Magners League clash postponed due to fog

Weather began to play havoc with the festive sporting fixtures tonight as the Magners League clash between Llanelli Scarlets and Newport Gwent Dragons was postponed due to thick fog.

There were also doubts during the day over two Guinness Premiership rugby clashes, which threatened to linger until closer to kick-off.

Fog threatened the sell-out match between Gloucester and Newcastle at Kingsholm.

It passed an initial 4.30pm pitch inspection by referee Rob Debney but was due to be monitored ahead of the scheduled 7.30pm kick-off.

Bath’s match against Sale Sharks at the Recreation Ground remained on despite the foggy conditions, however a second inspection by referee Ashley Rowden was due at 6.45pm, an hour before kick-off.

The Llanelli match was called off following an inspection by Welsh Rugby Union referee Nigel Owens at 4pm, when the conditions were judged unfit.

Scarlets chief executive Stuart Gallacher said: “The fog is very bad and you couldn’t see the posts from the halfway line nor the four corners.

“At 2.30pm the game could have been played but the fog descended and it became impossible for the game to go ahead.”

Gallacher added: “It is very disappointing especially as this was our only home game over the Christmas period.

“The temperature was dropping and we wanted to call it off as soon as we could so people could change their travel arrangements.”

The game is expected to be rearranged for the weekend of March 24-25.