A Welsh rugby cup semi-final has been decided by the toss of a coin amid an ‘impossible’ fixture situation.
Brecon and Beddau were drawn together for a Mid District Cup last-four tie.
But fixture congestion meant that no mutually suitable date could be found to play the game.
The result was a toin coss to see who should progress, with Brecon winning to take their place in the final.
“It’s late in the season and there were no dates for the two sides to agree on before the final,” said Brecon secretary Geoff Evans.
“There wasn’t enough time. The season has been extended twice by the WRU already and there are no further extensions.
“In order to get the final playable, there had to be a resolution to the semi-final.
“We weren’t available when Beddau were available and vice versa, so it was decided the toss of a coin was the only suitable solution.”
The episode was branded ‘madness’ by one social media user, with someone else calling it ‘crazy’.
Welsh rugby's great fixture logjam was highlighted on last week's bank holiday weekend, with scores of games called off amid a prediction that some matches would simply not be played.
Beddau had reached the Mid-District Cup semi-final with a 33-0 win over Porth Harlequins. Their cup run ended there for them, though.
They and Brecon have league games still to play, with Brecon looking to secure promotion from Division One East to the Admiral National Championship.
“There’s not a lot that could be done about the situation at this late stage in the season, short of actually delaying the final until next season,” said Geoff Evans.
“You can’t find a date if there isn’t a date. You just have to accept the alternative.
“It isn’t the best solution in the world, and it’s not one we’d normally want to see, but we still have games left to play. It’s the first week in May and we have four games left. To add another game into the mix is just impossible.
“The poor weather and not playing enough during the Six Nations and autumn internationals hasn’t helped. I think the WRU want to encourage people to go to the Principality Stadium to watch Wales play.
“It is what it is and this game between ourselves and Beddau couldn’t happen.
“We’ve been incredibly busy over the last few weeks. We’re still in a promotion fight to get into the Championship for next season, so the cup isn’t something at the top of our agenda at this point as it’s a few weeks away.”
Ystrad Rhondda and Bargoed contest the other semi-final.
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