Last updated at 11:47, Monday, 06 August 2012

Torrential rain and a massive thunderstorm ended Workington Town’s trip to Gateshead earlier than planned.

The match was abandoned half an hour before the scheduled start time as large areas of the International Stadium pitch were under water.

Town chairman Dave Bowden said: “I haven’t seen rain like that. It just started as we got to the stadium and then became much worse. We had thunder and lightning with the rain.”

There was an issue over the postponement as Gateshead Council, who have recently overseen £100,000 worth of improvements top the playing area, wanted it called-off very early on.

The match referee was prepared to wait and see if the weather improved and delay the start but once the water started to lay in large quantities he made the decision to call it off.

“We will be talking with Gateshead about a new date for the game. We will have to come back but we don’t have a new date,” said Town chairman Bowden.

And while Town were going home early they were able to keep up with up-dates from their rivals Doncaster who were in action at Whitehaven.

The Dons’ surprise 25-18 defeat means that Workington Town’s title hopes, and their bid for the £50,000 prize, are back in their own hands.

If Town can beat Barrow at Derwent Park next Sunday, and deny their Furness rivals a bonus point, they will be favourites to pick up the crown.

Bowden said: “Obviously not having played for ten days, since losing at Doncaster, we would have wanted to play at Gateshead ahead of the Barrow game. But we will be ready because it really is a big game now with so much at stake.”

Town have lost twice at Barrow in both the League and the Northern Rail Cup and will be hoping that home advantage can swing it their way on Sunday.

Their recent Super League recruits Chris Annakin (Wakefield) and Adam Walne (Salford) were due to make their bows from the bench at the International Stadium. They will probably have to settle for a similar role against Barrow.

First published at 11:30, Monday, 06 August 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk