WINTER'S cold snap followed by endless hours of rainfall put paid to sport across Lancaster and Morecambe at the weekend.

Morecambe were already due to be without a fixture as the rain swept across the country but Lancaster City's daunting trip to Unibond Premier Division title-chasers Droylesden fell victim to the deluge.

A whole programme of local league football fixtures took a back seat too, and even the hardy rugby playing types of Vale of Lune and Heysham Atoms - who normally turn out in all weather and conditions - settled for a day of inactivity.

Lancaster City were counting it as a blessing in disguise when an early pitch inspection saved them the bother of travelling to Droylesden.

Boss Phil Wilson was without injured players Ricky Mercer, Paul Haddow, John Robertson and Gary Bauress for the game - and a question mark hung over defender Farrell Kilbane as he was sitting a fire service exam in Hertfordshire that morning and then had to dash North for the game.

However, Mercer, Robertson and Bauress are all back in contention for this week's trip to Harrogate Town while the unlucky Haddow will be out for three weeks with a foot injury sustained against Radcliffe.

There was one bit of good news for Morecambe, too, ahead of this Saturday's home game against Northwich Victoria, the Conference's rock-bottom side.

Defender David Perkins has been named in the England National Game XI squad to take on Italy at Telford next Wednesday, Febuary 11 - his second call-up to the non-league international side.