ARL By Helen Thompson

Last updated 11:25, Monday, 05 January 2009

THE big freeze continues to hit rugby league hard with all amateur matches postponed this weekend due to frozen pitches.

Not one game got the go ahead on Saturday, and the Carnegie Challenge Cup preliminary round fixtures, involving Ellenborough, Wath Brow and Egremont, have been put back to next weekend.

Broughton Red Rose’s National Cup second round clash with Oulton Raiders was one of the games that was hit by the weather.

It is rescheduled again for next Saturday but there could be problems as Oulton are also involved in the Challenge Cup.

They are down to play Ovenden in the preliminary round of that competition so officials at the Cumberland ARL are currently waiting for a BARLA ruling to see which game will be played.

Also in the National Cup, Hensingham are due to play Upton again on Saturday. The Whitehaven outfit are holding a pitch inspection on Thursday as the tie must be played this weekend.

If the pitch is unplayable once again then the tie will be switched to Upton.

The third round of the National Cup has now been drawn with three local sides getting home ties.

Ellenborough Rangers will try and continue their fine form in this competition when they host Ince Rose Bridge, who are currently lying just behind Wath Brow, second in the Conference League Division One table.

Egremont Rangers will bring fellow NCL division two outfit Milford Marlins to Gillfoot Park and the Marlins will provide tough opposition as they currently head up the table. Millom could face an all Cumbrian tie as they will meet the winners of Normanton or Ulverston clash.

Last year’s beaten finalists and previous winners Wath Brow Hornets must take to the road, to NCL premier league side Thatto Heath.

If Hensingham move past Upton, they face a journey to NCL division one mid table side Saddleworth Rangers.

And if Broughton get through their second round clash, they will face a high mountain to climb, in the form of NCL premier league side Leigh East.

Fixtures - Saturday

John Smiths Cumberland League Division One: Kells v Distington

Division Two: Seaton A v Maryport A, Lowca A v Salterbeck A, Gt Clifton v Kells A, Salterbeck v Flimby

SJR Cumberland Cup round one: Maryport v Seaton, Frizington v Wath Brow, Cockermouth v Lowca

National Cup round two: Broughton RR v Oulton, Hensingham v Upton

Carnegie Challenge Cup preliminary round: Ellenborough v Wigan St Patrick’s, Wath Brow v Millom, Egremont v Thornhill Trojans