Penrith’s postponed North One West game on the Isle of Man has been rearranged for Saturday, March 19.
The game against Douglas was called-off following advice from the RFU.
Their edict stated that if either side in any of the week-end fixtures did not wish to play they could call off the game without sanction.
If the game was to go ahead there was a number of pieces of advice ranging from players travelling to the game in kit so they didn’t need to use the changing rooms, to numerous ones detailing the use of masks and social distancing but it was the final one that was the killer.
“Minimise travel with other people” which didn’t fit too well with taking a coach to Liverpool and getting on a small plane and flying to Douglas and back.
The Penrith squad was intent on travelling and playing until the RRU advice was received but couldn’t do anything bar call off the game if it was to act in a responsible manner.
The Club President Charles Graves was in charge of the operation and had ensured the 21-man party were all double-jabbed, all had the NHS App and covid pass and a Manx Entry Permit.
First team manager Mike Sanderson said: “It was the right decision but a bit of a pity after all the preparations.
“Charles had spent a lot of time pulling it all together and we were going with a decent side and would have been disappointed not to get a result.
“It wasn’t our first choice side but it very rarely is yet we thought we were strong enough. We’ve put plenty of poorer sides out in the not too-distant past. We’re just hoping the season restarts not too far into the new year.”
