THE Gordon Rigg Bradford Premier League and Aire-Wharfe League have delayed the start of their seasons next Saturday (April 20) due to the wet weather.

In many cases clubs have not been able to get equipment onto the outfields or even cut or roll the squares.

However, both leagues have rescheduled their “first-day” fixtures for later in the season.

The Bradford Premier League are using Sundays September 1 and 8 for their re-arranged matches, with details of who is playing on what day to be released soon.

The Gordon Rigg Priestley Shield final, which was due to be played on September 1 at Hunslet Nelson, has been switched to Sunday, August 4.

Meanwhile, the first matches in the Rigg Bash T20 Group A Cup competition, which were due to be played on Sunday, April 28, have been re-arranged for Sunday, July 21.

The play-off between the fourth and fifth-placed pool winners to secure the last place in the Rigg Bash Group A finals day at Morley on Sunday, July 28, will now switch to Tuesday, July 23.

If league matches on April 27 and beyond are rained off there is insufficient space in the fixture list for them to be re-arranged so teams will get five points each.

Bradford Premier League chairman Bill Holmes, who could have been speaking for all leagues within the Broad Acres, said: “After visiting grounds and talking with groundsmen and club officials first hand, board members are all too aware of the immense problems the incessant rain has caused.

“Our thoughts are with all the hard-working volunteers and club personnel who have been faced with unprecedented challenges. We thank them for their endeavours and we urge everybody to support and appreciate their efforts.”

The Airedale & Wharfedale League have re-scheduled matches to Saturday, September 21, with Sunday League matches from April 21 rescheduled to September 22.

The Airedale & Wharfedale League’s playing representatives and head groundspeople were split on what to do on April 27-28, but clubs will be advised by the league’s management committee of a decision by April 20.

It is more likely that most leagues will not re-arrange fixtures from April 27 or 28 due to the crowded calendar and even less likely if there are any issues on the first weekend in May and beyond.