18 replies to this topic

[usain bolt]

http://www.nationalc...llenge-cup-draw

draws for the upcoming 1st and 2nd round ties are due this afternoon.

[usain bolt]

oldham st annes, waterhead and crossfields not on the list of teams entered. why?

[bowes]

I also mentioned this on the other thread but NCL clubs (possibly only those below the premier division?) are now allowed to opt out of the Challenge Cup.

Notable are the absence of representatives from the NWCL, Scottish League and Hull League. Surprised to see a Welsh club.

[EdinburghExile]

Edinburgh have the unfortunate clash with a Scotland fixture which depletes the squad too much to make cup entry viable. Bit of a nuisance.

[Walter]

Challenge Cup Qualifying Round One draw:

Featherstone Lions v Stanley Rangers
Eastmoor Dragons v Loughborough University
Underbank Rangers v Heworth
Dewsbury Celtic v Ovenden
East Leeds v Drighlington
Bank Quay Bulls v Castleford Panthers
Warrington Wizards v British Police
Askam v Millom
Blackbrook v Castleford Lock Lane
Northumbria University v Milford Marlins
Stanningley v Widnes West Bank
Normanton Knights v York Acorn
Bristol Sonics v Eccles
Kells v Egremont Rangers
Hunslet Old Boys v St Marys University
Rochdale Mayfield v University of Hull
Leeds Metropolitan University v Elland
Hunslet Warriors v Wigan St Judes
Bradford Dudley Hill v Bonymaen Broncos
Shaw Cross Sharks v Pilkington Recs

Ties to be played weekend of October 27-28

Challenge Cup Qualifying Round Two draw:

Bradford Dudley Hill or Bonymaen Broncos v Eastmoor Dragons or Loughborough University
Northumbria University or Milford Marlins v Dewsbury Celtic or Ovenden
Rochdale Mayfield or University of Hull v Bank Quay Bulls or Castleford Panthers
Shaw Cross Sharks or Pilkington Recs v Featherstone Lions
Warrington Wizards or British Police v Blackbrook or Castleford Lock Lane
Underbank Rangers or Heworth v Leeds Metropolitan University or Elland
Normanton Knights or York Acorn v Hunslet Old Boys or St Marys University
East Leeds or Drighlington v Hunslet Warriors or Wigan St Judes
Stanningley or Widnes West Bank v Kells or Egremont Rangers
Askam or Millom v Bristol Sonics or Eccles

Ties to be played weekend of November 3-4

[Dessie O'Hare]

The RFL strike again.
There will be 27 teams left in the final qualifying round !
It should have been 18 1st round ties plus 4 byes, leaving 22 teams.... 11x 2nd round ties leaving 11 winners plus the remaining 17 in the final qualifier....

[tp321]

RFL showing terrific timing again, teams fixtured games to win their respective divisions, or to win promotion or fight relegation, now got 2 cup weekends. Also any team gaining promotion from the 1st division, would not normally enter these rounds. Another last minute idea from the powers that be. I believe Egremont have 5 league games left, a couple of bad weather weeks and they will be still playing in January.

[bowes]

The RFL strike again.
There will be 27 teams left in the final qualifying round !
It should have been 18 1st round ties plus 4 byes, leaving 22 teams.... 11x 2nd round ties leaving 11 winners plus the remaining 17 in the final qualifier....

28 teams wouldn't work either. Some or all Championship 1 sides are entering an earlier round.
Edit: or not all new clubs are entering

Edited by bowes, 10 October 2012 - 08:03 PM.

[usain bolt]

some cracking ties there, East Leeds v Drighlington, Askam v Millom, Blackbrook v Castleford Lock Lane, Kells v Egremont Rangers, Hunslet Warriors v Wigan St Judes and Shaw Cross Sharks v Pilkington Recs being the pick for me.

good old fashioned knock out rugby league.

[del capo]

RFL showing terrific timing again, teams fixtured games to win their respective divisions, or to win promotion or fight relegation, now got 2 cup weekends. Also any team gaining promotion from the 1st division, would not normally enter these rounds. Another last minute idea from the powers that be. I believe Egremont have 5 league games left, a couple of bad weather weeks and they will be still playing in January.

Entry is based on this season status,. not potential league movement.

The 'dog fights ' are also recognised , with any need for game movement ' in built ' if actually necessary. Much better to see how it actually pans out......

[tp321]

Entry is based on this season status,. not potential league movement.

The 'dog fights ' are also recognised , with any need for game movement ' in built ' if actually necessary. Much better to see how it actually pans out......

[tp321]

Has this always been the case, regards this seasons status? Surely if the prelim round was played the same time as this year, the 2013 placing would of been used?

[Cutsyke Raiders]

Entry is based on this season status,. not potential league movement.

This is fair enough as the season hasn't finished..

But, the purpose of playing these rounds at the end of this season, was to not to start as early as this year 2012.
Guess what! there are 2 more qualifying rounds that will still have to start as early next year !!!

Pointless

Edited by Cutsyke Raiders, 10 October 2012 - 09:45 PM.

[Marauder]

Entry is based on this season status,. not potential league movement.

The 'dog fights ' are also recognised , with any need for game movement ' in built ' if actually necessary. Much better to see how it actually pans out......

I've always been led to believe that entry into the challenge cup for amateurs is by invite?

[tp321]

Entry is based on this season status,. not potential league movement.

The 'dog fights ' are also recognised , with any need for game movement ' in built ' if actually necessary. Much better to see how it actually pans out......

So, will Egremont finish their league fixtures first?

[terryg]

I've always been led to believe that entry into the challenge cup for amateurs is by invite?

Nope NCL teams are in automatically. Travel expenses are supported by the RFL http://media.rladmin...ounds Guide.pdf
I expect the 2013 rules to follow the same criteria.

Just a thought as the NCL teams won't reach the final stages unless a mighty plague hits all the pro ranks. Why not have a Plate competition for all teams knocked out at round two.

[Marauder]

Nope NCL teams are in automatically. Travel expenses are supported by the RFL http://media.rladmin...ounds Guide.pdf
I expect the 2013 rules to follow the same criteria.

Just a thought as the NCL teams won't reach the final stages unless a mighty plague hits all the pro ranks. Why not have a Plate competition for all teams knocked out at round two.

The RFL used to invited NCL clubs, county and national cup winners as well as a assortment of regional premier division champions.

[EdinburghExile]

Nope NCL teams are in automatically. Travel expenses are supported by the RFL http://media.rladmin...ounds Guide.pdf
I expect the 2013 rules to follow the same criteria.

Just a thought as the NCL teams won't reach the final stages unless a mighty plague hits all the pro ranks. Why not have a Plate competition for all teams knocked out at round two.

There was a plate competition in 1997 in the competition proper. It was panned - silly to give teams an incentive to lose. Better to reward teams that win at a particular stage, like the Captain Morgan Trophy in 1974.

[Wiffdog]

Just a thought as the NCL teams won't reach the final stages unless a mighty plague hits all the pro ranks. Why not have a Plate competition for all teams knocked out at round two.

I think there is already too many games a club play in a season. Just look at Egremont this season, had a decent Challenge Cup run early on and getting to the final of the NCL Challenge Trophy has left them with league games running into November! And then theres next years Challenge Cup to deal with too...

I think the Plate idea would put too much pressure on clubs with an already congested fixtures through the summer game. I personally don't think its needed.