Challenge Cup 2025

[JohnM]

49 minutes ago, Gav Wilson said:

I'd rather read more amateurish rants than AI slop. 

I understand that you might prefer more authentic, personal writing over something that feels artificial. I can try to provide responses that sound more informal or passionate, similar to a rant, if that’s what you're looking for. Just let me know how you'd like me to approach it! (Says ChatGPT )

Edited January 7 by JohnM

[Archie Gordon]

18 minutes ago, Impartial Observer said:

...

I understand that the first round losers get £500 and there is a grant for coach travel so I doubt if there is any actual cost for them at the end of the day. Does anyone know what the financial rewards were in the past they mention?

 

There is a travel grant but my memory is that it wouldn't fully cover an away coach trip so a club would be out of pocket with an away draw in another region. Wath Brow were drawn away in Yorkshire for R1 with another potential trip to Yorkshire in R2.

[Impartial Observer]

45 minutes ago, Archie Gordon said:

There is a travel grant but my memory is that it wouldn't fully cover an away coach trip so a club would be out of pocket with an away draw in another region. Wath Brow were drawn away in Yorkshire for R1 with another potential trip to Yorkshire in R2.

When they play a pro team I think they share the gate money but that may not be much at Sheffield 

[sam4731]

3 hours ago, RP London said:

all they had to do was chuck it into chat gpt and ask it to be rewritten as a professional statement. 

Club Statement

Wath Brow Hornets ARLFC regret to inform you that we will not be participating in this season's Challenge Cup. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause West Bowling ARLFC.

Prior to the Christmas break, our Head Coach expressed concerns regarding player welfare and the potential for injury in Challenge Cup matches scheduled for early January. The risk of injury is heightened due to the limited preparation time available for amateur clubs.

The RFL's own mandate dictates a non-contact pre-season until late February. Allowing these fixtures to proceed contradicts this guidance and is detrimental to the well-being of amateur players.

The 2024 season for our club concluded in mid-October. The RFL has consistently advised a longer off-season to allow players adequate recovery time, regardless of Challenge Cup participation.

We are concerned about the potential for amateur clubs to compete against well-conditioned professional clubs, whose pre-season training began earlier and is more intensive. These fixtures present a significant risk to amateur players.

The actual National Conference League (NCL) season does not commence until March, which is appropriate.

The financial rewards associated with these Cup games are no longer substantial and often do not outweigh the costs for amateur clubs. Given the risks outlined, the lack of financial incentive, and our commitment to following the RFL's mandatory guidance, Wath Brow Hornets ARLFC have decided to withdraw from the competition.

Yours in Rugby League,

Wath Brow Hornets ARLFC

Courtesy of Gemini (Google's answer to ChatGPT)

[Worzel]

44 minutes ago, sam4731 said:

Club Statement

Wath Brow Hornets ARLFC regret to inform you that we will not be participating in this season's Challenge Cup. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause West Bowling ARLFC.

Prior to the Christmas break, our Head Coach expressed concerns regarding player welfare and the potential for injury in Challenge Cup matches scheduled for early January. The risk of injury is heightened due to the limited preparation time available for amateur clubs.

The RFL's own mandate dictates a non-contact pre-season until late February. Allowing these fixtures to proceed contradicts this guidance and is detrimental to the well-being of amateur players.

The 2024 season for our club concluded in mid-October. The RFL has consistently advised a longer off-season to allow players adequate recovery time, regardless of Challenge Cup participation.

We are concerned about the potential for amateur clubs to compete against well-conditioned professional clubs, whose pre-season training began earlier and is more intensive. These fixtures present a significant risk to amateur players.

The actual National Conference League (NCL) season does not commence until March, which is appropriate.

The financial rewards associated with these Cup games are no longer substantial and often do not outweigh the costs for amateur clubs. Given the risks outlined, the lack of financial incentive, and our commitment to following the RFL's mandatory guidance, Wath Brow Hornets ARLFC have decided to withdraw from the competition.

Yours in Rugby League,

Wath Brow Hornets ARLFC

Courtesy of Gemini (Google's answer to ChatGPT)

Shame it didn't correct the (presumably deliberately misleading) errors about RFL mandates on training.

It's pretty poor form to sign up to a comp, and then mislead people into thinking it's the RFL's fault that you've had to pull out because they've put your players' welfare at risk. Shameful in fact.

