THE sporting schedule was put on ice at the weekend as the big freeze took its toll on pitches throughout the area.

Cherries’ League One clash with Exeter City was the first to fall victim after the Dorset club announced on Thursday that its efforts to beat the weather had failed.

That proved a sign of things to come as football and rugby fixtures were heavily disrupted by the frosty conditions.

Temperatures dropped as low as minus 11c to leave groundsman and club officials with little other option than to call off matches.

Non-league outfit Bashley saw their fixture at Chippenham Town postponed as the entire Southern League programme was wiped out.

The local Wessex League teams also did not play, but Cowes Sports and Team Solent both secured home wins over Hythe & Dibden and Warminster Town, respectively, as their games got the go-ahead in Division One.

One match in the Hayward League survived on Saturday – with Old Oakmeadians reserves claiming a 3-2 victory at FC Athletico in Division Three.

Bournemouth Rugby Club’s promotion push in National Three South West was put on hold as their game against Newton Abbot at Chapel Gate was one of many rugby matches that failed to get the green light.

Lions director of rugby David Dunn said: “We trained on the pitch on Thursday night and it was very hard.

“The overnight forecast was in the minus degrees so it was a fairly clear-cut decision for us and we postponed the game on Friday.

“When the ground won’t take a stud, scrummaging is impossible and it is dangerous.”