THE fact that Wharfedale have booked a session on the all-weather training pitch at Giggleswick School tomorrow offers some indication of the chances of their National Division Two game against Waterloo at The Avenue going ahead, (writes Tony Simpson).

"I just can't see it happening," says coach Peter Hartley. "We changed our training night from Wednesday to Thursday in the hope of some let-up in the frost, but that hasn't materialised.

"The biggest danger we face is that the weather does take a major change for the better and the game goes ahead when everyone is expecting it to be frozen off.

"We had a decent training session last weekend to help get the Christmas cobwebs out of the system and we need another blow to get everyone back to their best after the festive season."

One benefit for the lay-off last weekend is that Graham Smith is fit again and would resume at scrum-half tomorrow were the game to go ahead.

Skipton may not be too disappointed if the current frosty weather rules out tomorrow's Yorkshire Two league game at Castleford. They have a worrying injury list to cope with and a week's respite might be useful.

The Reds were having a roll call last night to establish who will be fit to play tomorrow if the cold snap relents.

Flanker Chris Howarth was a casualty with ham-string problems against Huddersfield YMCA last weekend, while his back-row colleague Ian Scrivin needed hospital attention after cutting his ear in the same game.

Centre Jon Sharpe joined the growing list of centres laid low by an injury jinx. Matt Jones has been forced to retire through injury, Andrew Porter has been out for several weeks and Darren Howson had to stand down on Saturday.

With Jack Morgan targeting the Millom Cup tie as a possible comeback date after breaking bones in his hand and Scrivin and Howarth also doubtful for tomorrow, Skipton's resources in the back-row and centre are starting to look worryingly thin.

With Castleford having recently earned an 8-8 draw at Sandylands, the last thing Skipton need is to take a below strength line-up to Whitwood.

North Ribblesdale face another trip to the East Riding for their Yorkshire One game against Beverley. Weather permitting, the Grove Park men will be anxious to make amends for their disappointing 12-10 recent home defeat by the same opposition.

'Revenge is a dish best served cold', so the saying goes, which seems inevitable if the game is able to go ahead at all.

Like Skipton, the Settle side may welcome a week off given that they are without holidaying Gareth Evans, Simon Devoy and Neil Gemmell tomorrow.