THE weather was once again the big winner with most of the regional rugby programme frozen off for a second week in succession.

Only two league games were played across the North East league spectrum, although one was of great significance to the title Durham and Northumberland Three title race.

Following the previous weekend's postponement of the same fixture, second-placed Prudhoe and Stocksfield managed to get their top-of-the-table clash fulfilled as leaders Seaham came to town.

The game ended up going the way of the home side as Prudhoe and Stocksfield racked up an 18-5 victory, closing the gap between themselves and the top spot to just four points.

Prudhoe and Stocksfield also have a game in hand on Seaham to make further inroads, although both sides will be hoping to keep things ticking over this coming weekend with matches against mid-table opposition.

Seaham are at home to Jarrovians, while their pursuers travel to Sedgefield.

The only other league clash of the weekend to get the go-ahead was in Durham and Northumberland Two, where mid-table Winlaton Vulcans thrashed third-bottom Hartlepool 66-5.

Other than those two encounters the entire card was again wiped out, with early calls thankfully being made in SSE National One to save the two North East sides a long wasted journey.

Blaydon's trip to London was postponed as early as Friday afternoon with Blackheath's pitch deemed unplayable, while Tynedale's trek to Coventry was among the other Friday cancellations as Tyne were spared a futile drive south. Westoe left it until a Saturday morning inspection to confirm the postponement of their National Two North visit of Hull Ionians, although the 9am confirmation did at least prevent the Yorkshire outfit from setting off for South Shields.

National Three North leaders Darlington Mowden Park were frozen off for a second week in succession across the Pennines at Altrincham Kersal, while in North One East the weather put paid to a top-of-the-table clash as leaders Billingham were postponed against second-placed Wheatley Hills.

The North of England's Under-16 national festival at Broadstreet RFC near Coventry was another victim, while the start of the new rugby league season was also hit with Gateshead Thunder's Northern Rail Cup date with Doncaster called off.