FUMING Worcester Wolves could be forced to pull the plug on their hopes of playing in a major final.

Wolves were set for their National Trophy semi-final at City of Sheffield Arrows later this month but now face the prospect of having to forfeit the match because of the date.

The sides were due to meet at Sheffield's English Institute of Sport base on Sunday, February 20, with a 4pm tip-off.

However, Sheffield could not make that date and instead offered to bring the match forward a fortnight but with a 6.30pm tip-off, despite league rules stating Sunday tip-offs must be 2pm or 4pm.

That proved unacceptable to Wolves because the changed time meant they would not be able to play a full-strength team.

Now England Basketball want the game played on February 6, even if it means Wolves sending a second-string side.

And they could impose a fine of up to £500 on the University College Worcester outfit for failing to fulfil the fixture.

Wolves chiefs are furious as it effectively gives them no alternative but to concede and grant Sheffield, currently top of England Basketball League Division One, a bye to the final.

Club owner, Roger Clarke, said Sheffield-based England Basketball were in breach of their own rules by forcing Wolves to play on that date and claimed they had been cheeky to suggest sending a weakened side.

He said: "It makes a farce of the competition. As a club, we can't field our best squad.

"At the moment we have said we want to play it but that date is not suitable. We have said if they will not change the date we will have to concede the fixture."

Wolves are also angry at England Basketball's apparent flexibility on the rule book, considering they refused to allow Matt Collins to join Wolves immediately from Coventry Crusaders last month.

Clarke said: "They played it totally by the book (on the Collins case). We have always been a good club, we have a good track record and we have hosted a lot of things for the league."

An England Basketball official said: "It is an issue between the two clubs and we are not in a position to make a comment on it."