THORNBURY were left frustrated on Saturday as their Tribute South West One West clash with basement side Midsomer Norton was called off at the last minute.

The match will now be played at Midsomer Norton on Saturday February 4, with a 2:30 kick off but the decision did not please everyone.

Thornbury endured a 75-minute trek to deepest Somerset for the match but found it was called off just before kick-off due to a frozen pitch. The main pitch surface had passed a mid-morning pitch inspection but, with that pitch deemed too hard, the game was moved to an adjacent pitch. However, despite the temperature increasing, there were areas of this other pitch that were deemed too hard to play on and the home captain chose to say he wanted it called it off.

The referee explained that, according to the rules and in these circumstances, if one of the captains was unhappy about the surface, the official had to agree to call off the game for safety reasons. But it was not to Thornbury's liking. They were unhappy with the playing surface but the players agreed to play the game rather than come back later in the season. Skipper Liam Pemberton and the referee were confident that the pitch was hard but playable but rules are rules.

There was understandable disappointment and frustration from the players and the travelling support, including some from Bridgwater who had arrived for another team’s game, that the decision to postpone the game had not been made earlier.

Head coach Rob Higgitt said: "It's pretty frustrating at this level for games to be called off five minutes before kick-off.

"Everyone of the team had travelled for this and people, who have come to support, travelled and the game is called off and rescheduled for another Saturday.

"It's their (Midsomer Norton's) call and their pitch but games need to be called off in the morning at this level.

"When you ask 18 guys to give up their Saturdays with their families, it is not satisfactory."

One of Thornbury's sides managed to get their game played despite the big freeze last weekend.

Thornbury thirds enjoyed a 36-25 win over Southmead on Saturday.

This Saturday, all three senior adult teams are at home. Thornbury firsts take on Matson whilst the seconds play United Bristol Hospitals and the third XV lock horns with St Brendan’s Old Boys seconds. The games all kick off 2.15pm.