Entry 21, 24th November 2010.
Since Monday when the League Express newspaper carried a story about a review of the Championship competitions, I've been thinking about the best way to go for Rugby League outside of Super League. From 2012, it appears likely that the RFL will make changes to the structure of the competitions.
I believe that the current structure whilst creating a vibrant Championship on the field, hardly packs the punters in and when six clubs over recent times have entered administration it does call into question the longevity of the competition.
I believe that something does need to be done and would propose more local derbies for starters.
When Leigh won the Trans Pennine Cup in 2001, which itself was a pre-cursor to the current Northern Rail Competition, the first seven or eight games of the season were all local derbies and there were some decent crowds against the likes of Oldham and Swinton while I also remember 6,500 on at Widnes for a Boxing Day game.
I do not believe the current structure contains enough games and also there is a difference in geographical spread.
Clubs on the red rose side of the Pennines are currently: Widnes, Leigh, Swinton, Oldham, Rochdale, Workington, Whitehaven and Barrow, while in Yorkshire there is Batley, Dewsbury, Doncaster, Featherstone, Halifax, Hunslet, Keighley, Sheffield and York. Now add to that list the outpost clubs of South Wales, Gateshead and London Skolars, not forgetting French club Toulouse.
I make that eight teams this side of the hills, nine in Yorkshire and four far flung clubs.
Eight teams playing each other home and away would produce 14 games, nine clubs would make 16 fixtures while four clubs would produce just 6 games. Perhaps my initial call for more derby games would not work?
I wonder whether it would be possible for ease of numbers adding South Wales and London Skolars to the Red Rose numbers, therefore meaning that there would be 18 games for each club there and with the inclusion of Toulouse and Gateshead in the Yorkshire ranks, that would mean 20 games in that pool. The demise of the Blackpool club is sure making this difficult. Mulling it over I can see why there is so much debate.
I wonder how strong some of the teams are in the Summer Conference National League? I saw the Grand Final last term when Warrington Wizards defeated Huddersfield Underbank but with the likes of Bramley and Hemel Stags, how far would they be from being able to step up and mix it in a semi-professional environment?
Perhaps the answer lies in just combining the current two divisions. If this was done on a home and away basis that would give a total of 40 league games to each club, which over the space of a season is too many games to fit into a 9 month season, especially when factoring in the Northern Rail Cup and Challenge Cup games, it would then involve a good number of teams having to play a few Sunday-Wednesday-Sunday schedules.
An alternative to that would be home and away to everyone in your current division and a mixture of home and away games (just once) playing against everyone else. This would give 30 and 29 fixtures respectively which would appear to be the best fit, therefore guaranteeing 15 or 14 home league games. With Northern Rail Cup games factored in, and this perhaps returning to geographical spread, I think this would give most teams a 35-36 game season plus any play-offs.
I obviously need to have even more of a think.... No wonder the RFL are asking fans opinions and views! It is more difficult than I originally thought!
Showing posts with label Co-operative Championships. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Co-operative Championships. Show all posts
Wednesday, 24 November 2010
Thursday, 18 November 2010
#rugbyleague BLOG 2010/11: Schofield back in coaching
Entry: 15, 18th November 2010
Congratulations must go to Garry Schofield. He has been appointed coach of Barrow and I think this is an interesting move for both parties.
He is also the second former Great Britain international to return to the sport in a week following Denis Betts appointment by Widnes Vikings.
Unlike Betts, Schofield has continued to be involved in Rugby League and recently coached the BARLA Young Lions. He blossomed into a top stand-off during his playing career, which started for Hull in 1983. He then moved to Leeds where his name was made before a short spell as player-coach of Huddersfield Giants and as a player with Doncaster. He also had stints in Australia with Balmain Tigers and Western Suburbs.
Often outspoken, I feel it is good to have him back in the professional echelons and I hope he is given a fairer chance at Barrow than the 13 games he was given as a learner coach at the Galpharm all those years ago.
While Schofield enjoyed a long playing career that saw him win 45 Great Britain caps and an OBE for services to the sport he has sadly been missing for too long, despite re-inventing himself as a coach and having a regular column in the main rugby league magazine.
When I first started watching rugby league in the early 90's I used to look up to the skills of players like Schofield and having interviewed him following his involvement with the GB Allstars I do think he has plenty to offer.
While some might think it's a gamble, I think it is worth a punt for Barrow and it will be interesting to see just who the Raiders bring on board now, having fallen short of chairman Des Johnston's expectations last term.
That disappointing finish, allied with losing previous coach Steve McCormack to alternate employment at the end of August meant that the Raiders only briefly threatened to repeat their wonderful Championship heroics of 2009. A 38-0 pummelling of Widnes was a superb performance and promised much but sadly for Barrow, their dream died in the next game when Sheffield Eagles mounted a late fightback to claim a 21-14 win.
With Schofield's appointment at Barrow confirmed, another former stand-off returned to the coaching ranks when Nigel Wright agreed to become his assistant. Wright himself was likened to Schofield during his early career and emerged through the ranks at Wakefield Trinity before a big move that made him the most expensive teenager in rugby league saw him swap Belle Vue for Central Park and Wigan.
Sadly for the talented Wright, injuries intervened and he returned to Wakefield for a season before appearing to break into the Wigan team again. Once more injuries stacked up against the promising player and he was forced to retire at an early age. Wright then turned his hand to coaching, first of all in Australia where he built a reputation before returning to the UK.
His last professional coaching position was on the staff at Warrington.
An interesting quote from the story that appeared on SportingLife.com came from Barrow Chairman Johnston:
"Exciting rugby is what the Raiders will be about," he said.
"The players need to be comfortable with the ball in hand and have licence to express themselves.
"We are in the entertainment business and an exhilarating Barrow team will have supporters flocking through the turnstiles.
"It was not easy to make a final decision from some excellent candidates for the post - all of whom I thank for their interest - but in the end I believe we have a coaching team who will provide what we need.
"They have a wealth of contacts within the sport which can only benefit the club."
Schofield's appointment certainly makes the Championship an interesting place to be next season. There are some pretty big names knocking around at the clubs:
Barrow: Garry Schofield & Nigel Wright
Batley: Karl Harrison
Dewsbury: Warren Jowitt
Featherstone: Daryl Powell
Halifax: Matt Calland
Hunslet: Paul March
Leigh: Ian Millward & Paul Rowley
Sheffield: Mark Aston
Toulouse: Giles Dumas
Widnes: Denis Betts
York: Dave Woods
I look forward to it with relish and hope to catch up with Schofield at some point next season.
Congratulations must go to Garry Schofield. He has been appointed coach of Barrow and I think this is an interesting move for both parties.
He is also the second former Great Britain international to return to the sport in a week following Denis Betts appointment by Widnes Vikings.
Unlike Betts, Schofield has continued to be involved in Rugby League and recently coached the BARLA Young Lions. He blossomed into a top stand-off during his playing career, which started for Hull in 1983. He then moved to Leeds where his name was made before a short spell as player-coach of Huddersfield Giants and as a player with Doncaster. He also had stints in Australia with Balmain Tigers and Western Suburbs.
Often outspoken, I feel it is good to have him back in the professional echelons and I hope he is given a fairer chance at Barrow than the 13 games he was given as a learner coach at the Galpharm all those years ago.
While Schofield enjoyed a long playing career that saw him win 45 Great Britain caps and an OBE for services to the sport he has sadly been missing for too long, despite re-inventing himself as a coach and having a regular column in the main rugby league magazine.
When I first started watching rugby league in the early 90's I used to look up to the skills of players like Schofield and having interviewed him following his involvement with the GB Allstars I do think he has plenty to offer.
