Hopping Mad

Crowds from three games at Arena '84 (sorry, Fartown) I attended during the second half of the 1980s: 6/4/86 v Blackpool 382 17/4/86 v Keighley 303 (the lowest ever for a first team home game) 31/1/88 v Whitehaven 336 Huddersfield RLFC have come a long way from that nadir!

Waterhead-Featherstone has been switched to Post Office Road (Saturday, 2.0). Warriors say they "couldn't manage to secure a suitable venue" in the Oldham area. Boundary Park was ruled out, it seems, because of a need to protect its pitch during a spell of heavy use.

Dewsbury Moor Maroons v Dewsbury Rams confirmed for Saturday, 25th @ Mount Pleasant, Batley (2.0).

Hunslet ARLFC are doing a printed programme for Saturday's (25/1) second round tie with West Hull.

1,745 (plus circa 400+ kids using free tickets) attended, I gather.

Why are we kicking off at 3.30, in midwinter, when the floodlights are rubbish? [For the benefit of York fans: floodlights are pylons with bulbs on top]

Would that be at the South Leeds or at Headingley?

I wasn't going to bother this season. So few clubs doing printed programmes now. According to their socials, Dewsbury Moor Maroons were doing one last Saturday.

FT Eastern Rhinos 4 Wests Warriors 66 Three tries for Jack Payne. Warriors ran in 12 tries, including two to Willie Poching. Two tries and nine goals for Reiss Walker.

Aberavon led 16-14 with 20 to go, according to Blackbrook's socials.

Bloke who lives close to Aldershot went along. Says P-P was the right call because, in a few places, the pitch was frozen. With players coming from all over, the teams gave it as long as possible.

Just about to settle down to watch that.

Just been called off. Ince Rose Bridge statement: It is with heavy hearts that we announce today’s Challenge Cup match has been called off following the [1pm] pitch inspection. The effort from our club, volunteers, and community over the past few days has been nothing short of phenomenal. From working day and night, to local businesses donating heaters, everyone came together to do all that was in our power - and more - to ensure this game could go ahead. This effort was even more meaningful knowing that Longhorns RLC made tremendous arrangements to travel from Ireland for this fixture, with their trip already paid. The commitment from both clubs and the community showcases the true spirit of rugby league. While we’re all disappointed, we couldn’t be prouder of the teamwork and dedication that’s been shown. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped—your efforts have not gone unnoticed. We’ll share updates on the next steps as soon as we can. Stay tuned, and thank you again.

1pm pitch inspection at Ince Rose Bridge who, in a statement issued this morning, said: "It's been a monumental effort from our incredible volunteers who have worked tirelessly and against all odds to prepare the pitch for today's Challenge Cup clash. The dedication and teamwork from everyone involved have been absolutely unreal. A massive thank you to all who've lent a hand. "The Longhorns have now arrived, and the RFL will conduct a pitch inspection at 1pm. We're all eagerly awaiting the outcome and keeping everything crossed! Stay tuned for updates, and let's hope we can get this game on and make it a day to remember!"

Huddersfield RUFC's Lockwood Park is probably bigger and better than the YMCA/Laund Hill ground. That said, the latter has staged/is staging rugby league - on a regular basis. IIRC, when in the NCL, Underbank Rangers played at least one game at Lockwood Park. Neither ground is anywhere near Super League standard.

Ties at West Bowling and West Hull called off this morning. West Bowling statement: "Temperatures are forecast to remain below freezing. Based on expert advice from the [Horsfall] stadium's pitch installers, we will be unable to clear the pitch [of snow] without risking irreversible damage to its structure. The combination of snow and ice adhering to the pitch fibres and crumb presents significant challenges. The game will be rescheduled for next week. Stay tuned."

Got to laugh at David Bosomworth's reference to "difficult financial times". This is an owner who invests no more than is required simply to fulfil the fixtures, and appears to have little interest in growing the crowds of FC Halifax Town, whose average has dropped, season on season, since COVID. 1,817 is FCHT's 2024-25 average. 2023-24, 1,946; 2022-23, 2,192; 2021-22, 2,284. Bosomworth will love, love, love the idea of Ken Davy footing the bill to breathe life into the crumbling, inadequate Shay.

GB Police-York Acorn (Sunday) is off. No news on rescheduling.

Mirfield-Royal Navy is off. New date to be confirmed. On their socials, Mirfield state: "Every effort has been made to get the game on, but we cannot control the temperatures, which are preventing the field from thawing and becoming playable. "We also have to bear in mind the logistics for our opponents, who are travelling from the south coast and have accommodation booked, which is why the decision has been taken today. "A provisional date of Saturday 18th January has been identifed for the rearranged game. This will be confirmed in due course following discussions between both clubs and sign-off from the RFL." Thatto Heath Crusaders-Orrell St James is also off. New date - TBC - either January 18 or 19.

Dewsbury Moor-Haresfinch is off. Rescheduled for January 18 (2.0).

Only the pitch and overgrown banking survives. A few portable buildings, on the site of the former main stand, were put up for dressing rooms. St Joseph's ARL played at Fartown for a while before merging with Lindley Swifts ARL and moving to their ground, at Birchencliffe. Ken Davy claims Huddersfield spent a considerable amount of time and money, examining the possibility of returning to Fartown, before deciding it's a non-starter. Some of the site is in private hands now. Still no parking, either. My money is on a Halifax-Huddersfield merger - the one that should have happened in 1996.

I don't think Ken Davy should be worried. The online version of the Halifax Courier ran an interview, earlier this week, with one of the group of FC Halifax Town supporters. It indicated, clearly, the fans own barely a pot between them.

Newcastle Thunder will play their home games, for at least the next two years, at Blaydon RUFC's Crow Trees ground, Swalwell. The clubs have reached agreement, and the RFL has rubber-stamped the move. On their socials, Thunder stated: "It’s a site packed with sporting history and nothing says 'Toon' like the roar of Blaydon Races." Also on socials, Blaydon RU chairman Jim Houghton stated: “We are delighted to welcome Newcastle Thunder to our club and to be their host for at least the next two years. We see the partnership as a huge opportunity for both clubs to grow and cement our position as leading lights in the North East rugby scene.”

Former TV producer Britt Allcroft, creator of Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends, 81. https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/britt-allcroft-thomas-the-tank-engine-dead-b2673177.html

Singer Wayne Osmond, 73. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/jan/02/wayne-osmond-dies-aged-73?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=bluesky&CMP=bsky_gu