Postponements show NCL watering down stance on ‘A’ teams

TIME was when it was a hard-and fast requirement, under the National Conference League minimum standards criteria, that member clubs had to have in place…

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Leeds Rhinos star Jake Connor takes up head coach role

LEEDS RHINOS star Jake Connor has been appointed Siddal head coach ahead of next season. The 31-year-old, who won the Steve Prescott Man of Steel…

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Talking Grassroots: Opinion split as regional restructure nears

THE National Community Rugby League initiative is rumbling on, as regular readers of League Express will be fully aware – not least because the Rugby…

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No plans to revive BARLA County Championship

THE BARLA County Championship, which for many years involved Cumbria, Lancashire and Yorkshire at open age, Under 19 and Under 17 levels, is, it would…

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Proposed structure of amateur overhaul to be revealed to clubs

KELLY BARRETT, the Rugby Football League’s head of delivery (community game competitions) has further updated amateur clubs and leagues on developments regarding the National Community…

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Orrell St James claim emphatic BARLA National Cup final win over Brighouse Rangers

ORRELL ST JAMES 56 BRIGHOUSE RANGERS 0 PHIL HODGSON Millennium Stadium, Featherstone, Sunday  ORRELL, runners-up to Thatto Heath Crusaders in last year’s final, expunged the…

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Grandson of ex-Great Britain international stars in Ireland Wolfhounds win

IRELAND WOLFHOUNDS 26 WALES DRAGONHEARTS 22 PHIL HODGSON, Castleford Panthers, Saturday BAILY TAIT, whose grandfather Frank ‘Spanky’ Dyson was a fine fullback for Huddersfield and…

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Brighouse Rangers aim to scupper Orrell St James’ bid in BARLA showdown

A REAL ‘David and Goliath’ clash is in prospect on Sunday, when the BARLA National Cup final takes place at Featherstone Rovers.  Orrell St James,…

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London Rugby League community award winners revealed

THE legendary former Australian international Darren Lockyer and the famous PDRL international Adam Hills were chief guests at the prestigious London Rugby League Community Club…

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Talking Grassroots: ‘David and Goliath’ BARLA National Cup final awaits

I’VE described Sunday’s BARLA National Cup final in my preview as a ‘David and Goliath’ contest.  It’s a cliché, but it’s true (clichés usually are)….

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