While some might think it's a gamble, I think it is worth a punt for Barrow and it will be interesting to see just who the Raiders bring on board now, having fallen short of chairman Des Johnston's expectations last term.
That disappointing finish, allied with losing previous coach Steve McCormack to alternate employment at the end of August meant that the Raiders only briefly threatened to repeat their wonderful Championship heroics of 2009. A 38-0 pummelling of Widnes was a superb performance and promised much but sadly for Barrow, their dream died in the next game when Sheffield Eagles mounted a late fightback to claim a 21-14 win.
With Schofield's appointment at Barrow confirmed, another former stand-off returned to the coaching ranks when Nigel Wright agreed to become his assistant. Wright himself was likened to Schofield during his early career and emerged through the ranks at Wakefield Trinity before a big move that made him the most expensive teenager in rugby league saw him swap Belle Vue for Central Park and Wigan.
Sadly for the talented Wright, injuries intervened and he returned to Wakefield for a season before appearing to break into the Wigan team again. Once more injuries stacked up against the promising player and he was forced to retire at an early age. Wright then turned his hand to coaching, first of all in Australia where he built a reputation before returning to the UK.
His last professional coaching position was on the staff at Warrington.
An interesting quote from the story that appeared on SportingLife.com came from Barrow Chairman Johnston:
"Exciting rugby is what the Raiders will be about," he said.
"The players need to be comfortable with the ball in hand and have licence to express themselves.
"We are in the entertainment business and an exhilarating Barrow team will have supporters flocking through the turnstiles.
"It was not easy to make a final decision from some excellent candidates for the post - all of whom I thank for their interest - but in the end I believe we have a coaching team who will provide what we need.
"They have a wealth of contacts within the sport which can only benefit the club."
Schofield's appointment certainly makes the Championship an interesting place to be next season. There are some pretty big names knocking around at the clubs:
Barrow: Garry Schofield & Nigel Wright
Batley: Karl Harrison
Dewsbury: Warren Jowitt
Featherstone: Daryl Powell
Halifax: Matt Calland
Hunslet: Paul March
Leigh: Ian Millward & Paul Rowley
Sheffield: Mark Aston
Toulouse: Giles Dumas
Widnes: Denis Betts
York: Dave Woods
I look forward to it with relish and hope to catch up with Schofield at some point next season.
Monday, 15 November 2010
#rugbyleague BLOG 2010/11: Well there are two clubs making a profit!
Entry 14, 15th November 2010.
We already know that Widnes reavealed a million pound profit at the back end of last season. Quite how they did is anyone's guess and they should be saluted for their finances, but I feel another club deserves a big pat on the back.
Reading today's rugby league trade press I noticed an article in the Rugby Leaguer and League Express about Batley Bulldogs. The Championship's constant over achievers have announced a trading profit of £32,973 for the year ending 31st October 2010. This followed a £7,257 loss during the same period in 2009. This points to really prudent book-keeping at the Bulldogs and suggests they don't throw money about like other teams have done in the Championship and Super League.
Batley have always given the impression of being a small but well run club that won't over stretch themselves and are another shining example of what can be achieved with a committed coach and squad, in addition to a dedicated board of directors.
I was delighted that they won the Northern Rail Cup in 2010, and this despite my red rose roots. It was one of the games of the season and if I think on, over the next few days I'll post the report I penned for the Rugby Leaguer and League Express on here.
I'm sure that most of the profit would have been from prize monsy involved in lifting the cup but even so it is a highly creditable position to announce and I for one am looking forward to Leigh's visit to the Mount in 2011.
We already know that Widnes reavealed a million pound profit at the back end of last season. Quite how they did is anyone's guess and they should be saluted for their finances, but I feel another club deserves a big pat on the back.
Reading today's rugby league trade press I noticed an article in the Rugby Leaguer and League Express about Batley Bulldogs. The Championship's constant over achievers have announced a trading profit of £32,973 for the year ending 31st October 2010. This followed a £7,257 loss during the same period in 2009. This points to really prudent book-keeping at the Bulldogs and suggests they don't throw money about like other teams have done in the Championship and Super League.
Batley have always given the impression of being a small but well run club that won't over stretch themselves and are another shining example of what can be achieved with a committed coach and squad, in addition to a dedicated board of directors.
I was delighted that they won the Northern Rail Cup in 2010, and this despite my red rose roots. It was one of the games of the season and if I think on, over the next few days I'll post the report I penned for the Rugby Leaguer and League Express on here.
I'm sure that most of the profit would have been from prize monsy involved in lifting the cup but even so it is a highly creditable position to announce and I for one am looking forward to Leigh's visit to the Mount in 2011.
#rugbyleague BLOG 2010/11: Featherstone Rovers doing it the right way
Entry 13, 15th November 2010.
Over the weekend Featherstone Rovers opted against applying for a Super League franchise despite winning the Minor Premiership this past season and appearing in a Grand Final.
Rovers cited their support base in being the main reason for not submitting a bid although Rovers director Andrew McNeil reckons the club are heading in the right direction.
A statement appeared on Fev's official website (http://www.featherstonerovers.net) over the weekend in explanation.
Featherstone director Andrew McNeil, who has been liaising with the RFL in working towards the club's bid explained; "We feel we can make a massive contribution to Super League. The club has just about reinvented itself over the past few years. We are well on the way to no longer being labeled a ‘small town club', but an ever growing club that just happens to be in a small town. Our player development and coaching system is state of the art and runs continuously from scholarship to first team.
"The addition of a women's team provides another exciting opportunity, we want to build on this addition with a scholarship or centre of excellence approach to girls' participation in the sport as part of the overall system.
"Our stadium is modern, but needs expansion and we are well on the way to putting everything in place. Our development plan goes beyond just the stadium. With the land at our disposal, we will also be able to maintain the vast training area required to operate so many teams and engage so many people."
He continued; "We need to grow our support base. We seem to have a large group of fans who only come to big games. We want them to enjoy the Rovers' experience on a regular basis and we are working on that. This is the conundrum we face, or it might even be two conundrums. Where do the people who come to go for the rest of the year, and why is there this resistance in general to enjoy an afternoon or evening at Featherstone? People have said to me that Rovers aren't going to be allowed to progress to the top level because the powers that be don't want us. This is simply not the case. The message we need to share is one of the enjoyable, passionate and good value experience that watching Rovers is.
"We have liaised and co-operated with the RFL extensively. They have been helpful and encouraging. We are not dreamers: we have ambition and we are making that ambition work for us. Having that ambition means we have a responsibility to see it through and that underpins our business. We are doing what we are doing not just because of Super League, but because we believe in making our club the best it can be for its own sake. Then only then will we be ready.
"But until then the people of the local area and beyond, who we are working so hard to reach out to get the message, then a license bid has to be on hold for the immediate future."
**Ends**
Now I have to admit, I've got a lot of time for clubs like Featherstone. It's perhaps not something I would have said a dozen years ago when Aussie import Danny Baker was rampaging over Leigh's David Hill and Karl Pratt was racing in for another try, but age, experience and maturity have taught me to look at rugby league a bit differently.
Rovers in particular are a long standing team in a mould not too dis-similar to Leigh. Both towns were hit hard by the Miners strikes of the mid eighties and both towns relied on the local industries for work. I'm sure at one point Rovers were everyone's favourite underdog. Particulary in the early 80s when they caused a big shock at Wembley and won the Challenge Cup with victory over Hull. During this period they assembled a strong team and gave first chances in the game to players like Deryck Fox and Paul Newlove.
A few years ago, Rovers sank to the bottom tier but have been a steadily improving club for the last three or four years.
