gogledd

Looking forward to our visit on 27th July

2025 will see the return of the Super 8s format with the top four teams in League One meeting the bottom four teams in the Championship to decide which division those clubs will play in for 2026.[5] The Super 8s will comprise four rounds with each League One club playing the four clubs from the Championship, two at home and two away. After the four rounds have been completed, the top two teams will automatically qualify to play in the 2026 Championship. The teams finishing third and fourth will play each other to decide which teams gets the final place in the Championship. The losers of this match and the teams finishing fifth to eighth will play in League One in 2026. As you can see, it heavily favours Championship Clubs. Crusaders and Midlands potentially could top League 1 and still not get promoted.

What about the two applications that got through to the RFL when Goole Vikings were accepted? (Bedford? Anglian Vipers?)

At least Bernard get civic recognition and didn't have to wait until he reached his late 80s before receiving it.

Back in from the game and a few celebratory pints and a kebab. My thoughts: Dewsbury proved to be a really tough team to break down, particularly in the second half and only our excellent defence made sure they didn't give us any more problems than we left ourselves. The conditions were stiflingly hot - for both team, and the officials who handled it really well. Nice to meet some of the Dewsbury fans after the game for a conversation about all things League 1....and we were all baffled about where any of us could end up next season. Another week off next week but at least we go into it on top of the League, with four points clear of 2nd and 3rd and with a game in hand. Next weeks Haven v Town clash should be a cracker!

Wins for Fev, TO XIII, Doncaster, Barrow,, Oldham and Knights.

Wins for Swinton, and a close win for Haven at the Millenium. Workington and Hurricane will be a battle. I'd expect a reaction from Workington after their defeat last weekend but Hurricanes are a really tough team to break down. I'll pick Hurricanes but I think it will be very close. Hopefully Crusaders will win at Eirias Park. They should be confident and their form is in their favour. If the fans can create the same atmosphere as last week that will be a bonus and boost the lads on to their eleventh win of the season.

He's not wrong...and the format this season is so stop and start.

Totally lost my voice at Eirias Park. What a great atmosphere and a performance to match from Crusaders. Some great tries scored and celebrated by the Cru fans. Nice to see Workington well supported too, and thanks to all their fans for making the long journey. Top of the League with 10 wins from 11 games and a game in hand on the rest of the top 4, with another home game next Sunday.

I was one....I've been a long time Catalans supporter, but its hard to drum up any enthusiasm to watch them given their performance in the last 4 or 5 games. They were even worse today than when I saw them at Saints a couple of weeks ago. They were absolutely dreadful today.

Wins for Rams, Hurricanes, Swinton....but all games could go either way. Its a really tight league this season; only 5 points between the top 5 teams at the moment. Another massive game at home for Crusaders; first v second (again!) and two teams both performing well. Hopefully, home advantage gets Crusaders the win, but it could be another tight one. Lets hope the team keeps playing as well as they have been and the desire to stay ahead of the pack is as strong as it can be.

Bulls, Panthers, TO XIII, Rovers, Oldham, Knights

I'd love to see North Wales Crusaders back at the Racecourse, in Wrexham....thus saving a 90 mile round trip for a home game!

Quick shout out for North Wales Crusaders womens team playing in the RFL 9s Competition in Leeds on 5th July. Good luck ladies.

Over the years I got to know Kev and Jim quite well. I created a separate post on the Forum for people to add their condolences and memories of Kev. My thoughts are with all his friends at Newcastle Thunder.

There are probably plenty of us on this Forum that came across Kev at sometime. His voice and chanting was unmistakable (BOOM BOOM, Thunder Army!!). He was fun, generous and always a good friend. I sang 'Abide With Me' with Kev and the Fans Choir at the 2016 Challenge Cup Final. We had a great weekend and took advantage of a 2-for-1 offer at our hotel which ended up with 6 bottles of wine on our table...of course Kev was as fresh as a daisy the next morning! We me up in Newcastle, Gateshead, Leigh, Galashiels (for a Scotland v Wales international) and of course Wrexham where he was very much loved. Thoughts to family and friends especially Jim Bradley who was his ever-present mate. RIP Kev https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1409601283932535&set=pcb.1409602790599051

Bulls, Panthers, TO XIII, Barrow, Donny, York

Haven, Hurricanes, Lions, Worky. A week off for Crusaders with the Cornwall game off..but we'll still remain top after Sunday. To all the Cru fans travelling to Cornwall, I hope you have good weather - Enjoy yourselves

Agree about being baffled by some of the decisions by the officiating team and like @HurricanesSC I could pick out a number of decisions tht had our section roaring their disapproval. However, I agree he was equally bad for both sides. Lets leave it at that! A very good result for us; Midlands proved to be the toughest team we've had at Eirias Park this season. Those two league points puts us three points clear at the top. A week off again, with quite a few Cru fans still heading to Cornwall next weekend. Lets hope the good weather holds!

All home wins - except for Panthers ( a win in a very close game in Widnes)

I'll go for all home wins, though all games could go either way in 4 tight games this weekend. Crusaders will need a first half like we played against Hornets and a second half like we played at the Alexander Stadium earlier in the season. I think Crusaders have shown they can win this, we just need a performance to match our expectations. This, and the next game against Workington are crucial wins for us to remain top of League 1.

As others have already pointed out, Billy was subject to racism from the WRU selectors, and would never have been chosen for the Wales RU senior mens team. The article on the WRU website doesn't tackle its past discrimination.

That article has not only been airbrushed but sanitised beyond belief!

I'm not sure it isn't taken seriously as an elite sport with the current mix...to suggest it is is more than a little insulting.

The Summer Smash should be a great event.... I was selected to referee the Masters International between Wales and Ireland but unfortunately I have another commitment that day...gutted that I can't do it.