THE ‘Beast from the East’ weather front and Storm Emma put paid to most of the weekend’s sport in Devon and Cornwall.

The worst of the weather arrived on Thursday, with several hours of snow hitting West Devon and East Cornwall in the early afternoon. As temperatures stayed low throughout the weekend, matches were called off across the region for concerns over both the condition of playing surfaces and the safety of travelling teams and supporters.

All of the weekend’s league and cup football matches in the South West Peninsula League —including Tavistock AFC and Callington Town — were called off to be rescheduled, as were matches in the Devon and Exeter Football League, which includes Okehampton Argyle’s visit to Newton St Cyres.

It was not just the snow that proved a problem for Tavistock Football Club. The high winds did major damage to the two dug outs at Langsford Park, with one dug out blowing completely over while the other suffered damage to perspex panelling. The club put out a social media campaign earlier this week appealing for volunteers to help repair and replace the dug outs before Tavistock’s game with Plymouth Parkway, scheduled to be played last night (Wednesday).

With wet weather having disrupted a number of football fixtures already this season, many teams will be playing catch-up to fulfil their fixture lists as the end of the season approaches.

Football was not the only sport affected. Tavistock Hockey Club’s men and women’s first teams succumbed to the snow, as did the seconds and men’s thirds. Rugby could not overcome the extreme weather either, with Okehampton Rugby Club’s home game against North Petherton being called off.

For most clubs, this week should see a return to normal sporting action.