Fri 9th-Sun 11th Sept: The Betfred Championship Match Thread

[Fevrover]

2 hours ago, David Shepherd said:

Two of those "belters" came off the back of howlers from Mr Kendall too.

Can't have ,Fax fans haven't mentioned that!

[crashmon]

10 hours ago, ShropshireBull said:

Yes next year is a fascinating one for Widnes and playoffs. If Fax are spending less,Batley having a high turnover of players and York seemingly hitting their level it might bring them back closer.

We didnt get the playoff race we hoped but Keighley will be giving it a go also. If London stop being run like a joke I actually worry for Bulls and Newcastle about heading down.

London will never stop being run like a Joke until we have removed the existing CEO, and thats not going to happen.

London will finish around where they are today next year, a long way from the playoffs,but also good enough not to be relegated.  I do fear for Newcastle however.  On Bulls, I would expect you to be above London, but still a way from the playoffs.

[The Phantom Horseman]

1 hour ago, The Blues Ox said:

Yeah nothing on there that changes my mind and I think when the video comes out will offer a better angle. But you can see his arm reach out for the line so I guess its just a question if he makes that second movement.

Still looks a try to me but what is even more clear from the slo-mo video on RoversTV is that Briscoe's second half try was a brilliant finish, failrly evidently getting the ball down before he went into touch, and sadly the touch judge (who only had the benefit of only one viewing of course) got that wrong.

[ShropshireBull]

1 hour ago, The Blues Ox said:

What makes you think Fax are going to be spending less next season? Most of this years squad are already signed up for next year and it looks like only 3/4 will be leaving with some new additions already signed up. Im hoping we can be a bit further away from the chasing pack next year and a lot closer to Fev and Toulouse.

Just think club would calculate they are more than good enough for playoffs but nowhere near toulouse budget so can afford to cut slightly and still compete.

[ShropshireBull]

1 hour ago, Harry Stottle said:

I think apart from the last rites being administered Newcastle are busted, both off and on the field.

Maybe you are right which feels like a missed opportunity but owner has cut back with union team and will do so for next few years.

My hopeful head said he knows something about the criteria which is going to protect Newcastle and London going forward regardless (academy geographic diversity) so they will be locked in with a fixed amount every year of central funding and just keep it going from there.

[ShropshireBull]

29 minutes ago, crashmon said:

London will never stop being run like a Joke until we have removed the existing CEO, and thats not going to happen.

London will finish around where they are today next year, a long way from the playoffs,but also good enough not to be relegated.  I do fear for Newcastle however.  On Bulls, I would expect you to be above London, but still a way from the playoffs.

Way too early but assuming Leigh go up I have it as:

 

Toulouse Fev 

Fax,Widnes

Barrow York

Keighley, Batley

Sheffield London 

Bradford, Whitehaven

Newcastle, Team that comes up

As a Bulls fan I look at the league and think who can we realistically beat next year. Split with Team that comes up, a part time Newcastle, split with Haven. Then maybe pinch a game of London and Eagles. 

We aren’t beating Toulouse or Fev and in normal games we aren’t getting nothing off Fax Widnes Barrow either.  I dont see more than 16 points.

I think Keighley could be above York and do a Barrow mind.

Plus thinking about it if Doncaster come up they already get 1000 so you can add a couple of hundred to that plus a South Yorkshire derby to promote. Dont see anyone bar Newcastle getting cut adrift.

Edited September 12, 2022 by ShropshireBull

[Harry Stottle]

49 minutes ago, phiggins said:

Yes, but having seen Leigh in various play off capitulations over the years, would you bet on them?

This team yes, normally no.

[The Blues Ox]

48 minutes ago, The Phantom Horseman said:

Still looks a try to me but what is even more clear from the slo-mo video on RoversTV is that Briscoe's second half try was a brilliant finish, failrly evidently getting the ball down before he went into touch, and sadly the touch judge (who only had the benefit of only one viewing of course) got that wrong.

I thought it was a try on my first viewing, its just one of those where you see the flag go down and most people asume he must be in touch when wingers these days score those for fun.

