THE WET weather played havoc with outdoor sporting events over the weekend with numerous rugby and football matches called off because of waterlogged pitches.

Wellington were due to play Ivybridge in a rugby match at the Athletic Ground in Regional Two South West on Saturday, January 24.

But it was called off the previous day with secretary Ashley Colman saying: “The pitch was horrendous. There was no chance of the game being played and with more rain on the way we informed Ivybridge of the situation right away. There was no point in delaying telling them. “

The game has already been rearranged for Saturday, February 7, the same day as the big international between England and Wales.

“Supporters will be able to watch our match and then the international on television afterwards,” added Colman.

Wellington’s footballers were also due to play away to Ivybridge in the Premier Division of the Jewson Western League on Saturday and this was called off after a video consultation with the match referee with the pitch in a poor state because of heavy rain.

The town council also postponed all fixtures on its pitches over the weekend, including Wellington Reserves’ match against Crediton United Reserves in the Premier Division of the Devon & Exeter League which was due to be played at the Carly Press Ground.

An early decision to postpone was also taken over Tiverton Foxhounds’ big point to point meeting which was to be staged at Chipley Park, near Milverton, on Sunday.

The event is one of the biggest ourdoor sporting occasions in the area and has suffered such a fate in the past because of bad weather.

“The course was heavily waterlogged - and with more rain forecast,” said a disappointed Liz Dorse who is secretary of the Foxhounds. “We had a similar situation last year and had to rearrange the meeting for early February.”