Rugby League

[Guest worth_the_wait]

On 26/02/2024 at 09:27, worth_the_wait said:

Tasty looking tie in the Challenge Cup 5th round (last one before the 12 SL clubs come in):

Featherstone Rovers v Wakefield Trinity

 

Was like going back in time 30 years.   Hissing it down with rain, atrocious mud bath of a pitch.

Really good cup tie, mind. (apart from the result!)     10-0 at HT   10-10 at FT.   Featherstone won it with a try in "Golden Point" (extra) time.  

[Heathrow fox]

London Bronco’s finally get off the mark with a 34/18 win over Hull.

[Leeds Fox]

On 21/11/2023 at 10:18, CosbehFox said:

Magic weekend switched to Leeds from Newcastle. 
 

I get it because of schedule etc but pretty meh when considering location. Cardiff, Newcastle and Edinburgh are the only cities where it works really 

Really late to the party on this one, but I’m not sure how the cities you mentioned suit a Magic Weekend over Leeds (or Manchester if it was there).

 

90% of fans can get to Leeds in under an hour, Catalans and Broncos aside, Leeds is still closer with LBA and Manchester Airport, again under an hour away.

 

Newcastle for the atmosphere around the city, I’d agree. Location. Newcastle, Cardiff and Edinburgh aren’t the better ones for the fans.

 

Size wise, Leeds is over double the size of Cardiff and Newcastle… and still a fair size bigger than Edinburgh. It’s seen as a northern shit hole that doesn’t have the charm of Edinburgh or Newcastle, but it’s ideal for Magic Weekend. 

 

Edited 13 May 2024 by Leeds Fox

[CosbehFox]

32 minutes ago, Leeds Fox said:

Really late to the party on this one, but I’m not sure how the cities you mentioned suit a Magic Weekend over Leeds (or Manchester if it was there).

 

90% of fans can get to Leeds in under an hour, Catalans and Broncos aside, Leeds is still closer with LBA and Manchester Airport, again under an hour away.

 

Newcastle for the atmosphere around the city, I’d agree. Location. Newcastle, Cardiff and Edinburgh aren’t the better ones for the fans.

 

Size wise, Leeds is over double the size of Cardiff and Newcastle… and still a fair size bigger than Edinburgh. It’s seen as a northern shit hole that doesn’t have the charm of Edinburgh or Newcastle, but it’s ideal for Magic Weekend. 

 

Simply location of where the stadiums are rather than geographical location. 
 

Cardiff is bang in the middle of the city centre. Edinburgh not too far either - very easy tram ride of 10 minutes. That allows fans to go in and out of the stadium - jump in somewhere for a proper meal, back and forth to a hotel, proper pubs. Very easily. 
 

Leeds Elland Road is a good walk and decent journey. If the stadium was central, it would be the literal perfect host. 
 

Magic weekend works best when fans can move around freely really in my opinion. 

[Leeds Fox]

3 minutes ago, CosbehFox said:

Simply location of where the stadiums are rather than geographical location. 
 

Cardiff is bang in the middle of the city centre. Edinburgh not too far either - very easy tram ride of 10 minutes. That allows fans to go in and out of the stadium - jump in somewhere for a proper meal, back and forth to a hotel, proper pubs. Very easily. 
 

Leeds Elland Road is a good walk and decent journey. If the stadium was central, it would be the literal perfect host. 
 

Magic weekend works best when fans can move around freely really in my opinion. 

In that case, spot on!

 

Elland Road is a logistical nightmare for an event like MW and Headingley is nowhere near big enough.

 

Newcastle is ideal. St James is miles better than Elland Road too. 

Edited 13 May 2024 by Leeds Fox

[slymunn]

8 minutes ago, Leeds Fox said:

In that case, spot on!

 

Elland Road is a logistical nightmare for an event like MW and Headingley is nowhere near big enough.

 

Newcastle is ideal. St James is miles better than Elland Road too. 

Newcastle is so much better for the Magic Weekend for the ground location etc. 

Its bang in the city and you can leave/enter the stadium as you like. There isn't all that much about close to Elland Road, plus its nice to get out and feel like its a proper event away from the heartlands if that makes sense. Similar to the challenge cup final in London.

