YORK Wasps suffered a triple whammy yesterday as the big winter freeze put paid to the New Year's Day clash against Swinton Lions.

Leo Epifania's side lost the chance to put some Northern Ford Premiership points on the board against another side without a win so far, while the club forfeited an estimated £4,500 in lost revenue.

Players and staff also missed out on some of the New Year's Eve revelries as they kept themselves fresh for what would have been a vital clash.

The Huntington Stadium match went the same way as the Boxing Day clash at Hunslet, both games falling victim to frozen pitches.

But whereas last week's match was shrouded in controversy after being called off just 30 minutes before the kick-off with the players kitted out and fans already in the ground, the decision yesterday was made in the early morning after local official Dave Asquith carried out a pitch inspection.

Chief executive Ann Garvey said: "We needed an official to confirm the pitch was unplayable but we knew before then that the game would be called off.

"It was obvious the pitch would be rock-solid. I went to the club at 9am and Dave Asquith came down by 9.30am. Swinton were told the game was off immediately, as were the media.

"As much as we would have liked to go ahead it was not possible. Even if there was a thaw yesterday I don't think it could have been played today it was that solid."

The early decision meant the club would not have to fork out for the likes of stewards, security and catering, but Garvey estimated they would have foregone £4,500 in lost gate receipts.

"It's difficult to say exactly how much but I think it would have been a fairly good crowd and if we were to get about 800 it would have been about £4,500," said Garvey.

"But the players' safety comes before any revenue that might have been coming into the club."

She continued: "The lads had been up for the match, just as they were for the Hunslet match. They trained Christmas Eve and even on New Year's Eve and we had 26 players out for the session on Sunday.

"It's obvious that players get despondent when games are called off. As much as they may train there's nothing like playing a match.

"All of them are fighting for a place and they're very eager to get on with the games and get some points on the board.

"I feel especially sorry for the players this time as it was New Year's Eve and they could have gone out and enjoyed themselves. But there's nothing we can do about Mother Nature."

She added: "I'm sincerely hopeful that the forecasters are right in saying this bad freeze is almost over, and we're hoping the game away to Oldham on Sunday will go ahead."

The only NFP game to take place over New Year was the Huddersfield versus Keighley clash, thanks to the undersoil heating at the McAlpine Stadium.

Garvey said: "I'm sure every team is anxious to get games under their belts but no-one more so than York."

As this is a longer than normal season, the Wasps are hopeful their two postponements could be rescheduled for weekends, though no dates have been fixed.

"We're looking at Sundays for all re-matches," said Garvey. "Hopefully they won't be midweek because then it gives us a better chance of better crowds."

Updated: 11:35 Wednesday, January 02, 2002