Central Bank of India and Central Railway went through the motions tenaciously before the bank side appealed to referee JP Singh to call off play.

Singh summoned match commissioner SS Shetty who then inspected the pitch. Shetty had no hesitation advising Singh to blow the long whistle. Shetty also ruled out play in the second match between defending champions Air-India and Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers as well. New dates will be provided by the Super Division League committee.

Shetty said: ``The bumpy surface caused by drying up of the slush after the recent wet spell can cause injury. Players stand to sustain serious injuries after landing on an uneven, hard surface after heading,'' he added.

Lumped earth bordering numerous ditches allover the pitch caused by footmarks have made playing a veritable nightmare. Referee Singh empathised with players who had little or no clue as to how the ball would turn after being played.

Rains are known to ravage the Cooperage ground, playing havoc with the pitch. To compound matters, the Western India Football Association (WIFA) have no heavy roller of their own, turning to the Public Works Department for help.

Had the heavy roller been used last evening, the pitch in all probability would have been playable reasoned Shetty. The WIFA Super Division committee, under pressure to complete the league before teams depart for All-India commitments, now have an unenviable task in winding up engagements before Oct 5 when Air-India are scheduled to travel for the Governor's Gold Cup in Sikkim.