THE impact of the coronavirus outbreak on sport continued to be felt in Redditch this week as the rugby season was ended - while cricket and football clubs remain in limbo.

Redditch United Football Club were awaiting an announcement from the Southern League as to how the season would proceed, if at all.

The Reds sit bottom of the Southern Premier Central and look doomed to relegation but must await a league decree as to whether they will be demoted should the season end prematurely.

The Redditch and South Warwickshire Combination League has also been postponed until April 4.

Redditch Rugby Club also faces a period of uncertainty after the rugby season was ended with them sitting second in Midlands Five.

The Rugby Football Union has said it will provide an update on promotion and relegation scenarios next month.

An RFU statement said: “We are working through the implications of ending the season early and have instigated a thorough process to ensure fair and balanced outcomes for the game. “We will communicate these outcomes by the middle of April. While we would like to provide all the answers now, we need some time to get it right for the best interests of the game.

“Rest assured we are working on this as a priority and we will continue to send weekly updates to clubs.”

On the cricket front, Redditch and Astwood Bank have learned that the start of the Worcestershire League season has been postponed indefinitely.

Redditch were set to visit Bewdley on the opening day of the Premier Division season on April 18 with Astwood Bank scheduled to travel to Bromyard.

But a league statement said: “We can confirm the start of the 2020 season will be postponed until further notice. Given the fast-moving, unprecedented situation we as a nation find ourselves in, we cannot specify a start date but remain hopeful of being able to play some cricket.”