 

[JohnM]

I think we've started something. Maybe we can put all our posts via Gemini, Copllot etc. Now the fun begins!

Or:

It sounds like you're ready to embrace the AI revolution! Using tools like Gemini and Copilot can definitely streamline the process and add a touch of professionalism to your posts. Plus, it can be fun to see how AI can enhance your communication. If you need any help or have any specific requests, feel free to let me know. Let's make this journey exciting and productive!

[Griff]

1 hour ago, Impartial Observer said:

When they play a pro team I think they share the gate money but that may not be much at Sheffield 

Doesn't happen any more.

However, most of the financial arrangements are no longer publicly available in the on-line version of the RL regs. 

[sam4731]

46 minutes ago, JohnM said:

I think we've started something. Maybe we can put all our posts via Gemini, Copllot etc. Now the fun begins!

Or:

It sounds like you're ready to embrace the AI revolution! Using tools like Gemini and Copilot can definitely streamline the process and add a touch of professionalism to your posts. Plus, it can be fun to see how AI can enhance your communication. If you need any help or have any specific requests, feel free to let me know. Let's make this journey exciting and productive!

Or if you want that in a more whimsical tone.

We seem to have conjured something magical! Perhaps we should weave all our words through the threads of Gemini and Copilot. The enchantment is just beginning!"

It sounds like you're ready to dance with the digital sprites! Tools like Gemini and Copilot can add a sprinkle of pixie dust to your posts, making them sparkle with elegance. Let me know if you need a guiding star or a mischievous nudge along the way. Let's make this journey a delightful adventure!

[Gooleboy]

3 hours ago, Impartial Observer said:

When they play a pro team I think they share the gate money but that may not be much at Sheffield 

A couple of quid if they don't take a decent away following.

[Impartial Observer]

1 hour ago, Griff said:

Doesn't happen any more.

However, most of the financial arrangements are no longer publicly available in the on-line version of the RL regs. 

It must do otherwise the home club keep all the gate reciepts and the away team get nothing

[Griff]

1 hour ago, Impartial Observer said:

It must do otherwise the home club keep all the gate reciepts and the away team get nothing

Amateur teams get a flat fee.

[billybison]

56 minutes ago, Griff said:

Amateur teams get a flat fee.

No they don't my club Hunslet ARLFC played Wakefield last year and our share of the gate was over £10,000.

[Impartial Observer]

I think a couple of years ago one of the London community clubs were drawn Widnes at home but reversed the fixture to get more money from the game

[SUPERSTUD]

11 hours ago, RigbyLuger said:

That's what the statement says, but others have contradicted it. If they want to play in it, then they can take the measures to do so, as, I'm assuming here, every other club involved has. The line about finance sticks out.

That’s what struck me. If we were going to benefit financially then we may conform. Yep sad situation basically. If the current format remains going forward then IMHO a ban for the Brow is inevitable.

[Damien]

Coverage this weekend:

The Road to Wembley gets underway this weekend, with the first round of the Betfred Challenge Cup kick starting the 2025 season. BBC Sport begin their cup coverage on Saturday at the home of last year's NCL Division 1 Champions Waterhead Warriors, who host fellow NCL Premier Division new boys Leigh Miners Rangers (12:30 KO), before Thatto Heath take on Orrell St James in a repeat of the 2024 BARLA National Cup Final LIVE on The Sportsman (14:00 KO).

[Barley Mow]

7 minutes ago, Damien said:

Coverage this weekend:

The Road to Wembley gets underway this weekend, with the first round of the Betfred Challenge Cup kick starting the 2025 season. BBC Sport begin their cup coverage on Saturday at the home of last year's NCL Division 1 Champions Waterhead Warriors, who host fellow NCL Premier Division new boys Leigh Miners Rangers (12:30 KO), before Thatto Heath take on Orrell St James in a repeat of the 2024 BARLA National Cup Final LIVE on The Sportsman (14:00 KO).

Thatto Heath v Orrell St James is a 2:30 KO according to RFL and The Sportsman. I assume to try to prevent the two broadcast matches from overlapping.

[Chronicler of Chiswick]

15 hours ago, sam4731 said:

Or if you want that in a more whimsical tone.

