It was almost a Herculean effort, with the Cheetahs CEO Rory Duncan revealing the lengths they went to in an attempt to keep their EPCR Challenge Cup dreams alive. Despite battling severe winter conditions in the Netherlands, their clash with Ulster at Dukes Rugby Club was ultimately axed. But not before the club and the local community pulled together in a frosty frenzy of snow shoveling.
Rory Duncan shared how the team, staff, and the locals armed themselves with nothing but shovels and grit, fighting a relentless battle against Mother Nature. "The community and everybody at the rugby club got involved, from young kids to adults, everyone was involved because it was quite a big operation," he explained. They were all hands on deck, manually clearing the pitch in a bid to salvage the game.
"We did everything in our power, we really worked. I’m talking about manual labor moving the snow off the pitch and used every resource we had. We wanted to play the fixture."
Despite their valiant efforts, the match officials had to step in, declaring the pitch unplayable and citing player safety as a non-negotiable priority. According to EPCR regulations, the responsibility to provide a playable venue falls on the hosting team, leading to Ulster being awarded a 28-0 bonus-point win. This decision effectively dashed the Cheetahs' playoff aspirations.
Duncan acknowledged the disappointment but conceded that player welfare must take precedence, especially under such extreme weather conditions. The Cheetahs, who have been stationed in Amsterdam for their four seasons in the Challenge Cup, face their final match of the campaign against Racing in Paris. While the snowy saga in the Netherlands was a setback, it showcased the spirit of rugby: unity, resilience, and a relentless drive to keep the game alive, no matter the odds.
With the Challenge Cup journey nearing its end for the Cheetahs, their focus now shifts to Paris, where they hope to conclude their campaign on a high note.
2,193 posts
It was almost a Herculean effort, with the Cheetahs CEO Rory Duncan revealing the lengths they went to in an attempt to keep their EPCR Challenge Cup dreams alive. Despite battling severe winter conditions in the Netherlands, their clash with Ulster at Dukes Rugby Club was ultimately axed. But not before the club and the local community pulled together in a frosty frenzy of snow shoveling.
Rory Duncan shared how the team, staff, and the locals armed themselves with nothing but shovels and grit, fighting a relentless battle against Mother Nature. "The community and everybody at the rugby club got involved, from young kids to adults, everyone was involved because it was quite a big operation," he explained. They were all hands on deck, manually clearing the pitch in a bid to salvage the game.
"We did everything in our power, we really worked. I’m talking about manual labor moving the snow off the pitch and used every resource we had. We wanted to play the fixture."
Despite their valiant efforts, the match officials had to step in, declaring the pitch unplayable and citing player safety as a non-negotiable priority. According to EPCR regulations, the responsibility to provide a playable venue falls on the hosting team, leading to Ulster being awarded a 28-0 bonus-point win. This decision effectively dashed the Cheetahs' playoff aspirations.
Duncan acknowledged the disappointment but conceded that player welfare must take precedence, especially under such extreme weather conditions. The Cheetahs, who have been stationed in Amsterdam for their four seasons in the Challenge Cup, face their final match of the campaign against Racing in Paris. While the snowy saga in the Netherlands was a setback, it showcased the spirit of rugby: unity, resilience, and a relentless drive to keep the game alive, no matter the odds.
With the Challenge Cup journey nearing its end for the Cheetahs, their focus now shifts to Paris, where they hope to conclude their campaign on a high note.