Sat 4-Sun 5 Feb: Betfred Championship (Non-TV) Match Thread

[Man of Kent]

7 minutes ago, Northern Eel said:

Might just squeeze the 1k mark then.

 

Easily. 

[Guest]

9 minutes ago, Northern Eel said:

ANyway, back to the rugby. Another try for London. Your pessimism is mis-placed.

London definitely look commited and organised compared to this time last year. If somewhat limited. 

My concern would be the fuel tank. 

Shows what a coach who knows his job can do with a slimmed down squad and not just picking up a dozen ex Skolar and WWR players with no plan. 

I also expected more from Batley. 

[Northern Eel]

2 minutes ago, Leonard said:

London definitely look commited and organised compared to this time last year. If somewhat limited. 

My concern would be the fuel tank. 

Shows what a coach who knows his job can do with a slimmed down squad and not just picking up a dozen ex Skolar and WWR players with no plan. 

I also expected more from Batley. 

I don't think Batley will be in the mix at the top end this year, and suspect London have improved a little too. I am calling them both for lower-mid table finishes.

[Guest]

Capacity is 9200 but polarised to both sides. The main stand holds a few more than the open side but not by many would be my guess. 

[Jill Halfpenny fan]

Only one stand open at York but it looks pretty full

[Guest]

3 minutes ago, Northern Eel said:

I don't think Batley will be in the mix at the top end this year, and suspect London have improved a little too. I am calling them both for lower-mid table finishes.

Sounds about really right on this showing. Definitely far more kids and women at this game. Has a good feel to it. I get the impression most are enjoying the event with the game second fiddle. Which is something the game always seems to be striving for. 

Edited February 5, 2023 by Leonard

[Fevrover]

10 minutes ago, Northern Eel said:

I don't think Batley will be in the mix at the top end this year, and suspect London have improved a little too. I am calling them both for lower-mid table finishes.

I will be very surprised if Batley aren't in the mix again.

[Davo5]

Bradford 6-2 Whitehaven H-T

[Guest]

Batley level it. Was in line with that and was forward a good 5m.

Not sure what the lino was watching. 

[Northern Eel]

22-14 Bulldogs. The first daylight between the teams.

 

[Guest]

Game set and match.

Batley been far better in second half,albeit there was a 10 min period of some decisions I found a bit odd.

London all a bit toothless. 

[Just Browny]

4,870 at Bradford. Not awful but not quite a world record either.

[Davo5]

Bradford 24-8 Whitehaven,full time 

[NERugbyDad]

 

 

[Northern Eel]

Good win for Widnes at York that. 

[Phil W]

1 minute ago, NERugbyDad said:

 

 

Really pleased with the Thunder win, we know after last season it's probably not been the easiest time for anyone. Hope the lads enjoy it and then back to it in the week.

[Fevrover]

No surprise results today then.

[Hopping Mad]

Just in from the LNER. Deserved win - 19-12 - for Widnes. On the whole, Vikings were smarter, faster and bigger. And they knew the value of kicking for goal. Too many errors, in important parts of the pitch, from York. Scrum-half Liam Harris aside, Knights looked a bit short on ideas.

York City FC manage to announce their official attendances. Same stadium, yet no word on today's crowd from Knights. I can say four coach-loads of Widnes fans crossed the Pennines.

Admission was £20, with a 28-page programme available for £3.

[crashmon]

Was not at the game but looks like even though they lost, Seems that the vibe and event at London was much better than last years disaster vs Widnes, including the fact that the performance seemed much better than 12 months ago?

I'm guessing around 1K max looking at the pictures, but hopefully having Buck and Dusty and other events than the rugby might tempt folks back...

Did the London kit have a shirt sponser?  Can somebody at the game confirm

Edited February 5, 2023 by crashmon

[Guest]

9 minutes ago, crashmon said:

Was not at the game but looks like even though they lost, Seems that the vibe and event at London was much better than last years disaster vs Widnes, including the fact that the performance seemed much better than 12 months ago?

I'm guessing around 1K max looking at the pictures, but hopefully having Buck and Dusty and other events than the rugby might tempt folks back...

Did the London kit have a shirt sponser?  Can somebody at the game confirm

I wasn't looking out for it, didn't notice. 

[Guest]

https://twitter.com/LondonBroncosRL/status/1622245598152753152?s=20&t=NWIsBertFbmmF1wp2c2hfw

No would be the guess from the warm up video. I don't think they changed kit for the game.  

 

Edited February 5, 2023 by Leonard

[Gav Wilson]

2 hours ago, Jill Halfpenny fan said:

Only one stand open at York but it looks pretty full

The Widnes end made plenty of noise too!

[LeeF]

1 hour ago, Just Browny said:

4,870 at Bradford. Not awful but not quite a world record either.

To say how hard they pushed and with how it was the first game of the season the Bulls will be disappointed with that attendance

[JonM]

Good win for Widnes, really dominated the first half and yet somehow managed to be behind on the scoreboard at half-time. Millar was superb and Kieran Dixon on the opposite wing also had a very good game. York looked solid in defence and Kirmond looked dangerous on many occasions, but they looked a bit disorganised in attack - maybe a little more time needed for Cunningham & Harris to get to know each other?

[Niels]

3 hours ago, Fevrover said:

I will be very surprised if Batley aren't in the mix again.

It's good to have your faith.

We lost 2 key players but have replaced them well and have strengthened the pack. 

It was a good win today. 

Should be a good match tomorrow.