ultimate roughyed

Just watched the Toulouse game back and heard George mention their pitch was 70 metres wide........2 metres wider than BP. Then we play against Halifax at Odsal on a 55 metre wide pitch which is the minimum size a pitch can be according to the RFL Operational rules. Interesting though they state the maximum width is 68 metres! Have Toulouse got dispensation to play on a wider pitch then? It must have been difficult for the players to adapt to such a narrow pitch on Sunday so a wins a win despite the efforts of the referee! It might help us when we play Bradford in a few weeks time.

Add to that the try from their full back to take it to 20-8 was a blatant obstruction if you watch it back the kicker runs behind his own man before kicking through stopping Bailey Aldridge from tackling him. This was critical as it gave them a bit of breathing space on the score board.

Yes, 2 centres and a winger.

.

Some people need to get a grip, have a reality check, put things in perspective.........3 years ago we were nearly bottom of League 1 above West Wales and Cornwall at one point, effectively the lowest placed traditional team! Also playing in a tiny ground with poor facilities, no disrespect to Avro which is perfectly adequate for amateur football. A bit like Keighley now! 3 years on and we're playing in a great stadium with super facilities and are competing at the top end of the Championship. One swallow (defeat) doesn't make a summer. There will be lots of ups and downs this season so expect more defeats to come but get behind the club and the players and give 100% backing every game. Sing even when we are losing, be resilient and think of the bigger picture .......we are going places. Enjoy the journey, the lows make the highs even more bitter sweet.

Just to add, we need to stay well clear of the relegation dogfight which I think we can...... this is my predicted league table :- 1. Bradford 2. Toulouse 3. Featherstone 4. Widnes 5. York 6. Oldham 7. London 8. Doncaster 9. Sheffield 10. Batley 11. Barrow 12. Halifax 13. Hunslet

Format for promotion and relegation from/to League 1 next season...... Promotion and relegation between the Championship and League One will be determined by a “Super Eight” competition including the bottom four teams from the Championship, and the top four from League One. Each of the eight teams involved will play the four teams from the other competition – two at home, two away – over four weekends from September 21 to October 12, with the top two in the final table securing places in the 2026 Betfred Championship, and the bottom four confirmed to play in Betfred League One. The teams finishing third and fourth in the Super Eight table will play off for the 12th and last place in the 2026 Betfred Championship at the home ground of the third placed team on the weekend of October 19. A few observations...... 1.) Seems unfair on top team in League 1 as no automatic promotion. 2.) Using last seasons Championship table as an example, it gives the likes of Dewsbury a 2nd chance to stay up even though they were miles off the pace. If Championship teams win their 4 games against L1 opposition which is feasible it'll come down to goal difference to who finishes in positions 1-4. Doesn't seem fair after a long hard Championship season, get injuries at the end and may still go down even after finishing 4th from bottom!

Not too far, about an hours drive.

Can you turn water into wine? I'll drink to that!

A top quality Aussie half back would be nice with plenty of SL experience.

I'm sure Mo could play at centre to give JT a rest. Of the 21 I'd rest Sidlow/Craven (not worth risking this week) and Farnworth/JT a week off before the big one against Keighley.

Is this your previous biggest attendance? Cas Tigers in League 2, who would have ever believed it!

Better than Matty Wildie and Bailey Aldridge, I don't think so........

It's such a shame your not going to have a full strength side out against us as I fear for you next week if we play like we did today............ I can see 1000+ Oldham fans coming next week so better open up another stand otherwise it'll be carnage!

Came straight out of JTs mouth when asked at BP last Sunday in the Broadway Suite before the game.

JT is aiming to play against NWC but will be strapped up as the wait for an operation to his knee is 6-8 weeks. Add rehabilitation and his season would be over.

I'm sure Kopcaz is playing with a knock. Barely played against Keighley last week. Then today played 2 minutes before half time and 15 minutes after excluding his 10 minutes in the sin bin! He must be playing on one leg!

Think he got a one match ban so might be missing next Sunday. Always caused us problems when he was at Doncaster.

It's possible that both us/Keighley remain undefeated against other teams and it'll come down to the head to head matches between us. We play them 3 times, once at home and twice away which to me is grossly unfair!

Our confidence has taken a knock after losing to Swinton and getting caned by York so we are there for the taking. Definitely not the best of fixtures to start the season with away to you guys. 3 of our better players missed the last match through injury (Kopczack, Elijah Taylor and Pat Moran), we desperately need them back. I'm hopeful for a win but it'll be very close if you are up for it and play like you did against Whitehaven. How's the pitch looking?

I'm sure Mrs Naylor will be pleased you've been jilted! You've done a cracking job over the years, thanks Dave.

To be fair it's Swinton's normal admission price and it's a shared gate anyway so we'll get our share of the gate receipts.