HALIFAX PANTHERS’ pre-season game against Rochdale Hornets on Sunday has been postponed – meaning James Saltonstall’s testimonial match has fallen through for a second time.

The tie won’t go ahead due to a frozen pitch at The Shay, following Saturday’s postponement of the only other scheduled pre-season affair of the weekend between Barrow Raiders and Workington Town.

It’s especially bad luck for Saltonstall, the Halifax stalwart who retired at the end of last season after 254 appearances in blue and white, during which he scored 114 tries.

The 32-year-old was meant to be honoured at the beginning of his testimonial year of 2025 with a match against Warrington Wolves, whose academy he came through, only for heavy snow to wreck the plans.

Twelve months on, and despite significant improvements to the pitch at The Shay in the meantime, history has repeated itself.

The Rochdale game will not be rescheduled, with refunds to be made available, although a testimonial dining event at the ground hosted by Saltonstall will go ahead as planned.

Halifax supporters have also been denied the chance to see Saltonstall’s former team-mates Steve Tyrer, Scott Murrell and Ben Johnston play for a final time.

“Following an inspection of the playing surface, and with temperatures remaining at or around freezing, the pitch was assessed as unsafe for play,” the Panthers said in a statement.

“We recognise the disappointment this will cause – particularly given the significance of the occasion in celebrating the outstanding service of James – but the decision has been taken in the best interests of everyone involved.”

While Rochdale have another pre-season game, at Goole Vikings next Sunday (January 11), Halifax won’t be back in action until opening their Championship campaign away to Doncaster on Sunday, January 18.