It's an often discussed topic in taphouses and bar rooms across Northern Britain, should Rugby League outside of Super League return to winter?
Considering the season starts at the end of January or early February, we already have it, and this year so far has been a bit of a nightmare for teams due to the snow of Christmas and January.
Freezing and wintry conditions continue to wreak havoc in the amateur and junior games while Tony Benson at Oldham has admitted that the only real time his squad have been able to get on the pitch was their three pre-season friendlies.
On getting up this morning to find more of the white stuff, my heart sank. Then the call came through - the Leigh v Oldham Northern Rail Cup game was still on!
Other games not so lucky this weekend at time of writing are:
Sheffield v Halifax
Rochdale v York
Workington v Swinton
Some would argue that we are already playing in winter. In fact we play rugby league in all seasons.
Now there's an advertising slogan - Rugby League - The game for all seasons!
Perhaps I'll not give up the day job just yet!
Showing posts with label Adverse Weather. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Adverse Weather. Show all posts
Sunday, 31 January 2010
Friday, 24 July 2009
Adverse Weather
What's the worst weather you've watched rugby in?
There are a couple of games that stand out for me.
November 1992, Steve Simms first game at Leigh. He had a watching brief while Dennis Ramsdale did all the preparation and controlled the bench. I was at the game with my Grandad and we stood at the Glebe Street end of Hilton Park. About 5 minutes before kick off it began.
A hail shower, light at first before growing stronger and stronger.
I remember a lot of people running for cover and shelter in the Tommy Sale Stand as the hail came down harder and harder stinging my face but we stood there, cheering the lads on as they outplayed a previously unbeaten St Helens and won through 11-6 on a filthy night.
Another game that stands out was one against Swinton in 2003 when they played at Salford City FC's Moor Lane ground, as well as Simon Knox playing a blinding game against Leigh, there was the full range of weather from the four seasons, starting with blinding sunshine, then snow, then hail and a biting rain. Leigh struggled but with Michael Watts in good form, they eventually won 24-10.
A few weeks ago there was that game on SKY TV between Castleford and Leeds which was played in a raging thunderstorm.
I know despite of everything, only 2 or 3 games were ever abandoned at Hilton Park, although places like Odsal Stadium in Bradford, the old Watersheddings in Oldham and Thrum Hall in Halifax frequently had their own microclimate and must have seen more than their fair share of games abandoned down the years.
Before my time, my dad and Grandads often spoke about a game during Leigh's championship winning season against Widnes which the home side won 18-5 at Hilton Park while roads around the area were being closed due to blizzard and Arctic like conditions.
If we talk about periods of time for adverse weather then we've got to look at the harsh winters of the 60s when in 62/63 sport in this country virtually came to a standstill for 3 months and football, rugby league and rugby union had to extend their seasons. I think in one of Mike Latham's excellent books it lists there being THREE months without fixtures and all down to the weather.
Perhaps we are spoiled these days?
There are a couple of games that stand out for me.
November 1992, Steve Simms first game at Leigh. He had a watching brief while Dennis Ramsdale did all the preparation and controlled the bench. I was at the game with my Grandad and we stood at the Glebe Street end of Hilton Park. About 5 minutes before kick off it began.
A hail shower, light at first before growing stronger and stronger.
I remember a lot of people running for cover and shelter in the Tommy Sale Stand as the hail came down harder and harder stinging my face but we stood there, cheering the lads on as they outplayed a previously unbeaten St Helens and won through 11-6 on a filthy night.
Another game that stands out was one against Swinton in 2003 when they played at Salford City FC's Moor Lane ground, as well as Simon Knox playing a blinding game against Leigh, there was the full range of weather from the four seasons, starting with blinding sunshine, then snow, then hail and a biting rain. Leigh struggled but with Michael Watts in good form, they eventually won 24-10.
A few weeks ago there was that game on SKY TV between Castleford and Leeds which was played in a raging thunderstorm.
I know despite of everything, only 2 or 3 games were ever abandoned at Hilton Park, although places like Odsal Stadium in Bradford, the old Watersheddings in Oldham and Thrum Hall in Halifax frequently had their own microclimate and must have seen more than their fair share of games abandoned down the years.
Before my time, my dad and Grandads often spoke about a game during Leigh's championship winning season against Widnes which the home side won 18-5 at Hilton Park while roads around the area were being closed due to blizzard and Arctic like conditions.
If we talk about periods of time for adverse weather then we've got to look at the harsh winters of the 60s when in 62/63 sport in this country virtually came to a standstill for 3 months and football, rugby league and rugby union had to extend their seasons. I think in one of Mike Latham's excellent books it lists there being THREE months without fixtures and all down to the weather.
Perhaps we are spoiled these days?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)