We seem to have conjured something magical! Perhaps we should weave all our words through the threads of Gemini and Copilot. The enchantment is just beginning!"

It sounds like you're ready to dance with the digital sprites! Tools like Gemini and Copilot can add a sprinkle of pixie dust to your posts, making them sparkle with elegance. Let me know if you need a guiding star or a mischievous nudge along the way. Let's make this journey a delightful adventure!

[Damien]

2 minutes ago, Barley Mow said:

Thatto Heath v Orrell St James is a 2:30 KO according to RFL and The Sportsman. I assume to try to prevent the two broadcast matches from overlapping.

Well the RFL's email today then was incorrect if that's the case 

[Barley Mow]

1 minute ago, Damien said:

Well the RFL's email today then was incorrect if that's the case 

They should be able to get it right!

https://www.rugby-league.com/match-centre/match-preview/2299649

[chisholm]

Just a quick update, the Ince Rose Bridge v Longhorns fixture is now a 2pm kick off. This is due to the travel arrangements of Longhorns. 

 

[Just Browny]

Stating the obvious probably but I'd expect to see a lot of postponements this weekend, especially those games in West Yorkshire / Rochdale / Oldham. Temperatures are already below freezing and falling, and are not likely to sneak much above zero until the weekend.

[RP London]

21 hours ago, Gav Wilson said:

I'd rather read more amateurish rants than AI slop. 

Maybe, but the point is that it really isnt that hard to get something that sounds less, well sh*t frankly.. I wouldnt put that into AI i would just write it better to be honest but, again, the point was that it isnt hard to write something better than that. 

Using the correct words would be a start!

Edited January 8 by RP London

[RP London]

18 minutes ago, RP London said:

Maybe, but the point is that it really isnt that hard to get something that sounds less, well sh*t frankly.. I wouldnt put that into AI i would just write it better to be honest but, again, the point was that it isnt hard to write something better than that. 

Using the correct words would be a start!

or in AI:

Perhaps, but the point is that it’s really not that difficult to craft something more polished and appropriate. Personally, I wouldn’t rely on AI to improve it; I would simply write it better myself. That said, the main point remains—it doesn’t take much effort to produce something of higher quality.

Choosing the right words would be a good place to start!

Or in AI as a victorian gentleman

Indeed, one might concede the possibility, yet the crux of the matter is that it requires little effort to compose a piece of prose that is more refined and agreeable. Were it my undertaking, I would not entrust such a task to mechanical contrivances, but rather, I would pen it anew with my own hand. Nevertheless, the essential point remains — a more eloquent and judicious composition is hardly a challenge to produce.

A careful selection of the most fitting words would be an excellent beginning!

or as kermit the frog

Well, uh, maybe! But, you see, the point is, it’s really not all that hard to write something that sounds a little, um, less terrible—frankly! If it were me, I wouldn’t rely on AI for that; I’d just try to write it better myself! But, again, the point is that it doesn’t take much effort to come up with something better than that.

You know, starting with the right words would be a pretty good idea! Kermit flail

 

I probably need to get a life to be fair

[Impartial Observer]

2 hours ago, Just Browny said:

Stating the obvious probably but I'd expect to see a lot of postponements this weekend, especially those games in West Yorkshire / Rochdale / Oldham. Temperatures are already below freezing and falling, and are not likely to sneak much above zero until the weekend.

I have heard Thatto is frozen , Dewsbuty Moor  covered in snow

[hunsletgreenandgold]

On 02/12/2024 at 18:41, Barley Mow said:

Round 1

1. West Hull v Edinburgh

2. London Chargers v Oulton Raiders

3. Longhorns v Ince Rose Bridge

4. Lock Lane v Doncaster Toll Bar

5. Hammersmith Hills Hoists v Siddal

6. Waterhead v Leigh Miners Rangers

7. GB Police v York Acorn

8. Aberavon Fighting Irish v Blackbrook

9. Mirfield v Royal Navy

10. Crosfields v Maryport

11. Army v RAF

12. Stanley Rangers v Hunslet Ams

13. W Bowling v Wath Brow

14. Eastern Rhinos v Wests Warriors

15. Dewsbury Moor v Haresfinch

16. Rochdale Mayfield v Telford Raiders

17. Thatto Heath v Orrell St James

If more than 5 of these fixtures go ahead i'll be shocked.