Halifax coach Simon Grix says the 1895 Cup can work – but needs to be reviewed on a number of fronts before next season. Grix’s Fax and Bradford both fielded second-string teams and were heavily beaten by Sheffield and Barrow respectively in midweek, just four days after their Challenge Cup quarter-final. And Grix says that scheduling is a key issue…
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GARETH WALKER of League Express anticipates a thrilling Summer Bash today and tomorrow RUGBY League fixture planners aren’t always at the top of everybody’s Christmas lists, but you can’t fault their selections for this weekend’s Summer Bash fixtures. Every single one of the seven matches has plenty at stake. They all look evenly-matched contests, with the RFL hoping for a…
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GARETH WALKER of League Express looks ahead to this weekend’s League I contests WHILE attention in the Betfred Championship this weekend switches firmly to the Summer Bash in Blackpool, there is also a full round of fixtures in the increasingly intriguing League One. Eight weeks into the new season, and just five points separate leaders Whitehaven from eighth placed Coventry…
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It rarely fails to deliver top-notch entertainment and it helps raise the profile of the Championship with much-needed TV coverage too, so why is the future of the Summer Bash so insecure? It has hosted brutal battles, breathtaking comebacks and off-field controversy – and the Summer Bash will be back in Blackpool this May. From the Battle of Bloomfield Road…
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GARETH WALKER of League Express looks ahead to the weekend’s Challenge Cup action. THIS weekend sees the Championship clubs join the Coral Challenge Cup, with a host of fascinating clashes in prospect. The BBC has chosen the Yorkshire derby between Keighley Cougars and Bradford Bulls to screen online on Sunday afternoon, where a bumper crowd is expected to see Craig…
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Gregg McNally can remember the exact time he knew he needed to turn his back on full-time rugby for the sake of his family. His wife Rosey has AVN (avascular necrosis) – a condition which kills bone tissue due to interruption of the blood supply – and at 28, needs operations to replace both hips and at least one knee.…
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League Express Championship correspondent GARETH WALKER hears about the efforts of one club to reverse its financial troubles. OLDHAM Chairman Chris Hamilton has seen more than most in terms of what it takes to run a Rugby League club outside the top flight. In almost 22 years in charge of the Roughyeds, Hamilton has fought the club’s own day-to-day battle…
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Halifax coach, Richard Marshall has pledged to do all he can to help their former prop, Adam Tangata in his recovery from injury after he was made redundant by Widnes. The Cook Islands international only switched between the two clubs in pre-season to take up his first, full-time contract. But he suffered a pectoral injury which could sideline him for…
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Toronto Wolfpack owner David Argyle has reiterated his desire to bring New Zealand superstar Sonny Bill Williams to the club. Reports emerged in Australia last week that the club was making an ambitious bid to sign the former Canterbury Bulldogs and Sydney Roosters back rower ahead of this year’s rugby union World Cup. Argyle was quoted stating his intention –…
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GARETH WALKER of League Express looks at the remarkable start to the season by Championship side Sheffield Eagles. JUST three rounds into the new Championship season and only two of the 14 clubs are undefeated – with one of those being Sheffield Eagles. After a disappointing 2018 campaign which coach Mark Aston refused to shy away from, the Eagles have…
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