Sun 2nd June : Coral Challenge Cup QF : Bradford Bulls v Halifax RLFC KO 2:45pm BBC2 TV

[Old Frightful]

Discuss the Coral Challenge Cup QF between Bradford Bulls and Halifax RLFC here.

[Bulliac]

I think the line-ups will be interesting with both sides losing last weekend. The Bulls didn't lose at Fev they got a shellacking, though there were a few, largely forced, changes made from what would have been regarded as the 'usual' line up. Even then the 'regulars' who did play didn't play well, but I think that Kear will stick the tried and trusted as that's his usual MO - if "trusted" is the right word after Sunday's debacle. 

My reason for thinking he may stick with those players is that they let themselves down badly late in the game and they must realise that a much different attitude will be required. Fax are a good side, so I'm not counting any chickens, but I fancy us at home for this one, though in truth absolutely nothing would surprise me.

[Phil]

52 minutes ago, Bulliac said:

I think the line-ups will be interesting with both sides losing last weekend. The Bulls didn't lose at Fev they got a shellacking, though there were a few, largely forced, changes made from what would have been regarded as the 'usual' line up. Even then the 'regulars' who did play didn't play well, but I think that Kear will stick the tried and trusted as that's his usual MO - if "trusted" is the right word after Sunday's debacle. 

My reason for thinking he may stick with those players is that they let themselves down badly late in the game and they must realise that a much different attitude will be required. Fax are a good side, so I'm not counting any chickens, but I fancy us at home for this one, though in truth absolutely nothing would surprise me.

Ditto Fax, we were poor at Batley, they ran harder, dominated in defence and just wanted it more.

improvement required but I’m going for Fax by 8 

[Oxford]

Who will win?

It's a hard one this as it's already a win win with a championship team in the semi!

More magic than the magic that is!

[The Blues Ox]

I would have been confident for this game had we not been so dire against Batley. Have to hope the rotating of the squad last week pays off. Fax by 14.

[cookey]

Should be a useful revenue generator for who ever wins,both in terms of tickets,merchandise and general mood around the successful club.May the better team win.

[Chronicler of Chiswick]

I'll say Bradford as they're the home side, but it could even go to golden point.

[Sparse Attendance]

Are Bradford hoping for a decent turnout ?. 

[Denton Rovers RLFC]

'Fax on the basis that I'd rather see them go through than Bradford 2016 or whatever incarnation they are these days. After the silliness post their win against Leeds saying they were a SL side, the poster must feel somewhat stupid since they've shown us they are nowhere near being a SL team currently on the back of their performances.

Maybe the win against Leeds went to their heads, who knows but if they play as they did against Leeds then they should be favourites, hoping it's a belter.

[Bulliac]

4 hours ago, Denton Rovers RLFC said:

'Fax on the basis that I'd rather see them go through than Bradford 2016 or whatever incarnation they are these days. After the silliness post their win against Leeds saying they were a SL side, the poster must feel somewhat stupid since they've shown us they are nowhere near being a SL team currently on the back of their performances.

Maybe the win against Leeds went to their heads, who knows but if they play as they did against Leeds then they should be favourites, hoping it's a belter.

I don't know a single person who thinks we're anywhere near good enough for SL. Yes, I've read the odd post, on boards, from individuals with no common sense but please don't think this is in any way representative. If they had a meeting they'd struggle to raise a quorum.

[Denton Rovers RLFC]

27 minutes ago, Bulliac said:

I don't know a single person who thinks we're anywhere near good enough for SL. Yes, I've read the odd post, on boards, from individuals with no common sense but please don't think this is in any way representative. If they had a meeting they'd struggle to raise a quorum.

There was a certain regular here who stated that Bradford were a SL club pretty much a few minutes after the result, almost based on the attendance alone but I can't be sure.

[fairfolly]

Aye, but he is a Man of Kent. I will concur with Bulliac,the Bulls are nowhere near a S.L. team.Maybe in 2 or 3 years but certainly not now.As long as they retain there Championship place is a successful season for me especially for the supporters who have been through the wringer for a fair number of years.

[Bulliac]

16 hours ago, Denton Rovers RLFC said:

There was a certain regular here who stated that Bradford were a SL club pretty much a few minutes after the result, almost based on the attendance alone but I can't be sure.

Well, yes - a single post post completely without context - tells us everything, I suppose...

[Konkrete]

Hoping for a Bulls win, obviously, but it's going to be a step up from the last round and a reet battle.  As always Murrell is the key. Stopping him and Grix running the game is the priority. For us Kear has some decisions to make, particulalrly at full back and on the bench.  Green is out and I've no idea if Pelz has recovered from the mysterious illness at Fev last week.  Going into the game with only two real props would really worry me.

 

It's been a long time since we've been in a cup semi-final and it would be marvellous for the club if we could get there (although some of us remember the last semi-final trip to Bolton!).  If not then we wish Halifax all the best... and hope they get Saints. 

[Bulliac]

Don't remind me of that one! Mind, it didn't put me off as I went to the away game at Wigan shortly afterwards. I seem to remember we 'just' lost that onetoo, the night Wigan were presented with the championship trophy. They were a damned good side, though, to be fair.

[Mumby Magic]

Well I'm on me jollies and will be spending Sunday Morning finding somewhere to watch it. (Sunny Beach Bulgaria)

I said to the Fax fan at work we'll lose the Bash and win the semi so I'll stick with that. For me, yes I know we have injuries, but we are a couple of players short of a top 5 team let alone SL. An experienced 7 would be good.

Seen the squad and likely side is:

Ryan

FJ

Webster

Oakes

Grant

Lilley

Milnes

Crossley

Wildie

Kirk

Storton

Farrell

Minicheddars

Subs

Peltier

Flanagan

From Wood/Pickesgill Roche, Hallas

I'd have Roche in 17 but Kear hasn't always played him

 

 

[fairfolly]

Been around the Northern/Bulls for far,far to long to forecast any game the Bulls play. Nothing surprises me anymore, a big loss, a big win or even golden point.The only thing that surprise me in R.L. is how Hull can lose by 55 one week and the week after win by 50 against a far superior side ????

[Charlie RL]

Close to call.  Both teams will want to improve from last week and perform well on TV.  It could be a good match showcasing the championship. Great crowd at Bradford last round which may urge both teams on.  Bradford to win? 

[Wolford6]

18 hours ago, Konkrete said:

 ... some of us remember the last semi-final trip to Bolton!           

I go to all the games with my mate. After that one, we got back to the car and he'd been given a parking ticket.

[Wolford6]

Without James Green, we're down to two out-and-out bashers ... Steve Crossley and Ross Peltier ... so we definitely need:

 - Mikey Wood to play and Jake Webster to do a fair bit of third tackle bashing.

- a change to the sterile game-plan. Let the backs see some ball in the first half; try and create some broken play to let Foggy loose

- Brandon Pickersgill on the bench. I thought he was one of the few to pull his finger out at Fev last week. And he's got some flair.

[Sir Kevin Sinfield]

I hope Bradford win this, it’ll be great for their fans to go to a CC Semi Final after everything the clubs been through.

[northamptoncougar]

I hope Bradford don’t win this,I actually hope Bradford never win anything, that’ll never change.

[clogdance]

I can see Fax 'nicking' this one....

[Chronicler of Chiswick]

The nasty thought that I've had about this game is that it would appear to effectively decide which of the other three winners gets the bye into the final. Can't see anything other than a big defeat in the semis for today's winner, much as I'd love to be proved wrong.

[doc]

Look, I've had to rearrange things and whatever so I can sit and watch this game. So it better be a good one!!