SCOTTISH RUGBY’S National Youth Cup Finals Day, which was supposed to be played at Murrayfield this Saturday [10th December], has been postponed due to current and forecast adverse weather conditions.
Edinburgh woke up under a thin blanket of snow this morning and further snow and freezing temperatures is forecast for the capital over the next two days, with windchill is expected to reach -6 degrees Celsius, raising concerns for both players and spectators.
“With player welfare a clear priority and to enable timely communication with competing teams to allow for travel arrangements to be changed an early decision has been made to postpone the seven planned finals on Saturday,” said a statement issued by Scottish Rugby.
U18 Schools Cup Final: strong first half sets up Merchiston win over Edinburgh Academy
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Schools Cup Finals Day Under-16s round-up …
“The freezing weather conditions bring an increased injury risk to players alongside team, spectator and volunteer safety regarding travel, which were also factors taken into consideration.
“Despite measures taken to prevent pitch freeze following the School’s Cup Finals this week, the minus temperatures and recent snowfall has already frozen the back pitches at BT Murrayfield which had been scheduled to host both matches and team warmups on Saturday.
“It is not expected that the pitches will be in a safe, usable condition by Saturday.
“Losing the back pitches would directly impact on the running order for the day’s scheduled games, which accommodate sufficient warm-up time, matches and post-match presentations across seven finals.
“Participating clubs have heard directly from Scottish Rugby this morning (Thursday 8 December) to advise of this postponement and that a new date will be set and communicated in the New Year.
“This weekend there are Regional Youth Finals scheduled to take place at clubs across the country.
“For these fixtures appropriate decisions on whether the fixture can go ahead will be based on the local conditions and contingencies available. Should any of these matches be cancelled alternative dates will be found to reschedule the fixture following normal weather call off processes.
Gav Scott, Director of Rugby Development said: “We know that this postponement will come as a disappointment for the players and volunteers who have put in so much hard work both on and off the field to reach the Finals day event, we equally are disappointed to have to make this call, but it is important that we put the welfare of those involved first, both from a playing and travel standpoint.”
The seven Finals which had been scheduled for Saturday were”
- Girls U16 Shield: Stirling v Biggar
- Girls U16 Shield: Dumfries Saints v Murrayfield Wanderers
- Boys U16 Shield: Peebles v Stirling
- Boys U16 Cup: GHA v Ellon
- Girls U18 Cup: Edinburgh Harlequins v Stirling
- Boys U18 Shield: Earlston HS/Melrose Wasps v Ayr/Wellington
- Boys U18 Cup: Boroughmuir v Peebles
U18 Schools Cup Final: strong first half sets up Merchiston win over Edinburgh Academy
Any idea of timescales for the rearranged finals?