NRC

[gazza77]

I'd love for us to win the NRC, as to me it is one of only two competitions we stand a chance of winning. It would bring some revenue and positive publicity to the club, and might encourage a few more speccies through the gates to watch a "cup winning" team. Plus, it is the all important "tick in the box" for Super League, not that personally I think we would stand a chance for entry in 2012 anyway.

Reading other comments on here though, other people just view it as a mickey mouse competition that we shouldn't worry about. What do you think, and why?

[Leyther_Matt]

Similar questions are being asked on our forum, but to me the fact that people still rate our win against Hull KR in the final in 2006 as one of their best Leigh-related memories of recent years speaks volumes to me.

[Mick H]

I think it's held too early in the season for anyone to be able to take it seriously, its all about who is in form in time as every game is speradic and it doesn't settle down untill the final stages. Any cup is welcome and i know ive called it a mickey mouse cup myself but it's more to deflect the dissapointment of us not having a hope of winning it this year.

I'd certainly enjoy a weekend in Blackpool for the final!

[Griff]

A couple of years ago, the big problem was that it was too easy to qualify. We've been through with four points out of twelve, which means that it's easy to coast through if you want. Once you were in the last sixteen, it was a free draw, so it didn't matter whether you finished first or third.

It's different now. You need to finish fourth (or better) out of ten, so you're looking at eight or nine points being the cut-off point and you can't take it easy. I definitely think it's worth winning - as said above, it's a box ticked as well as being a competition that half a dozen clubs could win - given a bit of luck along the way.

[LOWFIELD]

Trust me if Rovers get to Blackpool we would take a good few thousand fans, there would be trips from all over the place, it would be rocking it would put Rovers well and truely on the map locally. I reckon it would be more appealing to people than the grand final and look how many we took to Headingley

[Bob Crowther]

Be it the NRC or Wakefield and District cup, as dedicated supporters ,all we ask is for 100% commitment from the team and 100% commitment to the shirt.

[GAZ1983]

Be it the NRC or Wakefield and District cup, as dedicated supporters ,all we ask is for 100% commitment from the team and 100% commitment to the shirt.

WHICH WAS SADLY LACKING AT LIEGH.................... -_-

[barrowtilidie]

Wouldnt it be better as a straight knock out? As the little teams ( chamionship 1) get stuffed, and that isnt a good thing for the players?

[haven4ever]

neeeds to go back to the old format

last year widnes won 2 games in thier pool and went on to win it donny won 3 in their pool and didnt qualify, not playing the same teams home and away makes it very unfair depending on which teams your playing

either make it a knock out comp or the old format 4 teams and 6 games each team home and away

[elppaxr2i]

Interesting points from other forum members from other clubs, but would this thread be even here if we had beaten Leigh?

[Phil Loxton]

Wouldnt it be better as a straight knock out? As the little teams ( chamionship 1) get stuffed, and that isnt a good thing for the players?

Yeah but the team that were heading for championship one a few weeks ago before their reprieve actually stuffed Fev. But I agree whatever format it takes on we need to take this trophy seriously. It only becomes a mickey mouse cup when you have been beaten so it seems.

[Griff]

neeeds to go back to the old format

last year widnes won 2 games in thier pool and went on to win it donny won 3 in their pool and didnt qualify, not playing the same teams home and away makes it very unfair depending on which teams your playing

either make it a knock out comp or the old format 4 teams and 6 games each team home and away

What!??!!!

So teams can scrape through winning two out of six ?

That would be progress, wouldn't it ?

This format's by no means perfect, but at least you need to get more than half the points available.

[Pride & Heritage]

What!??!!!

So teams can scrape through winning two out of six ?

That would be progress, wouldn't it ?

This format's by no means perfect, but at least you need to get more than half the points available.

I agree with Haven4ever, it looks like we (Batley) have all but qualified and I still think it is a ###### competition. Don't get me wrong I'd rather be in it than not, but like all supporters, it's only because I want to see my team win. The other problem is, it is too dis-jointed a few games at the start of the season that some coaches use as friendlies, and then a few more games seemingly at random during the season, and then the final is played in mid season, it is hardly the big crescendo or finale show piece they make it out to be on Sky. Why not play the Final as a curtain raiser to the Challenge Cup? It would pretty much guarantee selling more tickets for the Final and packing Wembley out, and for the players in the lower divisions, it would add a bit of spice by giving them a chance to play at Wembley in front of a huge crowd, then it would mean something.

[Chris Taylor]

I agree with Haven4ever, it looks like we (Batley) have all but qualified and I still think it is a ###### competition. Don't get me wrong I'd rather be in it than not, but like all supporters, it's only because I want to see my team win. The other problem is, it is too dis-jointed a few games at the start of the season that some coaches use as friendlies, and then a few more games seemingly at random during the season, and then the final is played in mid season, it is hardly the big crescendo or finale show piece they make it out to be on Sky. Why not play the Final as a curtain raiser to the Challenge Cup? It would pretty much guarantee selling more tickets for the Final and packing Wembley out, and for the players in the lower divisions, it would add a bit of spice by giving them a chance to play at Wembley in front of a huge crowd, then it would mean something.