 

Even when they played Leeds Rhinos matches at Elland Road it just wasn't that great, apart from the bigger stadium.

[Leeds Fox]

43 minutes ago, slymunn said:

Newcastle is so much better for the Magic Weekend for the ground location etc. 

Its bang in the city and you can leave/enter the stadium as you like. There isn't all that much about close to Elland Road, plus its nice to get out and feel like its a proper event away from the heartlands if that makes sense. Similar to the challenge cup final in London.

 

Even when they played Leeds Rhinos matches at Elland Road it just wasn't that great, apart from the bigger stadium.

Agreed! St James has probably the best (or at least one of) locations for a stadium. 

[Guest worth_the_wait]

More importantly ...

 

Wakey going to Wembley for the first time since 1979 ... albeit the "secondary" 1895 Cup.   But who cares; a cup's a cup!   

[Guest worth_the_wait]

Poor old Whitehaven are in a right financial mess at the moment.

 

Wakefield Trinity are selling £10 match tickets for this Sunday's game v Whitehaven, and giving the money to their visitors.     A nice gesture.

 

Alternatively, if you fancy slinging them a few spare £'s, there's a Go Fund Me page listed on  https://whitehavenrl.co.uk/  

 

https://gofund.me/03c07c8d

 

[Guest worth_the_wait]

Humdinger of a playoff match on BBC2 last night.   Warrington beat St Helens 23-22 with "golden score" point.

[CosbehFox]

NRL Grand Final on Sunday morning worth a watch 

[Heathrow fox]

Some positive sounds from the London Bronco’s.They aim to carry on and not only that but continue to use Plough Lane.Bouyed by an expected boost to their grading score it seems.Still a very precarious few months ahead and outside investment is required as a matter of urgency.Most fans were expecting the club to be gone before the clocks go back.

[slymunn]

On 14/10/2024 at 00:10, Heathrow fox said:

Some positive sounds from the London Bronco’s.They aim to carry on and not only that but continue to use Plough Lane.Bouyed by an expected boost to their grading score it seems.Still a very precarious few months ahead and outside investment is required as a matter of urgency.Most fans were expecting the club to be gone before the clocks go back.

Hopefully get can get the funding to keep going. Its around a million isn't' it?  Hopefully they don't lose too many more players from the SL team...although it would help Fev after the worst season in a long time! 

 

Goole Vikings have being accepted as the new team into the league one from next season. They have signed a few with Doncaster and Hull FC links, so look fairly competitive already. With working in Goole I'll be keeping an eye on them.

[Lionator]

19 hours ago, slymunn said:

Hopefully get can get the funding to keep going. Its around a million isn't' it?  Hopefully they don't lose too many more players from the SL team...although it would help Fev after the worst season in a long time! 

 

Goole Vikings have being accepted as the new team into the league one from next season. They have signed a few with Doncaster and Hull FC links, so look fairly competitive already. With working in Goole I'll be keeping an eye on them.

Where will they play? Is there a stadium ready in Goole?

[CosbehFox]

2 hours ago, Lionator said:

Where will they play? Is there a stadium ready in Goole?

Yeah where the football plays - the Victoria Grounds 

[Heathrow fox]

On 18/10/2024 at 15:18, slymunn said:

Hopefully get can get the funding to keep going. Its around a million isn't' it?  Hopefully they don't lose too many more players from the SL team...although it would help Fev after the worst season in a long time! 

 

Goole Vikings have being accepted as the new team into the league one from next season. They have signed a few with Doncaster and Hull FC links, so look fairly competitive already. With working in Goole I'll be keeping an eye on them.

The Championship has looked incredibly competitive this season.It’s a shame that York couldn’t make the final.I think I’ll start following them if London go off the cliff

 

LB need.to raise £350000 before Xmas to put a squad together.Followed by an extra £650000 to get them through the season and hire Plough Lane.The handful of posters on their fans forum

(Who make Foxes Talk seem like a bastion of positivity btw)Think this is pie in the sky stuff.

