Witches through to League Cup final after BSPA meeting

YET again the weather has wreaked havoc with Premier League fixture planning - following the abandonment of the Premier League Cup Semi-Final between Workington and Ipswich at Derwent Park on Saturday.

YET again the weather has wreaked havoc with Premier League fixture planning - following the abandonment of the Premier League Cup Semi-Final between Workington and Ipswich at Derwent Park on Saturday.

Both clubs have approached the BSPA Management Committee for help and support to resolve the issue as their respective fixture problems increase.

David Hoggart, speaking on behalf of the Committee, said: “We have had to take a common sense approach to the difficulties the weather has created, and the only way to prevent both Scunthorpe and Somerset as well as other competitions being similarly affected is to allow the aggregate result at the point of abandonment to stand.

“As I indicated last week, the circumstances are on an unprecedented scale and we have had to make some unprecedented decisions that are not universally popular. But to force four clubs to run numerous fixtures between them on off race days in shared stadiums is not in the best interests of the sport.

“The planning and use restrictions on both Somerset and Ipswich are well-documented, notwithstanding Workington’s inability to come up with a date that does not impede the competition.”

Workington Team Manager Tony Jackson added: “In order that the competition can progress to its conclusion, we feel that we have no option available to us other than to agree that the aggregate scores after the 24 completed heats of the semi-final shall determine which team progresses to the final; and that team will be Ipswich, who will now face Somerset in the Final.

“It is disappointing not to be able to offer a restaging date; nevertheless, we wish both teams well for the Final.”

NB. Ipswich, Somerset and Scunthorpe will advise their agreed dates today.