In 2007 they defeated Oldham at a packed Headingley in the National League Two Grand Final while they survived the spectre of relegation in 2008 before pushing for a play-off spot in 2009, knocking out Sheffield and Widnes before falling to Halifax in the Final Eliminator. This past term they were the most consistent team over the course of the season. They lost two games in the league and qualified for the Grand Final at the first attempt with a thumping win over Halifax. sadly for Rovers, Fax got their own back in the grand Final with Ben Black's Golden Point drop-goal settling arguably the most dramatic Grand Final to date.
They have a respected man at the helm in the form of Daryl Powell and I think they will be there or thereabouts next season. I do think as Mr McNeil pointed out that they need to boost crowds but there appears to be a firm base to build on unlike other clubs operating in quicksand.
I particularly like his comment about building Rovers - "We are doing what we are doing not just because of Super League, but because we believe in making our club the best it can be for its own sake. Then only then will we be ready." That should be turned into a banner and displayed on the door of every boardroom in the game. Wise words indeed.
I for one wish Rovers well. This is the correct way to go about things.
Over the weekend Featherstone Rovers opted against applying for a Super League franchise despite winning the Minor Premiership this past season and appearing in a Grand Final.
Rovers cited their support base in being the main reason for not submitting a bid although Rovers director Andrew McNeil reckons the club are heading in the right direction.
A statement appeared on Fev's official website (http://www.featherstonerovers.net) over the weekend in explanation.
Featherstone director Andrew McNeil, who has been liaising with the RFL in working towards the club's bid explained; "We feel we can make a massive contribution to Super League. The club has just about reinvented itself over the past few years. We are well on the way to no longer being labeled a ‘small town club', but an ever growing club that just happens to be in a small town. Our player development and coaching system is state of the art and runs continuously from scholarship to first team.
"The addition of a women's team provides another exciting opportunity, we want to build on this addition with a scholarship or centre of excellence approach to girls' participation in the sport as part of the overall system.
"Our stadium is modern, but needs expansion and we are well on the way to putting everything in place. Our development plan goes beyond just the stadium. With the land at our disposal, we will also be able to maintain the vast training area required to operate so many teams and engage so many people."
He continued; "We need to grow our support base. We seem to have a large group of fans who only come to big games. We want them to enjoy the Rovers' experience on a regular basis and we are working on that. This is the conundrum we face, or it might even be two conundrums. Where do the people who come to go for the rest of the year, and why is there this resistance in general to enjoy an afternoon or evening at Featherstone? People have said to me that Rovers aren't going to be allowed to progress to the top level because the powers that be don't want us. This is simply not the case. The message we need to share is one of the enjoyable, passionate and good value experience that watching Rovers is.
"We have liaised and co-operated with the RFL extensively. They have been helpful and encouraging. We are not dreamers: we have ambition and we are making that ambition work for us. Having that ambition means we have a responsibility to see it through and that underpins our business. We are doing what we are doing not just because of Super League, but because we believe in making our club the best it can be for its own sake. Then only then will we be ready.
"But until then the people of the local area and beyond, who we are working so hard to reach out to get the message, then a license bid has to be on hold for the immediate future."
**Ends**
Now I have to admit, I've got a lot of time for clubs like Featherstone. It's perhaps not something I would have said a dozen years ago when Aussie import Danny Baker was rampaging over Leigh's David Hill and Karl Pratt was racing in for another try, but age, experience and maturity have taught me to look at rugby league a bit differently.
Rovers in particular are a long standing team in a mould not too dis-similar to Leigh. Both towns were hit hard by the Miners strikes of the mid eighties and both towns relied on the local industries for work. I'm sure at one point Rovers were everyone's favourite underdog. Particulary in the early 80s when they caused a big shock at Wembley and won the Challenge Cup with victory over Hull. During this period they assembled a strong team and gave first chances in the game to players like Deryck Fox and Paul Newlove.
A few years ago, Rovers sank to the bottom tier but have been a steadily improving club for the last three or four years.
In 2007 they defeated Oldham at a packed Headingley in the National League Two Grand Final while they survived the spectre of relegation in 2008 before pushing for a play-off spot in 2009, knocking out Sheffield and Widnes before falling to Halifax in the Final Eliminator. This past term they were the most consistent team over the course of the season. They lost two games in the league and qualified for the Grand Final at the first attempt with a thumping win over Halifax. sadly for Rovers, Fax got their own back in the grand Final with Ben Black's Golden Point drop-goal settling arguably the most dramatic Grand Final to date.
They have a respected man at the helm in the form of Daryl Powell and I think they will be there or thereabouts next season. I do think as Mr McNeil pointed out that they need to boost crowds but there appears to be a firm base to build on unlike other clubs operating in quicksand.
I particularly like his comment about building Rovers - "We are doing what we are doing not just because of Super League, but because we believe in making our club the best it can be for its own sake. Then only then will we be ready." That should be turned into a banner and displayed on the door of every boardroom in the game. Wise words indeed.
I for one wish Rovers well. This is the correct way to go about things.
Sunday, 14 November 2010
#rugbyleague BLOG 2010/11: RL Comment: Panthers booted out, Crusaders in administration
Entry 12. 14th November 2010
Despite New Zealand giving everyone involved in Rugby League outside Australia a boost, my attention was switched back to domestic matters at the end of last week with two pieces of news. The first came in a brief email on Thursday from the RFL.
It read:
RFL cancels membership of Blackpool Panthers
Blackpool Panthers RLFC have had their membership of the RFL cancelled and will take no part in the 2011 Co-operative Championship after they failed to meet a deadline from the game’s governing body.
The club, which went into administration in early October, was poised to present plans for their participation in Championship One on Thursday November 11 however no information was forthcoming from officials.
RFL Chief Operating Officer Ralph Rimmer commented: “The RFL has done everything possible to ensure the continuing involvement of Blackpool Panthers in Co-operative Championship One and we had every hope that a credible plan would be presented.
“Despite a flexible approach to deadlines and ongoing support from the RFL as well as a commitment from the club’s representatives right up to the last minute that a plan would be forthcoming, we have received notification that no proposal will be presented.
“With plans for the 2011 season at an advanced stage we have had no choice but to regretfully decide to cancel their membership.”
-ends-
Now it would be fair to say that the Panthers have limped along for the last six months since their chairman Bobby Hope decided that he wasn't going to fund the venture anymore after a spell of poor health and crowds at a much lower level than was expected.
Blackpool were whacked ten points for their finances in the season and to be fair have been floundering since going into administration at the start of October. There had been talk of former Oldham investor Bill Quinn leading a consortium but the RFL have said they can't hang on any longer and acted accordingly.
While the people at the club, and particularly Bobby Hope can be criticised, and rightly so, I feel sorry for the hardcore 200-250 who watched the Panthers every week. Those people could now potentially be lost to the game.
I also feel sorry for their players. I know many of them due to ealrier service with Leigh and to be honest they deserve better. This decision now means that any deals agreed or signed with Blackpool have become null and void. The uncertainty already saw Martin Ainscough, Neil Holland and Dean Thompson find another club while Friday saw Mike Morrison sign a deal with Swinton (who themselves appear to be pushing the boat out ahead of their season at The Willows).
While not wishing to speak badly about the RFL I hope their stance is repeated with other clubs. For me they have made an example of the Panthers who let's be honest have been operating in something of a development area since moving from Chorley in 2004.
I only hope there has been enough interest generated by the Panthers to sustain the amateur game in Blackpool and I also would like to see a future professional team in the area. If there is to be a next time, lessons must be heeded. The club needs a base and must develop in its own time. This is one of the pitfalls of recruiting heavily and boosting expenditure way beyond income. I liken it in a business sense to trying to build foundations on quicksand.
Sadly this seems a common method in rugby league.