Like they did for the Silk Cut Plate in 97'? Good idea, enjoyed that match.

[jt]

I can not see why certain people dont think this cup is worth anything. Firstly it ticks a box for SL and it is one of two cups that clubs in the lower leagues have a chance of winning.

More importantly it is a way for the club to get extra income in and i would love to go to a final again with Featherstone Rovers .

It was a great day out at Headingley and great to see the club win something. I would love to see Featherstone run out at Blackpool in this cup and believe it would probably be a better day/Weekend than that of the final at the end of the season.

[Griff]

I agree with Haven4ever, it looks like we (Batley) have all but qualified and I still think it is a ###### competition. Don't get me wrong I'd rather be in it than not, but like all supporters, it's only because I want to see my team win. The other problem is, it is too dis-jointed a few games at the start of the season that some coaches use as friendlies, and then a few more games seemingly at random during the season, and then the final is played in mid season, it is hardly the big crescendo or finale show piece they make it out to be on Sky. Why not play the Final as a curtain raiser to the Challenge Cup? It would pretty much guarantee selling more tickets for the Final and packing Wembley out, and for the players in the lower divisions, it would add a bit of spice by giving them a chance to play at Wembley in front of a huge crowd, then it would mean something.

Well, firstly, the thrust of my post was to counter the suggestion that we should return to six groups of three or four, where you could qualify by being third in a group of three.

Secondly, the group phase is specifically to guarantee clubs two more home games. And that is the key point.

Thirdly, we had the group phase after half a dozen or so league games one year and everyone said how ###### that was. Two months - or even one - is too long a break in the league programme.

Fourthly, the fact that the Plate experiment was never repeated means you won't be going to Wembley for this final.

Fifthly, if the final isn't to be in July, when are you going to have it ? Middle of the play-off series? Just as the league's coming to a climax ? No - the fact is, there's nowhere else.

[Heppy]

Wouldnt it be better as a straight knock out? As the little teams ( chamionship 1) get stuffed, and that isnt a good thing for the players?

YORK V LEIGH!

[Griff]

Wouldnt it be better as a straight knock out? As the little teams ( chamionship 1) get stuffed, and that isnt a good thing for the players?

Then you've just got to sort out the two extra guaranteed home games. What's your plan ?

[Steve Slater]

No-one has mentioned revenue! We had some big crowds in the two seasons when Cas were scumming it with us, but under the present format we would only play them once instead of twice. Local derbies are what keeps the game going, so let's have more of them! I know we don't have a close rival at present, but other clubs do, and you never know....after the next round of franchises????? Well, I can dream can't I?

[DMS]

I don't think it matters which competition we are in we should be trying to win every competitive game we play. The NRC is a cup to be won and we should be trying to win it, whether we agree with the format or not.What is the point of even entering if we are not going to treat it seriously? I'm damn sure DP would like to win it. I'm personally gutted that it looks like, barring a miracle we are out. I not gonna go into a rant about it being the end of the world or we are facing a relegation battle cos i don't think it is. But, i would have loved a weekend in Blackpool to watch the lads and i'll be envious of the fans who get to watch their team in action.

[Steve Slater]

One of the biggest farces in a competition that is deemed so important it can qualify a club for a SL franchise application, is the unequal fixture allocation where you can get edged out of your group by a club you haven't even played.

I believe there could also be ruptions when Rovers play Hunslet. If they have no chance of qualification they are unlikely to play their strongest team, thus giving Hunslet a path into the next round at the expense of one of our rivals for a franchise application.

[Griff]

Bottom line is that this format is specifically to give clubs two extra home fixtures to make up the season ticket total to twelve.

However, it hasn't captured the public imagination, the group games are played in ###### weather, attendances are poor, the season staggers to a start and, bearing in mind that you have to finance the two away games, you have to wonder whether we wouldn't be better off just starting in March, because few clubs will be making a profit on these games.

[sidnee]

Bottom line is that this format is specifically to give clubs two extra home fixtures to make up the season ticket total to twelve.

However, it hasn't captured the public imagination, the group games are played in ###### weather, attendances are poor, the season staggers to a start and, bearing in mind that you have to finance the two away games, you have to wonder whether we wouldn't be better off just starting in March, because few clubs will be making a profit on these games.

For once Griff, I agree with you

[Griff]

Thank you, sidnee. Much appreciated.

Having said all that, I think there's a place for a non-Superleague Cup. But straight knock-out. Wouldn't take up that much space in the fixture calendar.

[jamescolin]

Thank you, sidnee. Much appreciated.

Having said all that, I think there's a place for a non-Superleague Cup. But straight knock-out. Wouldn't take up that much space in the fixture calendar.

That would be better and it could still be the Northern Rail Cup with the attendant better publicity. If the final could be played at Wembley before the big game so much the better. More income, more publicity and the fans woul;d rally to such a competition.