“We don’t know when we’ll be back in operation, but it could be some time” - Rugby club Old Rishworthians counting the cost of flooding

All the pitches at the Copley club and its other pitches further along at Hollas Lane are out of action for a number of weeks and will make a massive impact on fixtures at both senior and junior rugby level.

Rishworthians run two senior teams who play on Saturdays and various junior/mini squads from U5s to U12s (minis) and U13 to U18 (juniors) who play on Sundays.

The club is actively seeking support from other local clubs and schools to request use of their facilities while the Copley pitches are out of action.

A club spokesman said: “We are waiting for a dry period to start to clear and treat the pitches. The ground is too soft to get machinery on to it to remove the debris.

“We have a meeting with RFU officials on Monday (February 24) to review the damage to the pitches and advise where needed on pitch maintenance and recovery.”

The two main fields are covered in river sand, bricks and stones and Yorkshire Water pumping station tanks were overwhelmed resulting in flooding in the main car park and the beer cellar.

The financial loss includes items washed away and those contaminated including damage inside the clubhouse at cellar level.

Contaminated water in the clubhouse has rendered it unfit to sell beers from pumps.

Major house and grounds equipment have been lost including petrol lawnmowers, spiking machines, trimmers, fridges, line marking machines, fertilisers, and electric fuel pump and a compressor.

Rugby equipment has been washed away including tackle pads, post protectors and flags.

“We don’t know when we will be back in operation, but it could be some time due to current weather conditions hampering the start of the pitch recovery work,” said the spokesman.

The club also has plans to extend its changing facilities in the near future. 

Saturday’s Yorkshire Silver Trophy tie at home to Guisborough has been postponed, so the club is seeking an alternative pitch to play its home Yorkshire Two league match against Northallerton on February 29.