33 replies to this topic

[Sir Jekyll Stocking]

I'd love to know how they work out those games. Like having to go to Gateshead and Whitehaven last season.

"...work out those games..."
Are you suggesting they actually put some thought into chosing the fixtures, Chairman?

[Ackroman]

So did we, funnily enough, two years earlier ... long time ago, different competition. I think it's fair to say the NRC is harder to win than the Trans Pennine Cup was. Last year we had to beat teams like Sheffield, Leigh and Widnes to win it. Three of the better teams in the division. And it was hard to do. Still, I think Rams fans should feel free to mock that achievement if they choose to do so. Doesn't half sound like "well, it's a rubbish Cup cos we can't win it, though".

If Dewsbury take the approach their supporters do to winning the NRC, they'll never win it, trust me. Please feel free to come back and correct me when you have won it, though. I will be ready to eat humble pie.

Dewsbury beat Leigh in the final how is that any less of an achievement?

And the fact that the format for the trophy has changed a number of times......and the sponsors....it is essentially the same competition.

I agree Dewsbury can't win the competition in 2010. And when the format changes again in the future, you will have a right to say that Batley won the NRC (based on the 2010 format) and it can never be repeated and you will be right.

[STEVE P]

If you'd experienced the day and emotion we had in Blackpool, you really wouldn't be making sour-grapes statements like those.

You're probably right. When you're at our end of the game winning anything has to be a great event. Like when we clinched the Championship 2 Division at Keighley the season before last. No great shakes to most supporters, but as good as Wembley if you're on the winning side.
Its amazing how much your respect for a competition increases when you actually win it.

[RPH]

You're probably right. When you're at our end of the game winning anything has to be a great event. Like when we clinched the Championship 2 Division at Keighley the season before last. No great shakes to most supporters, but as good as Wembley if you're on the winning side.
Its amazing how much your respect for a competition increases when you actually win it.

"Championship 2 Division or CC1 whatever you wish to call it,
yes you are correct, the value increases when you win a competition,
but thats one Championship that I dont really wish to win, unless of course,
we become as bad as Dewsbury were, and get relegated to it.

Edited by RPH, 21 January 2011 - 09:32 AM.

[bulldogtrev]

He may not have won the trophy but Dewsbury won the Trans Penine Cup in 2000, the fore runner to the Northern Rail Cup. It might not have been in Blackpool or on the TV but you are wrong.

One hell of a prediction as well.

The Trans-Pennine Cup in 2000 was a playoff between the top placed Yorkshire and Lancashire sides in the league which was a totally different competition from the NR Cup which started in 2002.
The NR Cup was introduced in 2002 after the the split in the league and the creation of the current league format so Championship teams(10 teams in 2002) would have more than 9 home games.

[Blind side johnny]

For example, are games against Toulouse (A), Keighley (H), Doncaster (A) and Barrow (H) equivalent to games against Leigh (H), Hunslet (A), Gateshead (H) and Halifax (A)? One team plays 2 x CC + 2 x CC1 teams, the other plays 3 x CC + 1 x CC1.

Well there's nothing like getting your excuses in early is there SJS? And I thought from reading this thread that you were the best team in the Championship.

[Chairman LMAO]

"...work out those games..."
Are you suggesting they actually put some thought into chosing the fixtures, Chairman?

[Sir Jekyll Stocking]

Well there's nothing like getting your excuses in early is there SJS? And I thought from reading this thread that you were the best team in the Championship.

Not intended as an excuse - early or otherwise (honest). Simply pointing out the arbitrary nature of the opening rounds of the NRC, as I recall others have done before.
Not going to bite about Batley being the best team in the Championship. If that's what you want to believe, I won't try to argue with you.

[John North]

Not sure how my comments could be construed as Sour Grapes.

I was commenting on the inflated status of the competition in terms of being part of the franchise criteria.

And i can state with some confidence that the supporters of both Heavy Woollen clubs have seen the NRC (or Trans Pennine or Arriva) Cup as nothing more than a distraction and on occassion an inconvenience.

As for experiencing Big Match atmosphere 73 and 2000 will do me just fine thanks.

[Bat Lad]

Not sure how my comments could be construed as Sour Grapes.

I was commenting on the inflated status of the competition in terms of being part of the franchise criteria.

And i can state with some confidence that the supporters of both Heavy Woollen clubs have seen the NRC (or Trans Pennine or Arriva) Cup as nothing more than a distraction and on occassion an inconvenience.

As for experiencing Big Match atmosphere 73 and 2000 will do me just fine thanks.

To be honest I agree, until we won it it last year I thought the rail cup was nothing more than a pre season distraction. But I tell you the day we had in Blackpool last year was unbelievable and I'd love to go again.

[fredm]

To be honest I agree, until we won it it last year I thought the rail cup was nothing more than a pre season distraction. But I tell you the day we had in Blackpool last year was unbelievable and I'd love to go again.

And as Karl said "No team has ever retained the NR Cup" - said with "that" look on his face.

And I think you know the look I mean!

[Blind side johnny]

And as Karl said "No team has ever retained the NR Cup" - said with "that" look on his face.

And I think you know the look I mean!

It could just be wind.

[RPH]

It could just be wind.

Do you mean Brussels sprouts ?

[fredm]

It could just be wind.