The second piece of news to make me take notice was that of Crusaders entering administration. Now this is a story that has been doing the rounds for a couple of weeks. Basically when the club moved from South Wales it inherited crippling debt which it has battled all season. With that in mind it makes you appreciate what a job Brian Noble did there last term in just getting them to the play-offs. Sadly the previous business model I spoke of - "Let's throw money at it" was used and again a club has got in lumber.
Last year I'm sure I wrote about there being two separate companies set up that can be connected with this club and I'm still not sure of the where's and why's so I'll leave that thought where it is for now.
The main point I am wanting to make here is that for me the RFL have set a precedent here. I wait to see if any action will be taken to revoke Crusaders license should there be no movement in six weeks.
Don't get me wrong, I am not decrying Wrexham, the town has already shown an appetite for the sport, I just wish there was some consistency shown.
I now believe that the Crusaders are in the right place. North Wales I feel is more susceptible to Rugby League growth and wouldn't it be nice to think that there could be the potential to grow clubs in places like Rhyll and Llandudno? For me Rugby League needs to grow from amateur bases with the Summer Conference a decent platform.
I'll be watching the situation with interest.
Despite New Zealand giving everyone involved in Rugby League outside Australia a boost, my attention was switched back to domestic matters at the end of last week with two pieces of news. The first came in a brief email on Thursday from the RFL.
It read:
RFL cancels membership of Blackpool Panthers
Blackpool Panthers RLFC have had their membership of the RFL cancelled and will take no part in the 2011 Co-operative Championship after they failed to meet a deadline from the game’s governing body.
The club, which went into administration in early October, was poised to present plans for their participation in Championship One on Thursday November 11 however no information was forthcoming from officials.
RFL Chief Operating Officer Ralph Rimmer commented: “The RFL has done everything possible to ensure the continuing involvement of Blackpool Panthers in Co-operative Championship One and we had every hope that a credible plan would be presented.
“Despite a flexible approach to deadlines and ongoing support from the RFL as well as a commitment from the club’s representatives right up to the last minute that a plan would be forthcoming, we have received notification that no proposal will be presented.
“With plans for the 2011 season at an advanced stage we have had no choice but to regretfully decide to cancel their membership.”
-ends-
Now it would be fair to say that the Panthers have limped along for the last six months since their chairman Bobby Hope decided that he wasn't going to fund the venture anymore after a spell of poor health and crowds at a much lower level than was expected.
Blackpool were whacked ten points for their finances in the season and to be fair have been floundering since going into administration at the start of October. There had been talk of former Oldham investor Bill Quinn leading a consortium but the RFL have said they can't hang on any longer and acted accordingly.
While the people at the club, and particularly Bobby Hope can be criticised, and rightly so, I feel sorry for the hardcore 200-250 who watched the Panthers every week. Those people could now potentially be lost to the game.
I also feel sorry for their players. I know many of them due to ealrier service with Leigh and to be honest they deserve better. This decision now means that any deals agreed or signed with Blackpool have become null and void. The uncertainty already saw Martin Ainscough, Neil Holland and Dean Thompson find another club while Friday saw Mike Morrison sign a deal with Swinton (who themselves appear to be pushing the boat out ahead of their season at The Willows).
While not wishing to speak badly about the RFL I hope their stance is repeated with other clubs. For me they have made an example of the Panthers who let's be honest have been operating in something of a development area since moving from Chorley in 2004.
I only hope there has been enough interest generated by the Panthers to sustain the amateur game in Blackpool and I also would like to see a future professional team in the area. If there is to be a next time, lessons must be heeded. The club needs a base and must develop in its own time. This is one of the pitfalls of recruiting heavily and boosting expenditure way beyond income. I liken it in a business sense to trying to build foundations on quicksand.
Sadly this seems a common method in rugby league.
The second piece of news to make me take notice was that of Crusaders entering administration. Now this is a story that has been doing the rounds for a couple of weeks. Basically when the club moved from South Wales it inherited crippling debt which it has battled all season. With that in mind it makes you appreciate what a job Brian Noble did there last term in just getting them to the play-offs. Sadly the previous business model I spoke of - "Let's throw money at it" was used and again a club has got in lumber.
Last year I'm sure I wrote about there being two separate companies set up that can be connected with this club and I'm still not sure of the where's and why's so I'll leave that thought where it is for now.
The main point I am wanting to make here is that for me the RFL have set a precedent here. I wait to see if any action will be taken to revoke Crusaders license should there be no movement in six weeks.
Don't get me wrong, I am not decrying Wrexham, the town has already shown an appetite for the sport, I just wish there was some consistency shown.
I now believe that the Crusaders are in the right place. North Wales I feel is more susceptible to Rugby League growth and wouldn't it be nice to think that there could be the potential to grow clubs in places like Rhyll and Llandudno? For me Rugby League needs to grow from amateur bases with the Summer Conference a decent platform.
I'll be watching the situation with interest.
Monday, 27 September 2010
Wonderful entertainment on Co-operative Grand Final Day
My first Grand Final since Leigh's 2004 success was a reminder certainly on the field about the superb sport we have in rugby league.
Each game was good for a different reason. Warrington Wizards and Huddersfield Underbank Rangers got us underway and what a game this was - a real credit to that competition, full of skill, tough and pretty quick.
Rangers opened the score when hooker Adam Carroll forced his way over the line after just six minutes. Neil Barrett's conversion made it 6-0 and the Warrington side struck back after seventeen minutes.
Without doubt this was the highlight as Wizards player-coach Chris Campbell scored a memorable try. From a twenty metre tap the Warrington side moved the ball quickly and Campbell glided down the wing with his effortless running style to finish from at least fifty metres with apparent ease.
After trailing 18-6, Huddersfield Underbank hit back to level the score at 18-18 after battling Joe Worthington burst through the middle from close range.
National Conference League player of the season Jono Smith put a drop goal over to edge the Wizards in front and when a superb crossfield kick was caught by Dave Yii who then did incredibly well to get the ball out for wing Graham Healey to gleefully get over in the corner. That meant that the Warrington side prevailed 23-18.
The second final that from Championship One arguably had most riding on it. Promotion from Championship One was at stake with the chance to join Hunslet in the higher division next year.
This saw fancied Oldham take on York with the Roughyeds finally looking to win and make it fourth time lucky for their long suffering fans.
From the off, York looked the better team and scored an early try through Wayne Reittie. Oldham then equalised thanks to the vision and quick thinking of stand-off Neil Roden. The veteran chipped over, regathered and then kicked on again for Mick Foggerty to ground.
York grabbed the only other try of the second half when fullback James Haynes virtually crawled his way to the line after Dave Ellison conceded a penalty. Lee Waterman's goal made it 10-4 and that was how it remained at the break despite the City Knights twice losing the ball after creating chances.
Waterman added a penalty in the second half and the teams went toe-to-toe and set-for-set before York broke and after Nathan Freer was halted close, Chris Thorman's quick thinking and dummy took him over the line. The stand-off duly converted and became the central figure as his kicking game took centre stage.
Eleven minutes from time Thorman knocked over a drop goal to make it 19-4 and the last ten minutes were enjoyable for the City Knights and like pulling teeth for Oldham. An excellent passing move led to Steve Lewis scoring a superb try and Thorman confirmed his man-of-the-match billing with the conversion to finish with a personal tally of nine points (a try, 2 goals and a drop goal) in the 25-4 win.
It was real blood and thunder stuff in the Co-operative Championship Final as top two Featherstone and Halifax played out a game that no-one present at the Halliwell Jones Stadium will forget.
