Scarborough Rugby Club Say Weekend's Matches Go Ahead

Friday, 9 September 2022 14:25

The RFU have issued guidance encouraging teams to go ahead with planned games this weekend.

Scarborough Rugby Union Football Club, says the whole club is deeply saddened by the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and have offered their sincerest condolences to the Royal Family.

The club have been seeking guidance from the sports governing body about whether or not to proceed with planned fixtures this weekend.

The RFU have released the following statement this afternoon

"The overwhelming opinions shared so far within the game, are that teams and supporters want to come together to honour Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to be united in our grief as we express sorrow at her passing.

Rugby, at its heart, is about community and bringing people together, in good times and in sad. Rugby clubs are a source of strength and support during times of uncertainty, and we hope that by enabling games and other rugby activity to go ahead this weekend, with families and friends congregating it will help us all to unite at this time of national mourning.

We strongly encourage all those playing sport this weekend to respectfully pay tribute to Her Majesty The Queen by holding a minute’s silence ahead of all fixtures this weekend. This an opportunity for teams from different areas to join together in honouring and celebrating her life."

In light of the guidance and following consultation with counterparts at Malton the club have confirmed that Scarborough 1st XV's match away at Malton & Norton is ON and will be played as scheduled tomorrow afternoon at 3pm.

The club say that Sunday morning's Junior rugby training will continue as planned and as a mark of respect they will be holding a minute's silence at 10.30am prompt on pitch 1 in memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The club says this will allow groups that are starting and finishing at different times to all join together to pay their respects.

Earlier the FA and the Premier League announced that all this weekend's football matches have been postponed.

Later the ECB announced that cricket will resume on Saturday after play was cancelled on Friday. The ECB say:

"Cricket will resume on Saturday to pay tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and honour her remarkable life and service.

Following the cancellation of Friday’s cricket fixtures as a mark of respect on announcement of her death, the England and Wales Cricket Board can confirm that play will resume from Saturday including international, domestic, and recreational fixtures. The decision has been taken after consultation with DCMS and in line with Official National Mourning guidance.

This means the Men’s Test match between England and South Africa will begin at The Oval and the Women’s IT20 match between England and India will also go ahead at the Riverside in Durham. The scheduled match between England and Sri Lanka Men’s U19 along with recreational cricket fixtures will also take place as planned.

Before each match, a minute’s silence will be observed followed by the national anthem. All players and coaches will wear black armbands."

The Scarborough Beckett Cricket League have confirmed that local matches will be going ahead this weekend, they say that the Umpires will lead a two minute silence, in respect of HM Queen Elizabeth II, prior to the matches.