be controlled - preventing play however, effort will be made to keep the obvious disruption of ties to an absolute minimum.
Your patience and understanding during this difficult period will be very much appreciated by the competition administrators and Regional Leagues respectively who vest importance towards maintaining fixture continuity for member clubs in their respective organisations.
Hopefully the worst of the weather may be set to pass in a few days - let us therefore hope so!!!
Regards.
David C Lowe
