Northern Eel

It has been, as you say, a long-held issue. I think the online abuse is a huge issue and has naturally increased over time. The fact we have refs wearing head cams now is for no reason other than to cut out the misconduct of players towards match officials. I also think that these days there’s far more things folk could be doing with their time and when it comes to a choice between getting a load of flack or doing something else, I’d imagine it is an increasingly easy decision to make.

He certainly had a unique and endearing way of doing things. A sad loss.

There's two issues at play in my opinion: 1. The severe challenges associated with actually getting a match official course booked at a date, time and venue that suits enough people. The RFL resources to do this are woefully low. 2. The spectre of giving up time to go and be told by everyone else who won't pick up a whistle that you are corrupt, blind or incapable is not one that many folk choose these days. On both counts, a great shame.

It’s hard enough on a trumpet or cornet under pressure, but a valveless bugle is incredibly difficult. As you say, getting the consistent embouchure is a challenge at the best of times, but when nervous this is a nightmare.

Some fantastic tries in this game so far.

I think the RFL should be made to pay Catalans a bond of £500k to be allowed to continue administering the game, just in case they end up (predictably) selling it on the cheap to Bradford.

This club has been punching above its weight for years, and all credit to everyone involved. I doubted last year we would be competitive, and was proven wrong. I am doubting again, and am once more waiting to be proven wrong. It is a long season, and we are only just at the beginning. There's plenty more water to pass under the bridge to be getting too worries just yet.

It is limited to what we generate ourselves. Unfortunately, whilst the team is based in Bassetlaw, it crosses the consistency boundary into Newark. The Bassetlaw MP, Brendan Clarke-Smith is a Rhino's fan and often re-tweets our social media output, but Robert Jenrick, our actual MP is too posh for RL I think! Here's our latest newspaper slot. https://www.worksopguardian.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/bassetlaw-bulldogs-ready-for-new-rugby-league-season-4569980

Another one for Cas as they stretch the lead to 28-14

Cas score again and that's the ball game. 15 mins left. 24-14

And they can't.

Third set in a repeat set for Batley. They need to make this one count...

Cas are a man down for 10 minutes, but they repel the pressure on their line.