9 replies to this topic

[glemiln]

A good Nets win 54-18 it seems with 9 tries. Pity we let in two scores in last 10 mins. Sets up the prospect of a superb match and hopefully a good crowd with our nearest and dearest who beat Barrow 32-26.

[Anita Bath]

The league table is showing the usual evidence of the RFLs expansion policy success.

The reorganised league will be a disaster for any 'traditional club' that gets left in the new second division with this lot and the next bunch.

[Pugwash]

Well after a slightly dodgy start Hornets really took the Crusaders on and gave them the mother and father of a hiding. They call that tubby 13 Jono Tarzan but today he played more like Jane, or cheetah!

We really got amongst them, gave them no time to get running at us and they ended up getting badly penalised for persistent offences. At times it was difficult to remember when they had the ball last as they turned it over so quickly and we managed to get several repeat sets for drop outs etc.

It would be wrong to say any player had anything but a good game but particular stand outs were, Braddish, Newton, Wood and O'Connor, although others may name different players.

One Sheep botherer in fron of us said "You haven't played well, it's just us that's played badly." It's funny that, I've never seen Hornets play well you know it's always the other team that's bad!!!

Pugwash.

[BUZZYBEE]

Good result and another great friendly welcome in the Turf both before and after the game
And some good performances on the pitch Well done team

[glemiln]

After the Oldham game, we are not at Spotland again until 6 May with two difficult away games at Barrow and Donny. Naturally, those games will be crucial in our bid for promotion to avoid the league of death next season. However, I do not see the RFL getting 4 new teams for another meaningful tier (only 2 is it now?), and suspect another plan B emerging at the close of season. Nonetheless, it's important that we focus on promotion. Bonus points at our away games should be the minimum aim to be in the mix.

[Anita Bath]

After the Oldham game, we are not at Spotland again until 6 May with two difficult away games at Barrow and Donny. Naturally, those games will be crucial in our bid for promotion to avoid the league of death next season. However, I do not see the RFL getting 4 new teams for another meaningful tier (only 2 is it now?), and suspect another plan B emerging at the close of season. Nonetheless, it's important that we focus on promotion. Bonus points at our away games should be the minimum aim to be in the mix.

You are assuming it has to be meaningful - when has that been a criteria for the RFL? I suspect its just an underhand way of trying to get rid of some of the traditional teams - whoever gets left with the 'butcher-baker-candlestickmaker' teams will struggle financially and be at high risk of going under as no one will want to watch them play northampton cobblers, mid wales sheep lovers and gateshead bonnie lads every week.

[mickhornet]

A great win for us, well played boys!And what a great set of fans Crusaders have, very friendly,very noisy, and over a thousand.Nice ground, good pitch, and a great pub just outside.Lots of potential.

[ornit4ever]

A great win for us, well played boys!And what a great set of fans Crusaders have, very friendly,very noisy, and over a thousand.Nice ground, good pitch, and a great pub just outside.Lots of potential.

Couldnt agree more, that was exactly what our 'beautiful game' is all about, friendly banter, great entertainment, excellent stadium and a very passionate Crusaders crowd.
How sad that a long established club like ours cannot match their attendance figure.
Yeh, lots of potential for the Cru...Cru... Crusaders.

[Anita Bath]

Now if the RFL were to have a 16 team championship division next year (30 game league season scrap the silly pre season thing), and suppose the table in Ch1 stays as it is (OK it is very early days, but just suppose), then we would have the curent top 6 move up leaving the bottom 4 with the new teams in Ch1. The top 6 are the 'traditional' clubs so it would resemble what we had roughly before all the expansion stuff started.

It will be like the 1960s again (without Blackpool and Bramley and unlimited tackles). Lots of potential for a seriously competitive league.

Of course that could never happen because the RFL will have 'criteria' for playing in the championship which will involve things other than on field performance in order to have a geographical spread that justifies wasted effort on expansion and a means of keeping weekends in London on the superleague calendar. And the championship will not expand to 16 in order to make sure they pick off a traditional club or two.

[Pugwash]

Now if the RFL were to have a 16 team championship division next year (30 game league season scrap the silly pre season thing), and suppose the table in Ch1 stays as it is (OK it is very early days, but just suppose), then we would have the curent top 6 move up leaving the bottom 4 with the new teams in Ch1. The top 6 are the 'traditional' clubs so it would resemble what we had roughly before all the expansion stuff started.

It will be like the 1960s again (without Blackpool and Bramley and unlimited tackles). Lots of potential for a seriously competitive league.

Of course that could never happen because the RFL will have 'criteria' for playing in the championship which will involve things other than on field performance in order to have a geographical spread that justifies wasted effort on expansion and a means of keeping weekends in London on the superleague calendar. And the championship will not expand to 16 in order to make sure they pick off a traditional club or two.

I had a similar idea in an earlier thread based on merging the two Championship leagues and forming East and West Conferences. This would give all clubs a chance to have a home fixture or two against the bigger clubs whilst having the main fixtures against similar opposition. There would be a set of Inter-Conference games based on your place in your Conference and the Rail Cup would be retained but as a straight knock-out competition.

We can but hope!

Pugwash.