Billy King's Boots

For me it was the archetypal story of two teams in very different places mentally. Whitehaven are on a real roll at the moment, and playing with confidence. They're thinking "As long as we can stay in this game, we can win it." Hornets, conversely, are a team in a losing run and look short on confidence. Even when they got back in the game, you could sense the attitude shift into "We must not lose this game" - and that panic breeds poor decision-making, poor discipline, pushed passes, nerves in key positions the errors that come with the palpable tension. As such, Whitehaven didn't have to do much for the win - just wait for Hornets' nerves to kick in and capitalise as we handed them the ball or gifted them field position. At Barrow, there was no pressure. Expected to lose, it was free swing and the players looked much more relaxed and 'in the zone'. It was always going to be a gruelling challenge this season - and it's proven to be so.

Needs a bigger sponsor.

I imagine, given the 'gap' in the fixtures, that players from both teams had booked time away with their families / mates.

Given their financial situation, it seems that York have enough cash to run a very good Championship team (Newcastle) but a very poor SL team. Maybe they need to prioritise where their money/resources/focus goes. Newcastle Thunder do have something of the bodysnatchers about them, though. Was up there at the weekend. Couldn't have been more than 120 people watching. About 30 Rochdale fans dotted around in the sun, and about half of the remainder wearing York shirts (Guess its worth the trip to watch your very expensive players win games). At the moment though, Newcastle basically seems like the equivalent of a Turkish barber or a vape shop - a front for diverting York's cash into 'off the books' recipients.

First Double over Swinton for over a decade. 'ave it!

North West Counties?

And North Sydney aren't far behind, either.

Newtown Jets might just disagree with you there, buddy.

At least the fans are consistent...

Fulham at home midweek in the early 80s was certainly lower

Not close - and also no cigar.

Top predicting. Complete demolition job by Hornets. Sheffield scored late on to give the score the veneer of a contest.

In Sydney, you can watch NRL games for $40 - about £21 - for a GA ticket. Standalone NSW Cup games are $20 and Sydney Shield (4th tier) $10. In comparison, British RL - especially in the second tier is expensive - and NCL games are significantly cheaper.

Rochdale Hornets - since April 1871. Way ahead of the curve.

Apology accepted.