The weather jinx struck again as The New Saints’ showpiece Loosemores Cup final with Llanelli at Aberystwyth was left out in the cold.

Both sides arrived at the Park Avenue ground only to be met by a frozen surface despite lunchtime assurances from the Seasiders that the pitch would be fit.

After hopes of a thaw did not materialise, referee Brian James had little choice but to call off Saturday’s game 90 minutes before kick-off.

Thepostponement was a major blow to the Welsh Premier competition, as Wales boss Gary Speed due to be one of the guests, while the final was also being screened live on S4C. It is the first time the final has been played as early as January, a decision that backfired.

It is also the third time in the last two months that the two sides have been ready to play, only to see the weather intervene.

Llanelli twice travelled to the Oswestry to take on the Saints last December in the Welsh Premier, but both times the matches were called off due to fog.

And on Saturday, it was the recent frost that put paid to the league cup final at Aberystwyth, much to the disappointment of the two camps.

“We came up the night before, prepared properly and were desperate to play so it’s really disappointing,” said Saints boss Mike Davies.

“It’s become a bit of a running joke with Andy Legg (Llanelli manager) and myself now, but the ref was probably right with his decision as he could not guarantee the safety of the players.”

Referee James said it had been “a tough decision” but had no choice due to the condition of the pitch which was frozen in several places and unlikely to improve.

By JOHN BRIDGWATER