Confusion over rescheduling has again returned to haunt Willow Cuts.

It was only last season that Cuts' chances of survival in the Premier Division suffered a crushing blow when they had several matches postponed and never rescheduled.

This time they find themselves at the other end of the ladder with a slim chance of securing promotion back to the Premier Division.

Cuts are the only First Division side who can overhaul second-placed Devonshire Rec. for the final automatic promotion spot, with Devonshire currently lying on 119 points but having completed their league campaign.

Cuts, on the other hand, remain 22 points adrift on 97 but still have two matches outstanding.

However, with Saturday's latest postponement against Social Club, the west end side now face a frantic scramble to have that match rescheduled.

Devonshire Rec field, Saturday's scheduled venue, was closed out of respect for the late Cory Smith, a club player recently killed in a traffic accident.

But according to one Cuts' official everyone else knew of the cancellation but his players who arrived at the ground only to find out that the match would not be taking place.

With the 2002/03 soccer season fast approaching, time is running out for the game to be played as local field operators are expected to close their venues in preparation for the winter months.

Cuts are scheduled to meet PHC this Saturday at Somerset Cricket Club.

"They closed the field down out of respect for their former player, but nobody told us," said the Cuts official, who wished to remain anonymous.

"Social Club didn't show up so obviously they knew and no umpires showed up."

Cuts can still take 32 points from their remaining matches and only require 22 to overhaul Devonshire.

Just last Sunday, Devonshire crushed Cuts by nine wickets in a First Division KO Cup match, which had also been rescheduled.

"I know that we can't play this weekend because Social Club play in the KO Cup. So hopefully we can get maximum points against PHC. But we are definitely going to play the match against Social Club, there's no doubt about it," said Cuts player Dexter Basden.

"It's no fault of ours and I can't see why we should be penalised. I know that they (BCBC) give six points for a game that's not played, but that's only for matches where the wicket has not been prepared."

Ironically, Cuts' match against Social Club was previously called off because the pitch at St. John's Field wasn't prepared.

Earlier this summer, BCBC officials publicly stated that no matches would be rescheduled.

Southampton Rangers were recently awarded six points after their match against Flatts failed to get underway because the pitch at Sea Breeze Oval was not fit for play.