FOR the second consecutive week the fixture list for all local sport has been decimated by the elements.
As the legions of Jack Frost gathered to wreak havoc up and down the land, no ball was booted, no pass was delivered, no match was contested and no whistles were blown as the still and cold December air was left untouched by the discordant cries of celebration and defeat.
Points remained on the shelf, gathering dust and unawarded, strips were left spotless and mud free, goalmouths and try posts remained unsullied and untroubled, and sporting achievements were left uncrowned and formless as the icy might of the snow queen held sway.
Throughout the area, both coaches and players alike were heard in their despondency to dramatically intone, "Now is the winter of our discontent."
Just how long the big freeze will last is anybody's guess, but fingers crossed for next weekend, or the chronicle predicts the unlikely strains of the Bolero will be echoing around the surrounding mountains as figure skating takes off in a big way.