Rob Worrincy scored one of the great final tries with a 100 metre dash but Rovers soon took a stranglehold and led 12-4 before the game was delayed for 45 minutes due to a fire in the stand that housed the majority of Halifax fans. This resulted in an entire terraced end moving onto the pitch. The blaze was dealt with by stewards and the fire service arrived to make sure it was safe to continue. Everyone was allowed back onto the terrace before a further announcement told people to make their way to the Martin Dawes all-seater stand opposite. As fans funneled though the Featherstone players wives and girfriends were led from the stand and housed elsewhere.
Eventually the game got back underway and it remained 12-4 at half-time.
Two further tries in the first 13 minutes saw Rovers build a 22-4 lead but like a prize one day cricket team on a run chase, Fax clawed it back and when Stephen Bannister got over and Lee Paterson equalised with the conversion, it was all level at 22-all.
The game moved into sudden death extra-time and we saw a bit of Black magic as Ben Black etched his name into Halifax history in a similar way John Pendlebury did 23 years earlier with a well struck drop goal that had the little Aussie celebrating and jumping for joy as it left his boot.
A compelling game finished 23-22 to Halifax and in the lyrics and style of Nat King Cole, it certainly was "unforgettable".
Roll on 2011, my appetite is whet already!
Each game was good for a different reason. Warrington Wizards and Huddersfield Underbank Rangers got us underway and what a game this was - a real credit to that competition, full of skill, tough and pretty quick.
Rangers opened the score when hooker Adam Carroll forced his way over the line after just six minutes. Neil Barrett's conversion made it 6-0 and the Warrington side struck back after seventeen minutes.
Without doubt this was the highlight as Wizards player-coach Chris Campbell scored a memorable try. From a twenty metre tap the Warrington side moved the ball quickly and Campbell glided down the wing with his effortless running style to finish from at least fifty metres with apparent ease.
After trailing 18-6, Huddersfield Underbank hit back to level the score at 18-18 after battling Joe Worthington burst through the middle from close range.
National Conference League player of the season Jono Smith put a drop goal over to edge the Wizards in front and when a superb crossfield kick was caught by Dave Yii who then did incredibly well to get the ball out for wing Graham Healey to gleefully get over in the corner. That meant that the Warrington side prevailed 23-18.
The second final that from Championship One arguably had most riding on it. Promotion from Championship One was at stake with the chance to join Hunslet in the higher division next year.
This saw fancied Oldham take on York with the Roughyeds finally looking to win and make it fourth time lucky for their long suffering fans.
From the off, York looked the better team and scored an early try through Wayne Reittie. Oldham then equalised thanks to the vision and quick thinking of stand-off Neil Roden. The veteran chipped over, regathered and then kicked on again for Mick Foggerty to ground.
York grabbed the only other try of the second half when fullback James Haynes virtually crawled his way to the line after Dave Ellison conceded a penalty. Lee Waterman's goal made it 10-4 and that was how it remained at the break despite the City Knights twice losing the ball after creating chances.
Waterman added a penalty in the second half and the teams went toe-to-toe and set-for-set before York broke and after Nathan Freer was halted close, Chris Thorman's quick thinking and dummy took him over the line. The stand-off duly converted and became the central figure as his kicking game took centre stage.
Eleven minutes from time Thorman knocked over a drop goal to make it 19-4 and the last ten minutes were enjoyable for the City Knights and like pulling teeth for Oldham. An excellent passing move led to Steve Lewis scoring a superb try and Thorman confirmed his man-of-the-match billing with the conversion to finish with a personal tally of nine points (a try, 2 goals and a drop goal) in the 25-4 win.
It was real blood and thunder stuff in the Co-operative Championship Final as top two Featherstone and Halifax played out a game that no-one present at the Halliwell Jones Stadium will forget.
Rob Worrincy scored one of the great final tries with a 100 metre dash but Rovers soon took a stranglehold and led 12-4 before the game was delayed for 45 minutes due to a fire in the stand that housed the majority of Halifax fans. This resulted in an entire terraced end moving onto the pitch. The blaze was dealt with by stewards and the fire service arrived to make sure it was safe to continue. Everyone was allowed back onto the terrace before a further announcement told people to make their way to the Martin Dawes all-seater stand opposite. As fans funneled though the Featherstone players wives and girfriends were led from the stand and housed elsewhere.
Eventually the game got back underway and it remained 12-4 at half-time.
Two further tries in the first 13 minutes saw Rovers build a 22-4 lead but like a prize one day cricket team on a run chase, Fax clawed it back and when Stephen Bannister got over and Lee Paterson equalised with the conversion, it was all level at 22-all.
The game moved into sudden death extra-time and we saw a bit of Black magic as Ben Black etched his name into Halifax history in a similar way John Pendlebury did 23 years earlier with a well struck drop goal that had the little Aussie celebrating and jumping for joy as it left his boot.
A compelling game finished 23-22 to Halifax and in the lyrics and style of Nat King Cole, it certainly was "unforgettable".
Roll on 2011, my appetite is whet already!
Friday, 3 September 2010
My interview piece with John Duffy - prior to Leigh v Sheffield Play-off on 2/9/10
Leigh Centurions take on Sheffield Eagles again tonight at the LSV (7.30pm), just two weeks after previously taking on the Eagles in the league at Bramhall Lane.
From here on in, it is knock out rugby all the way for the Centurions who have turned things around after being effectively relegated from the competition last year.
Key man John Duffy who played halfback in that 28-29 defeat in Sheffield reckons it is time for Leigh to take out their revenge. The Scotland international scored a try and was a big figure in Leigh coming back from a 22-10 half-time deficit.
"We've watched plenty of videos and have come up with a gameplan that we are all comfortable with. We know about the way to beat them and being on home soil we are looking to have a massive performance and continue in the play-offs."
"They have plenty of explosive guys out wide." Duffy said alluding to the likes of Misi Taulapapa, Tangi Ropati and Menzie Yere. "To be fair their pack did well and they had a great kicking game through Brendon Lindsay and Simon Brown. We have done a lot of work on where we went wrong and where we need to rectify it to get the win."
"We were a little bit off the mark last time. We got back on level terms and they came straight back down our end and scored on us. We have got to be more professional and get the job done."
Duffy is planning to use all of his experience - he has taken part in every play-off series since 2001, other than in 2005 when he was in Super League with Leigh - to help guide the Centurions further.
"These are really exciting times and it also gives you that extra push when you get to this point of the season and players that you've built up a friendship with are leaving. You know it is your last few games with them and you want to do your best and send them out on a high."
The Centurions have seen Lee Mitchell and Tommy Goulden ruled out of the game but Paul Smith is expected to return to the team.
Footnote: Leigh lost the game 24-26 to Sheffield Eagles.
From here on in, it is knock out rugby all the way for the Centurions who have turned things around after being effectively relegated from the competition last year.
Key man John Duffy who played halfback in that 28-29 defeat in Sheffield reckons it is time for Leigh to take out their revenge. The Scotland international scored a try and was a big figure in Leigh coming back from a 22-10 half-time deficit.
"We've watched plenty of videos and have come up with a gameplan that we are all comfortable with. We know about the way to beat them and being on home soil we are looking to have a massive performance and continue in the play-offs."
"They have plenty of explosive guys out wide." Duffy said alluding to the likes of Misi Taulapapa, Tangi Ropati and Menzie Yere. "To be fair their pack did well and they had a great kicking game through Brendon Lindsay and Simon Brown. We have done a lot of work on where we went wrong and where we need to rectify it to get the win."
"We were a little bit off the mark last time. We got back on level terms and they came straight back down our end and scored on us. We have got to be more professional and get the job done."
Duffy is planning to use all of his experience - he has taken part in every play-off series since 2001, other than in 2005 when he was in Super League with Leigh - to help guide the Centurions further.
