Dan Taye-Sinferno

Delighted for the Raiders, especially for their skipper Joe Burke and coach Ash Bateman, in getting a victory with the vast majority of their players coming from South and West Wales. The Skolars have,I believe, a mainly local side also whereas Cornwall are bringing down shedloads of northern based players and the Midlands Hurricanes might as well rename themselves the Yorkshire Hurricanes. Long term it will be interesting to see who is right in their approach.

WWR seem to stagger from one crisis to another but according to their statement on twitter they seem to have made great efforts to find a replacement. I can also remember having to wait till 4.05 for a 3pm kick off at Keighley while we waited for a doctor to arrive and travelling to Cheltenham for a Glos All Golds match v Hemel Stags which was postponed around kick off time as there was no doctor available so it has happened elsewhere. The All Golds were allowed to replay their match but not WWR this time - maybe indicative of the RFL running out of patience with the Raiders. I assume it is for insurance purposes but I can't understand otherwise why a fully qualified emergency paramedic shouldn't be used they are probably better experienced at dealing with serious injuries than your usual general practicioner.

Apologies I had forgotten Lewis Palfrey scored 34 points (11 goals and three tries) at Hemel Stags in August 2015

Re J Royales query about record winning margin - Sunday's 96 point difference equalled a 102-6 victory over WWR in July 2018 at the Vestacare. Incidently Martyn Ridyard's 14 goal haul equalled that of Bernard Ganley against Liverpool City in 1959 and was 1 more than Andy Ballard's 13 goal record for the "new club". Martyn's 32 points was however 2 behind the 34 points in a match record shared by Andy Ballard and Chris Baines.

Whatever happens with the Raiders I am sure Ash Bateman will put his heart and soul into the job. I have seen him play at centre,stand off,hooker and in the back row for the Raiders and never gave less than 100%. Good luck to him.

This subject was covered a little when the Cornwall RL thread" moved northwards to Llanelli" a short time ago. The club desperately needs an experienced coach (like Cornwall's Neil Kelly) and an experienced administrator to run it better than it is at present. Firstly we must give the Raiders credit for rescuing Welsh semi pro Rugby league when the people from Merthyr washed their hands of the South Wales Scorpions part way through 2017. That credit has long since run out though. The first season was a shambles with huge defeats and often less than 17 players available on match day. Great improvements were made in year 2 when Kim Williams was the coach but the club has regressed again. For the last game of last season only 9 players were originally available and it was only through the efforts of 2 players in particular in getting new players in at short notice and the loan of 2 Barrow based amateurs that the game could go ahead. Its "deja vu all over again" this season as only 5 players have been announced,with a further one to come, no head coach is in sight and the 3 assistant coaches would seem to have little coaching experience. The players are certainly not to blame there have been some absolute stalwarts turning out over the last 4 seasons in the knowledge that a heavy defeat was probably coming their way. Most of these have had enough though and left the club. I really hope the situation can be sorted out as there is plenty of potential for a successful South Welsh team but not I fear with the present set up.

Re Peter Tiffin and the administration of the Raiders - the club appear to be making the same mistakes every year. To date they seem to have announced only 4 players signed so far, they have no head coach and the three assistant coaches would seem to have little rugby league coaching experience. Last season when they had only nine players available initially for the Barrow match I heard that it was two of the players who did most of the chasing round to fill the gaps and this season it would appear could be similar. There are difficulties of course, the geographical isolation of the club, the presence of a world famous union club in town etc. but the great potential for a successful club in South Wales,which most people would hopefully welcome, is presently being wasted. I wish the Raiders all the best and would love to see them prosper but I fear for the worst.

Interesting upbeat article in the Oldham Roughyeds news section regarding Cornwall (entitled Cornish venture could be a wow says Alex). Ignoring details of change of ownership,location etc. I have to agree with Mr C's comments re WWR and player recruitment. IMHO the Raiders made a mistake in thinking that Welsh pride and spirit could overcome the fact that the player in front of you is 2 stones heavier,2 inches taller,half a yard faster and has been playing league for years. If Cornwall go down the same "locals" route they will probably" enjoy" a similar first season that the Raiders had.