The greatly anticipated quarter-final clash in the Middlesex Cup between the Harlequins Amateurs and London Nigerians ended in anti-climax on Sunday when the game was postponed following the non-arrival of any match officials, writes DM Kirk-Sargeant.

Confusion surrounds the reason why the referee and touch judges did not appear and the fate of the tie now rests in the hands of the Middlesex RFU. The issue of whether the error was on the part of the Referees Society or the home team, London Nigerians, and a final ruling on the game, will be discussed at the next meeting of the Middlesex Cup competition committee.

Amateurs manager, Chris Kelly, spoke of his side's disappointment at the no-show.

He said: "It was a huge disappointment and anticlimax for all the team, who were totally psyched up for the game.

"It would have been nice to have played and we may still get the chance. We wouldn't be comfortable winning by default.

"Coach Geoff Ashby and I were not happy with the situation and neither were the players. It was a waste of a Sunday due to very poor organisation."

The likely solution to the problem will be a rescheduled match on Sunday March 3rd, with the venue possibly being reversed to give Harlequins the home advantage. The winner of the tie will go on to meet Twickenham in the semi-finals.