"These are really exciting times and it also gives you that extra push when you get to this point of the season and players that you've built up a friendship with are leaving. You know it is your last few games with them and you want to do your best and send them out on a high."
The Centurions have seen Lee Mitchell and Tommy Goulden ruled out of the game but Paul Smith is expected to return to the team.
Footnote: Leigh lost the game 24-26 to Sheffield Eagles.
Wednesday, 1 September 2010
Co-operative Championship Play-off fixtures this week
Well we've reached that time of year again where all the league form goes out of the window and it comes down to eighty minutes of hard graft to decide who will progress in the play-off series.
The Championship operates a top six play-off and the following teams made it through the tough weekly rounds: Featherstone, Halifax, Leigh, Barrow, Widnes and Sheffield. Five of those teams made the play-offs last year while Leigh have risen up the table this term having been officially relegated at the end of last season and then re-instated in the competition after Gateshead were found to have overspent and the outpost club had to start again.
This weekend's fixtures in the Championship Play-offs are:
Thu 2 Sep: Leigh Centurions V Sheffield Eagles
ko: 19:30, Venue: Leigh Sports Village
Sun 5 Sep: Barrow Raiders V Widnes Vikings
ko: 15:00, Venue: Craven Park
It is also the start of the play-off series in Championship One to decide the second promotion place. Hunslet Hawks proved worthy winners of the league title and now Oldham, York, Blackpool, Rochdale, South Wales Scorpions and Workington Town will do battle.
The sudden death semi-finals this weekend are as follows:
Sun 5 Sep Blackpool Panthers RLFC V Workington Town RLFC
ko: 15:30, Venue: Fylde RUFC
Sun 5 Sep Rochdale Hornets V South Wales RLFC
ko: 15:00, Venue: Spotland Stadium
It should be a great weekend of action!
The Championship operates a top six play-off and the following teams made it through the tough weekly rounds: Featherstone, Halifax, Leigh, Barrow, Widnes and Sheffield. Five of those teams made the play-offs last year while Leigh have risen up the table this term having been officially relegated at the end of last season and then re-instated in the competition after Gateshead were found to have overspent and the outpost club had to start again.
This weekend's fixtures in the Championship Play-offs are:
Thu 2 Sep: Leigh Centurions V Sheffield Eagles
ko: 19:30, Venue: Leigh Sports Village
Sun 5 Sep: Barrow Raiders V Widnes Vikings
ko: 15:00, Venue: Craven Park
It is also the start of the play-off series in Championship One to decide the second promotion place. Hunslet Hawks proved worthy winners of the league title and now Oldham, York, Blackpool, Rochdale, South Wales Scorpions and Workington Town will do battle.
The sudden death semi-finals this weekend are as follows:
Sun 5 Sep Blackpool Panthers RLFC V Workington Town RLFC
ko: 15:30, Venue: Fylde RUFC
Sun 5 Sep Rochdale Hornets V South Wales RLFC
ko: 15:00, Venue: Spotland Stadium
It should be a great weekend of action!
Thursday, 8 April 2010
RL Comment - Toulouse - Sadly RL is 3rd rated sport
Having spent a cracking few days in France watching my team Leigh Centurions emerge with an excellent 36-6 victory, it gave me a chance to look at the sporting scene in a city that people are dubbing the 4th of France.
I think the following sums up where the sport is in that city.
Toulouse FC attracts an average of 30,000 people to each game at their modern stadium, the club also has a TV channel that broadcasts on the local digital network from evening to morning. There is widespread coverage in the press, local news and radio.
Stade Toulouse RU are currently near the top of the Orange Top 14 Championship and rugby union is huge in the city. The club plays before average crowds of 19,000 at a good facility and boasts three boutiques that I am aware of in the city, one at the ground, one in the city centre, and one at the airport. Being in the city made me realise how big a sport rugby union is in the area, the papers and magazines were full of it and many cars carried Stade Toulouse badges, stickers etc. On the Saturday following Leigh's match an entire afternoon on Canal Plus Sport was dedicated to Union, they showed one game live and there were then highlights from every other game in the championship. Stade themselves played the night before, in direct competition with Olympique-Leigh and drew 19,000 for their game with Paris based Racing Metro.
Toulouse Olympique play in somewhat modest surroundings by comparison, a ground with two seater stands and space for standing at both ends, Arnaude Stadium serves a purpose and is a municipal owned ground with a capacity circa 4,000. The official crowd figure given was 1,225 but I would hotly dispute that and say there was anywhere between 600-850 on the ground. The following day La Depeche newspaper did carry a report on the game and there were several journalists and a radio commentary crew in attendance. Olympique have items on-sale from the ground and there is a shop but when I returned on Saturday this was closed so I didn't get chance to spend the Euros that were burning a hole in my pocket.
This just showed me how far Rugby League has to go in this big city. I do however expect things to be somewhat different next week when I travel to Carcassonne and Limoux.
I think the following sums up where the sport is in that city.
Toulouse FC attracts an average of 30,000 people to each game at their modern stadium, the club also has a TV channel that broadcasts on the local digital network from evening to morning. There is widespread coverage in the press, local news and radio.
Stade Toulouse RU are currently near the top of the Orange Top 14 Championship and rugby union is huge in the city. The club plays before average crowds of 19,000 at a good facility and boasts three boutiques that I am aware of in the city, one at the ground, one in the city centre, and one at the airport. Being in the city made me realise how big a sport rugby union is in the area, the papers and magazines were full of it and many cars carried Stade Toulouse badges, stickers etc. On the Saturday following Leigh's match an entire afternoon on Canal Plus Sport was dedicated to Union, they showed one game live and there were then highlights from every other game in the championship. Stade themselves played the night before, in direct competition with Olympique-Leigh and drew 19,000 for their game with Paris based Racing Metro.
Toulouse Olympique play in somewhat modest surroundings by comparison, a ground with two seater stands and space for standing at both ends, Arnaude Stadium serves a purpose and is a municipal owned ground with a capacity circa 4,000. The official crowd figure given was 1,225 but I would hotly dispute that and say there was anywhere between 600-850 on the ground. The following day La Depeche newspaper did carry a report on the game and there were several journalists and a radio commentary crew in attendance. Olympique have items on-sale from the ground and there is a shop but when I returned on Saturday this was closed so I didn't get chance to spend the Euros that were burning a hole in my pocket.
This just showed me how far Rugby League has to go in this big city. I do however expect things to be somewhat different next week when I travel to Carcassonne and Limoux.
Friday, 19 March 2010
Championship Match report - Widnes v Halifax
WIDNES VIKINGS 28
HALIFAX 30
By Dave Parkinson.
Two unbeaten starts to the Championship season went head to head at the Stobart Stadium and at the end of eighty minutes it was the Vikings previously unblemished record in all competitions that went west. In truth it was a scrappy encounter between two of the top three sides in the formulative table and ultimately the bigger error count of the Vikings stopped them from repeating last season's success over Halifax.
Wearing a specially commissioned kit to help raise awareness for the "Everyman" charity, the Vikings started strongly in the televised Championship game when Thomas Coyle, in for tonsilitis affected skipper Mark Smith surged over from dummy half after a couple of strong runs from Matt Gardner and Shane Grady.
Grady, scorer of 100 points in his first seven games of 2010, added the goal and the Vikings dominated the first quarter without registering a further score.
A rising error count and regular penalties stopped the game from flowing although in defence of both teams they continued to fly at each other with some committed defence, while experimenting with their attack. One such tackle on Dave Allen after 21 minutes forced an error and from that possession and a further penalty Halifax were on the Widnes line threatening.
