NEWCASTLE Falcons were left angry and frustrated after their round six Amlin Challenge Cup match at Bourgoin was postponed.

The tie was initially called off on Saturday after referee Neil Patterson deemed the pitch unplayable after a strong frost hit South West France, with a view to playing the game at 2pm yesterday, subject to another inspection.

But when officials from both clubs met at the Stade Pierre Rajon early yesterday morning, the tie was postponed with the pitch still frosted over.

The situation has incensed the Falcons, as the ground had no frost covers on the pitch when players and staff visited on Saturday.

An angry Falcons’ chairman Dave Thompson said: “It is just been a complete shambles.

Bourgoin have done nothing to protect the pitch, and it has cost us time and money to bring the squad all the way over here.

“That is before you even start thinking about the supporters who have made the commitment to travel.”

Leeds Carnegie rounded off their Amlin Challenge Cup campaign with a 26-6 victory against European minnows Bucharest at Headingley.

French heavyweights Stade Francais had already wrapped up qualification from Pool 4 into the knockout stages but Leeds finished as runners-up with four victories to their name.

Stade Francais beat Crociati Rugby 34-17 to become the highest-ranked team in the quarter-final draw.