Wet and wild! Debris blown on the pitch, players dash for cover and TV presenters are drowned out as storms batter Saturday’s big sports events
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A rugby match ended nine minutes early and several football matches were delayed as torrential rain and high winds battered Saturday’s fixture list
Referee Gwyn Morris called full-time nine minutes from the scheduled end as holders Harlequins secured their first win in this season’s LV=Cup at the third attempt and hand FirstVCC.Com 2012 winners Leicester their first defeat.
Danger: An advertising hoarding is blown across the pitch during a storm which resulted in the match being abandoned at Harlequins
Danger: Advertising hoardings, scaffolding and wooden planks were blown onto the pitch at Harlequins
Safety: Rugby fans are moved away from stand where scaffolding and wooden planks came loose during a storm and landed on the pitch
Play was halted when a torrential hailstorm and high winds hit the Twickenham Stoop and the crowd were warned to move clear of scaffolding at one end of the ground.
With high winds, rain, hail and lightning lashing The Stoop where advertising hoardings and assorted debris were blowing on to the pitch, referee Morris ordered the players to the dressing room.
Leicester Tigers head coach Richard Cockerill had no complaints about referee Gwyn Morris’s decision to end their tornado-hit LV= Cup 20-6 defeat by Harlequins nine minutes early.
He said: “The referee handled it really well. The stadium manager and the referee managed it how they saw fit and the safety of the supporters is paramount.
Video: Players run for cover during storm at Luton Town
Water torture: Players were forced to run for cover during a storm at Luton v Nuneaton (left) and match officials at Leicester City v Middlesbrough
Watch out: Sky Sports reporter Bianca Westwood got soaked covering the League Two match at Dagenham & Redbridge
Stormy: Leicester City’s Ritchie De Laet stands in the pouring rain (left) and hail also fell on the pitch during the Championship encounter (right)
‘I don’t think Quins’ victory was in doubt at that stage.I think the game was past us. With nine minutes to go you would back yourselves to get a bonus point – but the weather was extreme.
‘With scaffolding boards blowing on to the pitch the safety of the fans becomes all-important.You don’t want a supporter getting hit by an eight-foot scaffolding plank from 50 foot because it will probably kill you.
‘While it could affect the possible outcome of our group and who qualifies, sometimes it’s about the bigger picture.
‘You won’t often find me saying it’s only a game but it is – and it’s not worth somebody getting injured.’
Debris: A flagpole was blown down during heavy wind and rain before kick off at the FA Cup tie between Stevenage and Everton
Neigh bother: Horses parade at Doncaster before Saturday’s big race, the SkyBet Chase
Odds against: Bookmakers attempt to work in the heavy rain and high winds at Cheltenham
In football, a thunderstorm delayed kick-off for an hour at the League Two encounter at Burton but it was worth the wait for Fleetwood whose 4-2 win lifted them into third.
Leaders Scunthorpe saw their advantage cut to a point after they threw away a three-goal lead at Dagenham & Redbridge and Chesterfield beat Northampton.
The Iron appeared to be coasting thanks to goals from Sam Winnall, Deon Burton and Paul Hayes but Abu Ogogo and Chris Dixon pulled two back only for a thunder storm to force the teams off with six minutes left.
After a 10-minute delay play resumed and debutant Luke Norris equalised in the 89th minute.
The Skrill Premier match between leaders Luton and Nuneaton was held up for 10 minutes after a storm prompted the players and match officials to run for cover and shelter in the dressing rooms.Luton ran out 3-0 winners.
Saturday’s horse racing at Doncaster and Cheltenham was also hit by the weather as trainers, jockeys, horses and bookies were lashed by wind and rain.