Hopes for a thaw to allow some club rugby to take place this weekend appear to be in vain with heavy frosts forecast for the end of this week, extending the enforced winter break to a month and a half of inaction.
Some clubs remain optimistic this weekend’s scheduled cup pool matches will go ahead, with Boroughmuir particularly confident that Meggetland will be playable for the visit of Stirling County in what is the pick of the second round of games.
County already boosted with their bonus-point victory over Peebles will clinch a quarter-final place if they win, having gone close on their league visit earlier this season.
Dundee HSFP were also hopeful that Mayfield would be taking a stud or more earlier this week as they seek to host Gala and clinch their place in the last eight after the opening win over Musselburgh.
However the forecast of -5C temperatures put the match in considerable doubt.
Kirkcaldy’s hosting of ambitious Premier Three leaders Whitecraigs at Beveridge Park is also doubtful.
Dunfermline have endured a pretty dismal league season but have come close to winning at North Inch, and will look to build on that against Perthshire at McKane Park although champions Ayr are clear favourites to qualify from Pool B.
Pool A saw Howe of Fife just fail to pull off the shock of the opening round against Aberdeen Grammar at Rubislaw, but come away from the match with a try and losing bonus point.
The snows came at the right time for Howe as they were slumping with three successive defeats and they will seek to regroup against Hamilton, who are holding on to second place in Premier Three and drew on their league visit to Duffus Park earlier in the campaign.
The ties scheduled to take place in the National Bowl featuring Midlands sides have already been postponed ahead of the weekend.
Matches this weekend:Premier Cup: Howe of Fife v Hamilton, Dunfermline v Perthshire, Dundee HSFP v Gala, Kelso v Morgan, Kirkcaldy v Whitecraigs, Boroughmuir v Stirling County.