Bradford Bulls' epic Challenge Cup final clash with arch-rivals Leeds Rhinos was today a major doubt after massive flooding in Edinburgh.

The Murrayfield pitch - the stage for the showpiece final - was under three feet of water last night, though the flood waters had seeped away to leave 18 inches by this afternoon.

It was said to resemble a lake after days of heavy downpours in the Scottish capital saw the River Leith burst its banks. The final was said to be at great risk, though a final decision may not be taken until tomorrow lunchtime.

Never before in the Challenge Cup competition's 103 year history has a final been cancelled.

The stadium was also hit by a power cut and the gym and changing rooms were also flooded. Police said the chances of Saturday's match going ahead were "touch and go".

The flooding left thousands of Bulls fans in a massive dilemma - with many already having paid out hundreds of pounds to cover the cost of hotels and travel.

Graham Law, media director for the Scottish Rugby Union, said the floods had cut the power to the stadium and a full scale operation had been launched by the emergency services to get Murrayfield and surrounding areas back on track for the influx of more than 67,000 fans.

"At 8.55pm last night the pitch was under three feet of water and the changing rooms and gym area were flooded," he said. "We had to wade out of the stadium to get to my car, which I had earlier had to move because of the flooding.

"The pitch is like a lake at the moment. It's now around 18 inches deep.

"I spoke to our facilities manager and he said when we had flooding 10 years ago when the rain stopped the pitch drained very quickly. The power is off at the moment. The stadium clock registers 20:51 - the time the power went off."

Asked about the prospect of the game going ahead, he said: "We have the safety aspect to consider.

"The intention is to pull out all the stops to make it happen. We will be assessing it as the day goes on.""

A pitch inspection was carried out at 8.45am today and a spokesman for Lothian and Borders police said: "The pitch is covered with water but it's draining off rapidly and the grass is starting to show through.

"It's touch and go whether it will go ahead but staff are working flat out to get everything sorted."

Bulls fans were desperately waiting to hear what the likely outcome was - fearing they could be left with hotel bills and train tickets that were no longer wanted.

Albert Ratcliffe, 68, and his wife Mavis, 69, from Wyke, only learnt about the flood threat when they went to buy a scarf from the Bulls shop in Odsal Stadium today.

Mr Ratcliffe said: "I've been a Bulls fan since 1949 and our whole family is gong up for the final. There'll be 16 of us in total including my two sons and our daughter and their families.

"My wife and I are only travelling up on the day and will drive back afterwards. But the rest of them are staying up there for the weekend so it would mean cancelling hotels."

Mrs Ratcliffe added: "We'd be devastated if it was cancelled. I've been going to see Bradford since I was ten when I went with my dad.

"The players, the fans, everybody is so hyped up for this game. We've only just heard about the flooding. I just hope they can drain it in time."

Onne Edinburgh hotel owner had a message of reassurance for fans.

Alex White, the owner of the Claremont Hotel in Edinburgh's New Town, said: "We've got about 30 supporters booked in over the weekend. But they are only reservations so we would be the losers if they had to cancel because the game was called off.

"I know most of the guys who are coming and they haven't telephoned me yet so we are in the lap of the Gods, but it would definitely cost us if the game didn't go ahead."

Bill Lothian, rugby correspondent for the Edinburgh Evening News, said it wasn't the first occasion the national stadium had suffered from flooding.

"The River Leith, which is about 50 yards from the stadium has burst its banks before and the recent England-Scotland Rugby Union international was also played on a very heavy pitch. That was the first sign that the drainage wasn't perhaps as good as it should be.

"It's now looking very unlikely that the match will go ahead."

Today the Rugby Football League were being more circumspect over fears that the first cup final played north of the border would be called off.

Spokesman John Huxley said: "It's far too early to comment. We are monitoring the situation very carefully and, although we are concerned, we are not panicking at this stage. We are on top of the situation.

"There are two days to go and the weather forecast is reasonable. We are also told that is a good draining pitch."

PA Meteorologist Colin Conlan said the weather would remain cloudy in Edinburgh today with the rain petering out to be replaced by dry and light spells later on in the day.

He said: "Overnight and through into Friday it is looking as if it's going to be dry but remaining cold and cloudy.

"Saturday will start out dry and bright but there is a band of rain which will move up from the South getting to Edinburgh about midday and then carrying on from there.

"I don't think it's going to be heavy but obviously if the ground at Murrayfield is already water logged it's not going to help."

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