18 replies to this topic

[duffymoon]

Looking at next weeks fixtures there is still a chance that we can make it to the quarter finals of this seasons Northern Rail Cup although it is dependent on other results.Assuming we win at Gateshead it would need Leigh to win at Workington by more than 12 points and Halifax to beat Batley by more than 12 points.That would leave Halifax and Leigh together with the winner of Sheffield v Hunslet as qualifiers with us taking fourth spot.

[duffymoon]

Looking at next weeks fixtures there is still a chance that we can make it to the quarter finals of this seasons Northern Rail Cup although it is dependent on other results.Assuming we win at Gateshead it would need Leigh to win at Workington by more than 12 points and Halifax to beat Batley by more than 12 points.That would leave Halifax and Leigh together with the winner of Sheffield v Hunslet as qualifiers with us taking fourth spot.

On further reflection a big win at Gateshead may suffice as long as our points difference is better than Batley and Workington assuming that both lose.Makes next sunday very interesting and certainly not the nothing game some thought earlier today.

[PhillH]

Having got the bonus point yesterday Oldham aren't totally out of it either, but it will be tough for them facing Whitehaven at Whitebank starting from a points difference of -43.

It would be a shame not to get through, having got so close to Halifax and blowing the possiblility of a bonus point at Leigh with so much dropped ball in the first half.

Current points differences being; Batley +38, Workington +62, Swinton -17.

Batley will be fired up to keep the chance of defending their trophy, so I don't think their game against Halifax is a foregone conclusion.

Thus if Batley and Workington were to get bonus points next week they would finish with no worse than +26 and +50 respectively. So the Lions in theory would need a win at Gateshead by 67 points. If Leigh can beat Workington by more than 12 the target becomes a Lions win at Gateshead by 43.

Doesn't leave any room for complacency but not impossible on the evidence of the last couple of weeks. Gateshead shocked me when getting so close to Sheffield in their first game, but the last fortnight has shown the Eagles are struggling badly.

[PaulT]

I don't mean to sound negative, but although it would be nice to qualify, deep down I kind of hope we don't. It will cause a big distraction to the league (see 2005 vs Hull KR and the results that followed).

If we were to have a distraction, I would prefer it to be in the Challenge Cup where there is nothing better than a big away day at Wigan or Leeds etc.

[duffymoon]

I dont agree! The Northern Rail Cup has grown in ststure each year.The way we are playing at present I think we would be competetive whoever we faced in the quarter finals should we qualify.It would generate interest and publicity for the club which can only be good.

[Bryce]

Plus a bit extra cash if we get a home fixture! With the squad we've got I don't see why we can't compete in 3 competitions. Still trying to keep our feet on the ground... The league is far more important.

[PaulT]

Duffymoon, I hope your right, don't get me wrong, success in the league and Northern Rail cup would be fantastic, but as Bryce says, the league is far more important and if push came to shove, I would personally quite happily throw the Northern Rail cup under the bus in favour of the league.

[distantdog]

I don't mean to sound negative, but although it would be nice to qualify, deep down I kind of hope we don't. It will cause a big distraction to the league (see 2005 vs Hull KR and the results that followed).

If we were to have a distraction, I would prefer it to be in the Challenge Cup where there is nothing better than a big away day at Wigan or Leeds etc.

I really do not understand this attitude at all. How many trophies per year do you have a genuine chance to win? Surely Swinton would have a really decent chance of progressing if they qualify?

As a Batley supporter, the NRC provided me with one of, if not the greatest day out in my 45 years supporting my club. We won the trophy on merit and it's forever down in our records now.

The reason why the NRC does not have the stature it should have is because of attitudes like this!

[PaulT]

I really do not understand this attitude at all. How many trophies per year do you have a genuine chance to win? Surely Swinton would have a really decent chance of progressing if they qualify?

As a Batley supporter, the NRC provided me with one of, if not the greatest day out in my 45 years supporting my club. We won the trophy on merit and it's forever down in our records now.

The reason why the NRC does not have the stature it should have is because of attitudes like this!

I'm not knocking the competition, I think it's a great competition. My point is that the league is more important and I'm just fearful that after our good run in this competition in 2005 could cost us the league.

[marshy1]

I'm not knocking the competition, I think it's a great competition. My point is that the league is more important and I'm just fearful that after our good run in this competition in 2005 could cost us the league.

I have to say that as a sporting club we should be aiming to win every competition we enter into.

I do see the relivance of the extra games taking it's toll on the squad and I agree getting out of Championship 1 has to be priority but good cup runs can also work the other way in so far as galvanising the squad into a stronger unit on the back of a good run.

There are merits for both arguments I think.

[mark richardson]

You cant turn form on and off and I believe we should go all out in every game.
Plus doing well in any competition will give us publicity and attract fans and sponsors and MONEY.
I understand the argument for concentrating on the league but I think its flawed. Pick our best team every game and try and win every game.

HOWEVER we must guard against complacency as fans and team and also arrogance and a lack of respect for opposition teams and fans. Hard work and a sporting spirit all round.