 

The really good news is that Eccles is staying despite of all the off field stuff that’s gone on.The players gave their all last season.They look like a united happy camp.Up there with the PL 15/16 squad.In return for their efforts they have been rewarded with good moves and/or retirement knowing they got to play in the SLWell deserved 

The one’s who have committed themselves (Not signed) to next season are the one’s who are happy to play PT.Lewis Bienek who could easily do a job in SL has said he’ll hang up his boots if there is no club to play for.He’s got a decent day job that he enjoys.

I’m glad Goole have entered.Did read that Bedford are trying to get something together.They have a ladies team.The area is a bit of a rugby hotbed

 

 

 

[CosbehFox]

There was an available place in L1. Goole, Bedford and a team from East Anglia went for it. Goole got it - there's been some mumblings that Bedford might buy Cornwall's licence. 

[slymunn]

23 hours ago, CosbehFox said:

Yeah where the football plays - the Victoria Grounds 

It's having some work done is the stadium. They got around 2 million in grants to fund it. 

[slymunn]

1 hour ago, Heathrow fox said:

The Championship has looked incredibly competitive this season.It’s a shame that York couldn’t make the final.I think I’ll start following them if London go off the cliff

 

LB need.to raise £350000 before Xmas to put a squad together.Followed by an extra £650000 to get them through the season and hire Plough Lane.The handful of posters on their fans forum

(Who make Foxes Talk seem like a bastion of positivity btw)Think this is pie in the sky stuff.

 

The really good news is that Eccles is staying despite of all the off field stuff that’s gone on.The players gave their all last season.They look like a united happy camp.Up there with the PL 15/16 squad.In return for their efforts they have been rewarded with good moves and/or retirement knowing they got to play in the SLWell deserved 

The one’s who have committed themselves (Not signed) to next season are the one’s who are happy to play PT.Lewis Bienek who could easily do a job in SL has said he’ll hang up his boots if there is no club to play for.He’s got a decent day job that he enjoys.

I’m glad Goole have entered.Did read that Bedford are trying to get something together.They have a ladies team.The area is a bit of a rugby hotbed

 

 

 

They just don't like to change too many teams at once, unless they have money (or say they have!) Fev halved the players budget this season because of IMG pretty much saying Wakey are going up regardless of the league, so they cut cloth.

 

Bienek I'm sure would be able to move back up north as he had a few years playing at Hull didn't he?

 

Sounds like the LB forum would give Fevs a run for the money. Still bitter about the forced relegation in the 90s 😂

[CosbehFox]

7 minutes ago, slymunn said:

They just don't like to change too many teams at once, unless they have money (or say they have!) Fev halved the players budget this season because of IMG pretty much saying Wakey are going up regardless of the league, so they cut cloth.

 

Bienek I'm sure would be able to move back up north as he had a few years playing at Hull didn't he?

 

Sounds like the LB forum would give Fevs a run for the money. Still bitter about the forced relegation in the 90s 😂

Bienek had an interview where he pretty much said his full time IT job means he would remain in London regardless. Sounds very well

paid 

[slymunn]

1 hour ago, CosbehFox said:

Bienek had an interview where he pretty much said his full time IT job means he would remain in London regardless. Sounds very well

paid 

That makes sense. There's a lot of players that leave/retire or go semi pro because of the jobs that they have.

[Guest worth_the_wait]

Couple of highlights from last night's Championship Grand Final (Wakefield v Toulouse) ...

 

Max Jowitt becoming the first player in British history (and possible also the world), to get 500 points in a single season.    Amazing.

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/articles/cqjr5lvxk4lo
 

Then right at the end, Jermaine McGillvary, with just about the last thing of his career, scores a try right in the corner ... then just wacks the ball over the posts for a conversion.   Great stuff!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BKLFox]

That’s a bit of a powder keg Haka that Samoa have just done 

[Guest worth_the_wait]

3 hours ago, BKLFox said:

That’s a bit of a powder keg Haka that Samoa have just done 

Saturday's game should be nice and tasty after that rumble late in the match!

[CosbehFox]

Some good news overnight - it looks like the Aussies might becoming over next winter for a test series. 

 

This is a huge chance for RFL - don't play games at Wigan etc. Get a London stadium booked and pick a couple of bigger grounds in the North.