This weekend's local football and rugby union programmes look set to be hit hard by the cold snap.

Only a handful of fixtures were called off on Friday – but following another night of sub-zero temperatures many more are expected to fall by the wayside on Saturday.

One of the first games to go was King's Lynn's scheduled home match with Cogenhoe in the United Counties League. Officials took an early look at the frozen playing surface at the Walks and decided there was no way it would be playable.

In the Ridgeons League Premier Division only two matches – Great Yarmouth v Newmarket at the Wellesley and Dereham Town v Haverhill at Aldiss Park – went on Friday but morning pitch inspections are planned at virtually every other game and with another bitterly cold day forecast the prospects of play at many grounds do not look good.

'Because no-one has too far to travel in this league most clubs can afford to wait until the morning,' explained Ridgeons League fixture secretary David Mayes. 'It's just a case of keeping our fingers crossed but the good news is that we have been lucky with the weather so far and there are plenty of free dates later in the season.'

Three Anglian Combination fixtures on council pitches were called off early – Thorpe Village v Sprowston Wanderers (Division Two), UEA v Marlingford (Division Three) and St Andrews Reserves v Wymondham Town Reserves (CS Morley Cup) – with many more expected to follow.

The advice to all players and officials involved in matches at the weekend is to check whether their fixture is on before travelling.

Rugby Union is also expected to be badly hit.

The London 1N fixture at Mackenders between Diss and Chingford was called off after an early pitch inspection. The lunch for 190 people will go ahead as planned, with television coverage of the Six Nations Championship providing the entertainment.

North Walsham's home match with Letchworth Garden City in the same division is the subject of a morning pitch inspection, with the prospects of play hinging on the overnight temperatures.

The other game definitely off is the clash between the top two in London 3NE, with hosts Harlow postponing their fixture with leaders Holt.

Campion called off their fixture with Norwich last night. Sudbury v Wymondham is subject to an inspection.

In Division 2NE it's a similar story, with the games between Canvey Island and Lowestoft and Yarmouth and Romford and Gidea Park and Beccles hinging on morning inspections.

All the rugby fixtures off today will be rescheduled for next Saturday, when then there was due to have been a break from league action.