[crashmon]

27 minutes ago, ShropshireBull said:

Way too early but assuming Leigh go up I have it as:

 

Toulouse Fev 

Fax,Widnes

Barrow York

Keighley, Batley

Sheffield London 

Bradford, Whitehaven

Newcastle, Team that comes up

As a Bulls fan I look at the league and think who can we realistically beat next year. Split with Team that comes up, a part time Newcastle, split with Haven. Then maybe pinch a game of London and Eagles. 

We aren’t beating Toulouse or Fev and in normal games we aren’t getting nothing off Fax Widnes Barrow either.  I dont see more than 16 points.

I think Keighley could be above York and do a Barrow mind.

Plus thinking about it if Doncaster come up they already get 1000 so you can add a couple of hundred to that plus a South Yorkshire derby to promote. Dont see anyone bar Newcastle getting cut adrift.

London over rated here,   I would have something like

 

Toulouse Fev Fax

Widnes Barrow Batley York

Keighley, Sheffield, Bradford

London 

Whitehaven, Team that comes up

Newcastle

 

[The Blues Ox]

27 minutes ago, ShropshireBull said:

Way too early but assuming Leigh go up I have it as:

 

Toulouse Fev 

Fax,Widnes

Barrow York

Keighley, Batley

Sheffield London 

Bradford, Whitehaven

Newcastle, Team that comes up

As a Bulls fan I look at the league and think who can we realistically beat next year. Split with Team that comes up, a part time Newcastle, split with Haven. Then maybe pinch a game of London and Eagles. 

We aren’t beating Toulouse or Fev and in normal games we aren’t getting nothing off Fax Widnes Barrow either.  I dont see more than 16 points.

I think Keighley could be above York and do a Barrow mind.

Plus thinking about it if Doncaster come up they already get 1000 so you can add a couple of hundred to that plus a South Yorkshire derby to promote. Dont see anyone bar Newcastle getting cut adrift.

Interesting you are so high on Widnes again and if my memory serves me right you were thinking the same last season. They would have to make a huge jump to leapfrog Batley, Barrow, and even York in my opinion never mind jumping in to a second group. Most of the rest I agree with although Keighley could be next years Barrow, I don't see them been alongside Batley but more in the Sheffield/London group. I can see Bradford in that group as well and Haven which in my eyes would leave a very clear bottom 2. Specualtion though until we hit next season.

[Ovenden Grunt]

1 hour ago, Fevrover said:

Can't have ,Fax fans haven't mentioned that!

I have on another forum.

[Barley Mow]

My eldest and I had an enjoyable afternoon yesterday as neutrals on our first visit to York's ground.

I look forward to returning to watch a few matches next year.

[Guest]

On 10/09/2022 at 20:06, The Blues Ox said:

Just a thought with the Queens funeral next Monday this will throw a spanner in the works of Premier showing a playoff game on that Monday as I can't imagine any games will be played.

Both on sunday B Barrow 3pm Fax 5.30 pm

[RS]

15 hours ago, JonM said:

I thought it had hit the post and not gone through, but, this being Odsal, I'm sure the referee had a better view.

It definitely went through Jon

Was the programme a hard copy thing or an online ecition Jon?

 

 

[paulwalker71]

17 hours ago, LeeF said:

 

Thanks Lee, that's very interesting

[JonM]

27 minutes ago, RS said:

It definitely went through Jon

Was the programme a hard copy thing or an online ecition Jon?

 

 

Online, here: https://indd.adobe.com/view/2848a2ca-05d3-44fb-94a6-bbee1d6a53ab

It doesn't seem quite so bad on a re-read, but still, I'm not sure that slagging off your ex coach and the current playing squad is what I would expect a CEO to do in the match programme.