As the ball came right influential halfback Luke Branighan passed for Lee Paterson and his quick hands gave Rob Worrincy the chance to turn inside and beat five Widnes players to the try line for his 7th try of a productive season so far. Paterson levelled the game and this seemed to spur the visitors on. Halifax introduced Mark Gleeson to the game and the former Warrington man added an element of control and purpose.
In spite of this, a couple of Fax mistakes helped heap pressure on them and their defence looked set to crack before a wild pass from Coyle dipped and bobbled in front of James Webster and then evaded the clutches of Allen. Spying the opportunity of an intercept former Salford and Wakefield man Paul White moved on the loose ball and showed blistering pace over the first forty metres before holding off the spirited chase of Paddy Flynn and fullback Scott Yates.
Halifax finally started to roll forward as a unit and after the initial work of starting props Makali Aizue and Dominic Maloney, Frank Watene and particularly Said Tamghart made more than a nuisance of themselves.
A penalty put Halifax in prime territory and they didn't need a second invite when that man Branighan went to the line before a superb short pass brought Paterson his second try of the season and a further goal. Ben Black's towering punt caught Yates out and Dave Wrench followed up to score, but te try was disallowed for offside by the video referee while at the other end, Flynn suffered the same fate after taking an attacking kick and forcing his way over the line only for part of his body to go touch in goal before the grounding.
Spurred on, Widnes enjoyed the better of the closing minutes and registered their second try just before the hooter when Anthony Thackeray kicked high and wide from dummy half. White spilled under pressure of Flynn and Lee Doran grounded the bouncing ball to make it 16-10. Grady struck a near perfect conversion attempt that looked like it would creep over before striking the crossbarl.
The first ten minutes of the second half belonged to Halifax and Paterson increased their advantage with a penalty goal. Widnes were fortunate it wasn't more as White surged downfield only to be brought down by Yates and then a Branighan kick found an onrushing Tamghart who ran away from his supporting players.
Twelve minutes into the second half Widnes targetted the middle of the Halifax defence and on the third occasion it cracked when Thackeray's inside pass found Coyle between defenders and he surged between the posts amid bodies to score. The conversion closed the gap to two points before Halifax demonstrated their attacking play only for White to be denied by the video referee after Black had run behind a decoy.
The next eight minutes were even more scrappy and it looked like neither side wanted to take control before Thackeray ran from dummy half, sent Doran striding through a huge hole and the impressive Liam Farrell tracked up the middle to score under the posts. Grady's conversion ensured the Vikings held a 22-18 advantage after 62 minutes although the 20 year old centre could only look on as first Halifax tackled back to put Matt Gardner into touch after quick play down the left before a 30 metre penalty attempt struck the post and bounced out.
Halifax cleared their lines and then struck for a fourth try after 72 minutes when Branighan kicked right for Widnes to fumble. Eighteen year old substitute Anthony Bowman collected the loose ball and cleverly passed between two men for fullback Shad Royston to continue his prolific start to the season and ground his 9th try. With Paterson off the field, Branighan took on goal-kicking duties and converted for a narrow advantage.
The winning try came four minutes from time when Fax pushed close to the line and Branighan threaded a grubber kick behind the posts for Sean Penkywicz to pounce ahead of a couple of Vikings players. Branighan converted to make it 30-22 and time was against the Vikings. Buoyed by their recent late success over Barrow, Widnes took up the challenge and scored on the right through Richard Varkulis. The centre crossed for his 4th try of the season after excellent work from Wigan loan-man Ben Davies. Grady converted from the touchline in double quick time and the Vikings pushed down both wings before Flynn kicked ahead as the hooter sounded and Royston calmly took the ball into touch to confirm a 30-28 victory for the visitors.
Teams:
Widnes: Scott Yates, Paddy Flynn, Richard Varkulis, Shane Grady, Matt Gardner; Anthony Thackeray, James Webster; Gareth Haggerty, Thomas Coyle, Jim Gannon, Liam Farrell, Lee Doran, Dave Allen. Subs: Ben Kavanagh, Matt Strong, Ben Davies, Dave Houghton.
Tries: Coyle (4, 52), Doran (39), Farrell (62), Varkulis (79).
Goals: Grady 4/6.
Halifax: Shad Royston, Rob Worrincy, Jon Goddard, Lee Paterson, Paul White; Luke Branighan, Ben Black, Makali Aizue, Sean Penkywicz, Dominic Maloney, David Larder, Dave Wrench, Stanley Gene. Subs: Mark Gleeson, Anthony Bowman, Said Tamghart, Frank Watene.
Tries: Worrincy (23), White (29), Paterson (33), Royston (72), Penkywicz (76).
Goals: Paterson 3/4, Branighan 2/2.
Referee: Rob Hicks
Penalties: 10-10.
Attendance: 3,286.
HALIFAX 30
By Dave Parkinson.
Two unbeaten starts to the Championship season went head to head at the Stobart Stadium and at the end of eighty minutes it was the Vikings previously unblemished record in all competitions that went west. In truth it was a scrappy encounter between two of the top three sides in the formulative table and ultimately the bigger error count of the Vikings stopped them from repeating last season's success over Halifax.
Wearing a specially commissioned kit to help raise awareness for the "Everyman" charity, the Vikings started strongly in the televised Championship game when Thomas Coyle, in for tonsilitis affected skipper Mark Smith surged over from dummy half after a couple of strong runs from Matt Gardner and Shane Grady.
Grady, scorer of 100 points in his first seven games of 2010, added the goal and the Vikings dominated the first quarter without registering a further score.
A rising error count and regular penalties stopped the game from flowing although in defence of both teams they continued to fly at each other with some committed defence, while experimenting with their attack. One such tackle on Dave Allen after 21 minutes forced an error and from that possession and a further penalty Halifax were on the Widnes line threatening.
As the ball came right influential halfback Luke Branighan passed for Lee Paterson and his quick hands gave Rob Worrincy the chance to turn inside and beat five Widnes players to the try line for his 7th try of a productive season so far. Paterson levelled the game and this seemed to spur the visitors on. Halifax introduced Mark Gleeson to the game and the former Warrington man added an element of control and purpose.
In spite of this, a couple of Fax mistakes helped heap pressure on them and their defence looked set to crack before a wild pass from Coyle dipped and bobbled in front of James Webster and then evaded the clutches of Allen. Spying the opportunity of an intercept former Salford and Wakefield man Paul White moved on the loose ball and showed blistering pace over the first forty metres before holding off the spirited chase of Paddy Flynn and fullback Scott Yates.
Halifax finally started to roll forward as a unit and after the initial work of starting props Makali Aizue and Dominic Maloney, Frank Watene and particularly Said Tamghart made more than a nuisance of themselves.
A penalty put Halifax in prime territory and they didn't need a second invite when that man Branighan went to the line before a superb short pass brought Paterson his second try of the season and a further goal. Ben Black's towering punt caught Yates out and Dave Wrench followed up to score, but te try was disallowed for offside by the video referee while at the other end, Flynn suffered the same fate after taking an attacking kick and forcing his way over the line only for part of his body to go touch in goal before the grounding.
Spurred on, Widnes enjoyed the better of the closing minutes and registered their second try just before the hooter when Anthony Thackeray kicked high and wide from dummy half. White spilled under pressure of Flynn and Lee Doran grounded the bouncing ball to make it 16-10. Grady struck a near perfect conversion attempt that looked like it would creep over before striking the crossbarl.
The first ten minutes of the second half belonged to Halifax and Paterson increased their advantage with a penalty goal. Widnes were fortunate it wasn't more as White surged downfield only to be brought down by Yates and then a Branighan kick found an onrushing Tamghart who ran away from his supporting players.
