Valley Cougars

The club have taken this decision after the preliminary round tie – scheduled for February 4/5 – was unable to be played on the Sunday – meaning that many of last season’s players would be ineligible due to rugby union commitments.

“It is very disappointing that we are unable to fulfil the fixture, particularly as we would have been confident in doing so had there been a compromise between the two clubs,” said Cougars secretary Clive Batchelor.

“The tie was arranged to be played next weekend, and with a lot of our boys involved with union sides it would have been impossible to field a ‘mixed’ team on the Saturday, as were the terms of our participation in the competition.

“So we had hoped that the tie could be played on the Sunday. Even though many of our players would have had a union game the day before they were willing to turn out and fulfil the fixture, but sadly that will not happen.”

As a result Shaw Cross Sharks will progress to the first round, where they will face the winners of York Acorn v Norland Sharks at home.