Galashiels ready to lend Falcons their pitch

Dec 17 2010 by Mark Smith, The Journal

NEWCASTLE Falcons will play Sunday’s home game against Exeter in the Scottish town of Galashiels, should their Kingston Park pitch fall victim to the big freeze.

Club officials remain confident that Newcastle’s normal home venue will be fit for the 3pm kick-off, with frost covers already in place.

But with Amlin Challenge Cup regulations meaning heavy fines for any postponed games, the club have covered their backs by enlisting Gala’s Netherdale ground as a reserve venue.

Situated 70 miles north of Kingston Park, Netherdale was home to Scotland’s Border Reivers team before they were disbanded three years ago. And while the Reivers are no more, a legacy of their tenure remains – the under-soil heating.

“I’m pretty confident that the game will be on at Kingston Park,” said Falcons head coach Alan Tait, himself a former coach at the Borders.

“We’ve had a bit of a snow flurry, but there’s none on the pitch and we’ve got the covers down at the moment. We’ve got helpers coming on Sunday morning if there is any snow lying on top, and we’re confident it should be OK.”

Revealing Plan B, however, the Scot added: “We’ve been in touch with Gala, who have under-soil heating, and they’ve agreed to put the game on for us if we need an alternative venue.

“Melrose are there playing in the British and Irish Cup over the weekend in any case, the heating is all fired up and they’ve said they’re willing to host our match too if we’re in trouble.”