[RunItOffAfi]

You cant turn form on and off and I believe we should go all out in every game.
Plus doing well in any competition will give us publicity and attract fans and sponsors and MONEY.
I understand the argument for concentrating on the league but I think its flawed. Pick our best team every game and try and win every game.

HOWEVER we must guard against complacency as fans and team and also arrogance and a lack of respect for opposition teams and fans. Hard work and a sporting spirit all round.

I've never understand or condoned this with sports fans being arrogant about their team being successful, either periodically or over a long period. If you don't support your own town team, but another, more successful one, then, in my eyes, you're a glory chaser and don't count as a fan anyway. If you support the team of the town where you were born, where's your right to be arrogant, as you have no say over where you were born. If you're doing well, enjoy the moment, as it may soon pass, and more grim times may prevail. Right, I'll dismount now!

[PhillH]

A bad experience against Hull KR 6 years ago is no reason to throw the towel in on the Late Trains Cup - just not relevent nowadays. Totally different squad, different coach, even a different home venue. Besides which, two of the best teams in this year's Championship have already been faced - Leigh and Halifax - without disasterous consequences.

The Lions have shown a lot of promise in the games so far, but not reached maximum potential yet. It is reasonable to expect significant improvement over the coming weeks. There have been massive changes in personnel since last season and it always takes a few games for players to develop an understanding with each other and their new coach. Steve McCormack's sides generally play quite an open brand of rugby with a lot of set moves in the central portion of the field - takes a bit of time to perfect these things and chose the right moments to put on the right plays. We have hardly seen any/much of Tommy Gallagher, Dana Wilson, Bruce Johnson, Adam Ryder, Carl Forber and a few others who should strengthen the side / give good options when they do get going properly. Steve McCormack has chopped and changed his line up every week, so the team is yet to settle into a pattern.

All in all, there is no reason to think that the Lions could not give it a good go against Championship opposition, at least in a one off cup tie. They definately ought to be going to Gateshead looking to win by a wide enough margin to take the chance of getting into the next stages if Batley and Workington lose. I'd be very disappointed if the Lions put out a badly weakened side and effectively gave up the ghost. The squad needs that winning mentality and will not achieve what everyone is hoping for in the league unless it has mental toughness to put a string of wins together - no good turning it on one week and relaxing off for the following week or two. This is rugby league that we are talking about - a game where lack of professionalism in terms of effort, discipline, concentration, team work, respect for the referee and opposition, will result in defeat every time.

Steve McCormack has had to strike a difficult balance through the group games, the core problem for me being lack of a reserve side. Its virtually impossible for him to keep all the squad members happy and match practiced, and pretty difficult to establish what the best combination of players actually is. I do think a reserve side would be a big plus and lot more viable if we had a ground to call home.

[mark richardson]

Team P W D L PF PA Diff Bns Pts
Leigh 4 4 0 0 176 44 132 0 12
Batley 4 3 0 1 102 63 39 0 9
Hunslet 4 2 0 2 76 52 24 2 8
Swinton 4 2 0 2 149 94 55 1 7
Halifax 3 2 0 1 103 58 45 1 7
Workington 4 2 0 2 122 90 32 0 6
Whitehaven 3 1 1 1 48 48 0 1 6
Sheffield 4 1 1 2 66 120 -54 1 6
Oldham 4 1 0 3 62 115 -53 2 5
Gateshead 4 0 0 4 30 250 -220 1 1

I take it Fax have to play Whitehaven? In which case we are unlikely to qulaify?

[Bryce]

We're definitely out, good effort from the lads though.

[kitey]

not unlikely but impossible.Bring on the league!!!!

[marshy1]

Team P W D L PF PA Diff Bns Pts
Leigh 4 4 0 0 176 44 132 0 12
Batley 4 3 0 1 102 63 39 0 9
Hunslet 4 2 0 2 76 52 24 2 8
Swinton 4 2 0 2 149 94 55 1 7
Halifax 3 2 0 1 103 58 45 1 7
Workington 4 2 0 2 122 90 32 0 6
Whitehaven 3 1 1 1 48 48 0 1 6
Sheffield 4 1 1 2 66 120 -54 1 6
Oldham 4 1 0 3 62 115 -53 2 5
Gateshead 4 0 0 4 30 250 -220 1 1

I take it Fax have to play Whitehaven? In which case we are unlikely to qulaify?

Correct Mark it we are out.What a shame we couldn't get that bonus point at Leigh.

Really good effort by the lads both today and during the qualifiers.Assuming that Fax beat Whitehaven we will end up the top team from Championship 1 a crumb of comfort.

I wonder if Fax have played any non registered players???? Yes i'm clutching at straws, Well done Lions.Bring on East Hull and lets have a good Cup run and than the real test starts so lets get that league won.!!

[PhillH]

Batley will be fired up to keep the chance of defending their trophy, so I don't think their game against Halifax is a foregone conclusion.

That one came back to haunt!

Should have had a few quid on a Batley win!

[duffymoon]

How unlucky are we! Halifax took the lead for the first time in the game with a 79th minute drop goal from Ben Black 25-24 which would have been good enough for us to go through only for Batley to be awarded a penalty in the 80th minute which gave them a 26-25 win.