[ShropshireBull]

2 hours ago, The Blues Ox said:

Interesting you are so high on Widnes again and if my memory serves me right you were thinking the same last season. They would have to make a huge jump to leapfrog Batley, Barrow, and even York in my opinion never mind jumping in to a second group. Most of the rest I agree with although Keighley could be next years Barrow, I don't see them been alongside Batley but more in the Sheffield/London group. I can see Bradford in that group as well and Haven which in my eyes would leave a very clear bottom 2. Specualtion though until we hit next season.

Fair point, I think I had Widnes in the mix with York and Batley for those playoffs. Just thought after a few horrible years of admin, then covid, then half a season this year would revitalise. 

Talk of more money coming into the club so money does tend to equal better (newcastle notwithstanding) plus John Kear at a club not as badly run as Bulls I fancy him. Also I think we will see some regression from Batley as squad sees turnover and clubs have more of a gameplan for Barrow. 

Think Keighley could easily come up with their great crowds , bit of cash and really roll some teams over there . 

Bulls I think will be in real trouble with the club off the field seemingly going backwards and I don´t think our budget will be anywhere near midtable, let alone playoffs. 

 

Edited September 12, 2022 by ShropshireBull

[ShropshireBull]

2 hours ago, crashmon said:

London over rated here,   I would have something like

 

Toulouse Fev Fax

Widnes Barrow Batley York

Keighley, Sheffield, Bradford

London 

Whitehaven, Team that comes up

Newcastle

 

Whitehaven could maybe be joining Newcastle in trapdoor, getting players is always tough and some lads might fancy winning a few games with Workington rather than another relegation scrap. For me depends on the team coming up, if its Donny I think they could give haven a real run in staying up, benefitting from being able to sell a big derby vs Sheffield. 

[binosh]

Just watched the highlights of Fax V Fev and the tries looked OK to me, only dubious one was Leilua which would probably be ruled out for obstruction by Hardcastle if it was a televised game.

[Niels]

Halifax v York is the tv game.

Disappointed as a Batley fan, but both matches deserved to be televised so someone was going to be disappointed.

I think the Batley game may be a closer match, as Halifax look very good at the moment. But York can play well too.

[The Blues Ox]

48 minutes ago, Niels said:

Halifax v York is the tv game.

Disappointed as a Batley fan, but both matches deserved to be televised so someone was going to be disappointed.

I think the Batley game may be a closer match, as Halifax look very good at the moment. But York can play well too.

Yeah I don't want to jinx it but I don't see the reason of picking the Fax game over the Barrow game. The only bonus is with it been on Sunday so we get a days more rest than we would have if they played it on the Monday like originally planned.

[Ragingbull]

2 hours ago, Niels said:

Halifax v York is the tv game.

Disappointed as a Batley fan, but both matches deserved to be televised so someone was going to be disappointed.

I think the Batley game may be a closer match, as Halifax look very good at the moment. But York can play well too.

Yep seems madness to pick the Blue Sox game.  

As a neutral im really dissapointed with that decision.

Anyone know whats happened to our league coverage or the sports man.   Absolutely rediculous only one play of game being covered.  I was surprised none of the league 1 games this weekend were covered either.    

Edited September 12, 2022 by Ragingbull

[The Phantom Horseman]

2 hours ago, binosh said:

Just watched the highlights of Fax V Fev and the tries looked OK to me, only dubious one was Leilua which would probably be ruled out for obstruction by Hardcastle if it was a televised game.

I'm biased but for me Hardcastle is running straight through the gap as a dummy runner between Keyes and Worthington but Worthington who initially thinks the play is going outside to Joey suddenly thinks it's going to Hardcastle and jams in to tackle him and knocks him to the floor, for me Worthington has made the wrong read and got too far upfield.

[David Shepherd]

18 hours ago, binosh said:

Just watched the highlights of Fax V Fev and the tries looked OK to me, only dubious one was Leilua which would probably be ruled out for obstruction by Hardcastle if it was a televised game.

Equally, you could argue that one of the dummy runners in the build up to 'fax's first try takes JSL out.

[The Blues Ox]

43 minutes ago, David Shepherd said:

Equally, you could argue that one of the dummy runners in the build up to 'fax's first try takes JSL out.

Oh you saw that but you didn't see......