IT’S A case of ‘will the last person out turn off the lights’ at Liverpool St Helens in the month of February as astonishingly there will be no first or second XV games played at Moss Lane during that time.

The situation is compounded with the third XV currently scheduled to be at home just once in the month, on 16 February against Waterloo thirds.

The situation arises partly through the abandonment of games in January due to bad weather but more specifically through the vagaries of a system which did not schedule either the first XV or the second XV to play at Moss Lane in February in the first place.

It is hard to be critical of those who give of their time to organise and administrate any sport at this level, not just rugby, but the situation could have been mitigated by reasonable consideration of the needs of member clubs, particularly in the Bateman Premier League, which sets a new set of fixtures halfway through the season.

To have all their February fixtures on the road seems a bit harsh.

Interestingly, LSH officials and a number of other clubs are currently involved in lobbying for change to address the current David and Goliath encounters which predominate this division.

LSH first XV now face a vacant Saturday this week followed by scheduled visits to Anselmians (9th) and Kirkby Lonsdale (16th) with the rearranged fixture up at Vale of Lune on the 23rd.

As no games were played last Saturday, the entire block of fixtures has been transplanted to Saturday, March 16, when Rochdale will now visit Moss Lane.

With the prospect of just one senior team playing just one match at home, out of a possible 12, and no first or second team action, there is significant concern at the lack of potential income at the club.

President Ray French said: “I can normally see the funny side of everything but on this occasion I cannot.”