The entire Welsh Premiership Christmas programme has been called off amid a raft of club postponements following the ban on spectators attending matches.
Ebbw Vale’s televised meeting with Newport was the last of the fixtures scheduled for Monday (Dec 27) to bite the dust.
That follows the postponement of the other Premiership derbies - Cardiff v Pontypridd, Bridgend v Aberavon, Swansea v Llanelli and Carmarthen v Llandovery.
These are traditionally some of the most eagerly-awaited matches on the club scene and among the biggest money-spinners.
But with no fans allowed in through the gate due to new Covid restrictions, it has been decided to put the games off until a later date.
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Ebbw Vale chairman Jonathan Jones summed up the situation as he reflected on the postponement of the Eugene Cross Park clash with the Black & Ambers.
“Purely financially, it is not viable to play a game behind closed doors,” he said.
“The Boxing Day match is one of our biggest days of year.
“This game would have paid the wages of our players and staff for a month.
“It would have brought in close to five figures on the gate.
“S4C were going to screen the game, as well, which would have made us some more money.
“It is a huge blow financially and this game is also a big part of many of our members’ social lives. That should not be underestimated.
“We will try now and come up with a suitable new date.”
There seems a good chance that some, if not all, of the Premiership matches scheduled for January 3 will also be postponed.
Swansea have already confirmed their home fixture against Newport on that date is off and others seem likely to follow suit.
The statement from the All Whites read: “Due to the announcement made by the Welsh Government, we have no other choice but to postpone both our Llanelli and Newport games.
“We’ll keep you all updated as the situation progresses.
“Until then, stay safe and we’ll see you all soon.”
Bridgend also issued a statement.
It read: “We can confirm our scheduled Indigo Premiership match against Aberavon on Monday 27th December has been postponed.
“The decision has been made mutually between the clubs following the changing landscape of the public health situation relating to the Omicron variant of Coronavirus and the Welsh Government decision to force all sporting events in Wales to be played behind closed doors from 26th December.
“A new date for the fixture and for the Merthyr game, which was also postponed on Saturday, will be communicated in due course.”
In the pro game, the Boxing Day meeting between the Ospreys and the Dragons was postponed because of Covid cases in the home camp.
That leaves just Cardiff v Scarlets going ahead on the regional front, behind closed doors at the Arms Park.
There have also been a number of fixtures called off within the community game.
These include Tonyrefail v Gilfach Goch (Dec 26), Milford Haven v Neyland (Dec 26), Trebanos v Ystalyfera (Dec 28), Vardre’s centenary celebration against a West Wales XV (Dec 29) and Bridgend Athletic v Tondu (Jan 3), along with various charity matches.
Milford Haven committee member Alan McClelland commented: “Boxing Day is a big day for local derbies, with big crowds and big bar takings.
“The club is just flat now that we have had to postpone our game.
“Everyone was looking forward to it.
“But we just have to move on now.
“We will probably go for Easter Saturday instead.”
The Welsh Government have clarified that up to 50 spectators will be able to watch children’s and grassroots team sports in Wales under the new rules, which come into force on December 26.
But it’s unclear precisely how that will work and it remains to be seen just how many club rugby matches will go ahead over the coming weeks.
