30 replies to this topic

[bowes]

Says that the format of tier 3 from 2013 is as yet undecided between a national conference or one split into northern and southern conferences

It says that the tier 4 national cup (Community Shield) may not happen until 2013. This is odd as leagues have already scheduled bye weeks into the calendar to allow this.

[HappyDave]

Oh! That's the reason for 'Bye' weeks?? Ah!!

Seems odd that they may have had a change of mind so close to the start of the summer Conferences.

[bowes]

Oh! That's the reason for 'Bye' weeks?? Ah!!

Seems odd that they may have had a change of mind so close to the start of the summer Conferences.

There's no summer conference as such but yeah seems odd to change so late. Especially with the misrun Yorkshire Men's League having so few games scheduled for a full season. North West seems brilliantly done to be fair and non heartlands is mostly either an improvement or same again.

Edited by bowes, 09 April 2012 - 05:35 PM.

[HappyDave]

By 'Summer Conference' I meant the Tier 4 'Regionals' [would be so much easier if they were still called the Rugby League Conference (with a sponsor like the Co-op)], as I don't know what to call them. I think there are rumours of a possible South West 9s and another 'County Championship' (apologise for my language for all the players in the South West...) for the teams in the 'South West' and 'West of England' divisions.

Edited by HappyDave, 09 April 2012 - 09:09 PM.

[West Country Eagle]

Oh good, the new issue of RLW is out. I wrote that. I'll be writing lots of community game stuff - 3 pages per issue - for the forseeable, so if anyone has any news or thinks something on their patch is worthy of an article/discussion, do get in touch, Email details in the new issue of the mag (hopefully - I asked them to stick something in and haven't seen the mag yet)

[Cutsyke Raiders]

Says that the format of tier 3 from 2013 is as yet undecided between a national conference or one split into northern and southern conferences

Shambles

It says that the tier 4 national cup (Community Shield) may not happen until 2013. This is odd as leagues have already scheduled bye weeks into the calendar to allow this.

Shambles

[bowes]

Shambles


Shambles

The tier 3 issue isn't a shambles as 2013 is still a long way off. They could confirm a Conference South now and only get 7 applicants and it boy work. Especially with the London clubs not being on side.

On the other hand the 2012 season is underway so to scrap the Community Shield this year would be a shambles and also cause even more problems for the shambolic Yorkshire Men's League that's only bothered to schedule 14 games over 6 months.

[Marauder]

I reckon the BARLA season will kick-off on the 1st September for the 2012/13 season.

[MidlandsRugbyLeague]

On the other hand the 2012 season is underway so to scrap the Community Shield this year would be a shambles and also cause even more problems for the shambolic Yorkshire Men's League that's only bothered to schedule 14 games over 6 months.

This is nonsense, the Community Shield is happening. Anyone who says otherwise is very ill informed.

[Marauder]

This is nonsense, the Community Shield is happening. Anyone who says otherwise is very ill informed.

Will it be an open draw or rigged so the final will be a south v north affair?

[HappyDave]

Will it be an open draw or rigged so the final will be a south v north affair?

Zzzzz... You're boring.

[bowes]

Will it be an open draw or rigged so the final will be a south v north affair?

Something half way in between. I think the first 2 rounds are regionalised and the quarter finals onwards are national.

[Marauder]

Zzzzz... You're boring.

Can't a question be asked and I for one have always said the RLC competition (3 national finals to our credit) once at the knock-out stage should be an open draw.




http://www.sheep.com/Sheep_Sounds.cfm

[Marauder]

Something half way in between. I think the first 2 rounds are regionalised and the quarter finals onwards are national.

I can see the reason behind having the early rounds regionalised, I'd like to see the last eight being an open draw as it will give teams the chance to play against teams in areas they may never get the chance to play in.

[West Country Eagle]

Something half way in between. I think the first 2 rounds are regionalised and the quarter finals onwards are national.

What I was told by David Gent was as follows (try and keep up - it confused me first time):

1. Harry Jepson Trophy will still exist for the clubs in "premier" divisions, which bar the regions without a premier (only South West I think, but I could be wrong) means the winners of the premier divisions. I guess in the South West/West there will be a play off to decide or they just won't enter if the standard's not good enough.

2. There will be a Conference Shield (or whatever they call it) open to ALL TIER 4 SIDES. Regions/leagues can do what they like to find teams to qualify, but the play-offs at the end of it (i.e the quarters and beyond) will feature an open draw, or at least will mean teams traveling to far-flung places. Because it's open to all tier 4 teams that means Yorkshire Men's League, NW counties league etc and all of the regions - so midlands, south east, south west, north east etc etc.

I didn't go into huge detail with him but that's what he said. I can't remember if I used all of his quotes or not - I was tight on space.

So, erm, that's it. Mr Butler will know more about how it works. If I'm told anything different or whatever I'll revisit the issue in RLW later in the season.

[bowes]

I got told the top side each from the west midlands and east midlands goes into the HJ Trophy (Gloucestershire classed as west midlands)

[West Country Eagle]

I got told the top side each from the west midlands and east midlands goes into the HJ Trophy (Gloucestershire classed as west midlands)

Interesting. Maybe there's no place at all for the West/South West… but then the standards generally round our neck of the woods aren't really "premier" standard (though on their day some clubs would be competitive)

[bowes]

Interesting. Maybe there's no place at all for the West/South West… but then the standards generally round our neck of the woods aren't really "premier" standard (though on their day some clubs would be competitive)

Got told there was 9 places but might have changed. Think South Premier, East and South East must all enter a team unless Eastern Rhinos and Elmbridge represent the latter 2?

[bowes]

All first teams (or second teams of tier 3 clubs) not in the HJ Trophy will be invited to an end of season Midlands Cup. From 2013 the 4 invites to the Community Shield will be the 2 sides in the HJ and the midlands cup finalists.

Edited by bowes, 16 April 2012 - 02:05 PM.

[bowes]

This is nonsense, the Community Shield is happening. Anyone who says otherwise is very ill informed.

Any idea how our qualifier will be run?