The KNCB has ruled that the abandoned Topklasse match between VOC Rotterdam and Quick Haag – which could have a crucial effect on who plays the best-of-three promotion/relegation series against Hoofdklasse champions Dosti Amsterdam – must be replayed.

The match was scheduled to take place on 8 August, but did not take place after heavy rain in the preceding 24 hours left the square waterlogged. Although the VOC ground staff worked hard all day and there were frequent inspections, the game was eventually called off shortly before five o’clock.

Under section 2.2 of the competition rules, a rearranged fixture can be ordered if the home team does not make a suitable ground available, and this can include cases where the pitch and/or ground have not been ‘covered adequately and in due time’.

In the case of the match at Hazelaarweg, VOC contends that they met their obligations in this regard, and that it was due to the extreme conditions of heavy rain and wind that parts of the square became soaked. It is understood that the umpires took the view that a 20-over match would be possible, but the home club had the additional concern that they are due to host two Clydesdale bank 40 League matches on 22 and 26 August.

‘ We have clear obligations to the KNCB with regard to those matches,’ VOC chairman Lau van Everdingen said on Thursday, ‘and we had no doubt that even a 20-over match would have caused serious damage to the square.’

Whether the rescheduled match will ever take place depends on a number of factors, not least the results of this week’s Topklasse games. Quick Haag are currently two points behind VOC with a greatly inferior net run rate, and the match between them would become irrelevant unless VOC lose to ACC on Saturday and Quick beat Rood en Wit.

But Van Everdingen confirmed that if the results were to fall out that way, VOC will then lodge an appeal against the decision to order a reply, arguing that they were not in breach of section 2.2 and that the No result should stand.

Meanwhile, in a separate decision the KNCB has ruled that in the case of the match between Excelsior ’20 and VRA Amsterdam, which was also abandoned on 8 August without a ball being bowled, the home club did not violate section 2.2 and the game should be recorded as a No result.