Silk Cut Challenge Cup Final Will Go Ahead at Murrayfield on Saturday

The Silk Cut Challenge Cup Final will go ahead at Murrayfield on Saturday with a 2.45pm kick off. Officials have praised the work done by behind the scenes staff at Murrayfield at a press conference at the stadium at noon today. The Rhinos played their part in the congratulations when a specially commissioned gold leaf pennant which was due to be presented to dignitaries from the Scottish Rugby Union was actually presented by Rhinos captain Iestyn Harris to the Murrayfield Ground staff for all their hard work and dedication to get the Final played at the Rhinos walkabout at the stadium this morning. Torrential rain that turned the pitch into a boating lake and flooded the changing rooms had threatened to force the first postponement of the game's showpiece event in the competition's 103 years. But the water gradually drained from the pitch and hundreds of groundstaff, power workers and volunteers - including Royal Navy rugby league players - worked non-stop to clear silt and debris from the stadium and the match was given the go-ahead at a noon news conference. "This is a proud day for the sport," said Rugby Football League deputy chief executive Dave Callaghan. "It has been a great achievement for British sport for two codes to come together. "I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the flooding yesterday but everybody was determined that this great sporting spectacle would go ahead if at all possible." Scottish Rugby Union chief executive Bill Watson said: "I want to thank the efforts of all the staff and those from the emergency services and volunteers. "Their formidable commitment has transformed Murrayfield which 24 hours ago was a very soggy site." For further information contact: Phil Daly Media & PR Co-ordinator Tel: 0113 278 6181 ext. 246 Fax: 0113 230 2318 Mob: 07775 946 935