Twelve minutes into the second half Widnes targetted the middle of the Halifax defence and on the third occasion it cracked when Thackeray's inside pass found Coyle between defenders and he surged between the posts amid bodies to score. The conversion closed the gap to two points before Halifax demonstrated their attacking play only for White to be denied by the video referee after Black had run behind a decoy.
The next eight minutes were even more scrappy and it looked like neither side wanted to take control before Thackeray ran from dummy half, sent Doran striding through a huge hole and the impressive Liam Farrell tracked up the middle to score under the posts. Grady's conversion ensured the Vikings held a 22-18 advantage after 62 minutes although the 20 year old centre could only look on as first Halifax tackled back to put Matt Gardner into touch after quick play down the left before a 30 metre penalty attempt struck the post and bounced out.
Halifax cleared their lines and then struck for a fourth try after 72 minutes when Branighan kicked right for Widnes to fumble. Eighteen year old substitute Anthony Bowman collected the loose ball and cleverly passed between two men for fullback Shad Royston to continue his prolific start to the season and ground his 9th try. With Paterson off the field, Branighan took on goal-kicking duties and converted for a narrow advantage.
The winning try came four minutes from time when Fax pushed close to the line and Branighan threaded a grubber kick behind the posts for Sean Penkywicz to pounce ahead of a couple of Vikings players. Branighan converted to make it 30-22 and time was against the Vikings. Buoyed by their recent late success over Barrow, Widnes took up the challenge and scored on the right through Richard Varkulis. The centre crossed for his 4th try of the season after excellent work from Wigan loan-man Ben Davies. Grady converted from the touchline in double quick time and the Vikings pushed down both wings before Flynn kicked ahead as the hooter sounded and Royston calmly took the ball into touch to confirm a 30-28 victory for the visitors.
Teams:
Widnes: Scott Yates, Paddy Flynn, Richard Varkulis, Shane Grady, Matt Gardner; Anthony Thackeray, James Webster; Gareth Haggerty, Thomas Coyle, Jim Gannon, Liam Farrell, Lee Doran, Dave Allen. Subs: Ben Kavanagh, Matt Strong, Ben Davies, Dave Houghton.
Tries: Coyle (4, 52), Doran (39), Farrell (62), Varkulis (79).
Goals: Grady 4/6.
Halifax: Shad Royston, Rob Worrincy, Jon Goddard, Lee Paterson, Paul White; Luke Branighan, Ben Black, Makali Aizue, Sean Penkywicz, Dominic Maloney, David Larder, Dave Wrench, Stanley Gene. Subs: Mark Gleeson, Anthony Bowman, Said Tamghart, Frank Watene.
Tries: Worrincy (23), White (29), Paterson (33), Royston (72), Penkywicz (76).
Goals: Paterson 3/4, Branighan 2/2.
Referee: Rob Hicks
Penalties: 10-10.
Attendance: 3,286.
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
Championships Results & Round Up from W/E 14/03/2010
Thursday:
Championship:
Batley 24 HALIFAX 34
Friday:
Championship One:
BLACKPOOL 36 Rochdale 14
Hunslet 16 OLDHAM 29
Saturday:
Championship:
WHITEHAVEN 34 Toulouse 20
Sunday:
Championship:
Dewsbury 10 FEATHERSTONE 40
Keighley 12 LEIGH 34
Sheffield 30 WIDNES 44
Championship One:
Doncaster 8 SOUTH WALES 18
London Skolars 16 SWINTON 52
WORKINGTON 32 York 22
After a day or so of not posting anything and sorting out programme deadlines I'm back with my thoughts on the weekend's action. Some interesting results, with Batley doing well to fight back and claim a bonus point. Okay the game wasn't the best but in Jonny Campbell the Bulldogs have a man that just can't stop scoring at the moment.
A big pat on the back should also go to Oldham's Matt Ashe who defied blurred vision from a mild eye injury to lead Oldham to victory over Hunslet and ensure that after two games the embattled club sit top of the table. Ashe scored two tries and kicked four goals.
Mick Nanyn looks to be running into point scoring form again after a slightly subdued start to the season. Seven games in he has scored 6 tries and kicked 22 goals for 68 points, 18 of which came against Keighley.
On the same vein I must also credit Lee Waterman. This time last year he was playing amateur rugby for Skirlaugh Bulls but the York centre has taken to the pro game like a duck to water. So far he has scored 11 tries this season and kicked 27 goals for an excellent 98 points. Even this has been topped by Widnes Vikings Shane Grady who continues to go from strength to strength as a goal kicker. From a starting point of 2 from 6 against Gateshead, he has continued to build his percentages - kicking 8 from 12 a week ago against Wigan St Judes before landing 8 from 8 at Sheffield when the pressure was on. He has now kicked 38 goals to lead the goal kicking charts ahead of Halifax' Lee Paterson (34) and became the first player to reach 100 points in the game this season.
Result of the week came at Derwent Park Workington where Town roared to a brilliant 30-6 half-time lead before a revival in the second half earned York a bonus point. Key to victory for town were halfbacks Scott Kaighan and Liam Finch while veteran Neil Frazer got a good write-up in the RL trade press.
Blackpool only named nine ex Leigh players in their team against Rochdale and also paraded new dual contract signings Chris Tuson and Neil Holland (Wigan).
Just out of interest here are the top try, goal and point scorers outside of Super League:
CO-OPERATIVE CHAMPIONSHIP AND CHAMPIONSHIP ONE CLUBS
(All matches, including Carnegie Challenge Cup and Northern Rail Cup)
Tries
Johnny Campbell (Batley) 11
Lee Waterman (York) 11
Shad Royston (Halifax) 8
Dave Alstead (Leigh) 7
Jesse-Joe Parker (Featherstone) 7
Craig Cook (Sheffield) 7
Wayne McHugh (Hunslet) 7
Lucas Onyango (Oldham) 7
Goals
Shane Grady (Widnes) 38
Lee Patterson (Halifax) 34
Gareth Moore (Batley) 33
Matt Ashe (Oldham) 29
Jamie Rooney (Barrow) 29
Lee Waterman (York) 27
Wayne McHugh (Hunslet) 23
Gavin Dodd (Swinton) 23
Tom Hemingway (Blackpool) 23
Mick Nanyn (Leigh) 22
Scott Kaighan (Workington) 22
( ) Drop goals included in total
Points
Shane Grady (Widnes) 100
Lee Waterman (York) 98
Gareth Moore (Batley) 78
Wayne McHugh (Hunslet) 74
Matt Ashe (Oldham) 74
Lee Patterson (Halifax) 72
Jamie Rooney (Barrow) 70
Mick Nanyn (Leigh) 68
Gavin Dodd (Swinton) 66
Scott Kaighan (Workington) 60
Championship:
Batley 24 HALIFAX 34
Friday:
Championship One:
BLACKPOOL 36 Rochdale 14
Hunslet 16 OLDHAM 29
Saturday:
Championship:
WHITEHAVEN 34 Toulouse 20
Sunday:
Championship:
Dewsbury 10 FEATHERSTONE 40
Keighley 12 LEIGH 34
Sheffield 30 WIDNES 44
Championship One:
Doncaster 8 SOUTH WALES 18
London Skolars 16 SWINTON 52
WORKINGTON 32 York 22
After a day or so of not posting anything and sorting out programme deadlines I'm back with my thoughts on the weekend's action. Some interesting results, with Batley doing well to fight back and claim a bonus point. Okay the game wasn't the best but in Jonny Campbell the Bulldogs have a man that just can't stop scoring at the moment.
A big pat on the back should also go to Oldham's Matt Ashe who defied blurred vision from a mild eye injury to lead Oldham to victory over Hunslet and ensure that after two games the embattled club sit top of the table. Ashe scored two tries and kicked four goals.
Mick Nanyn looks to be running into point scoring form again after a slightly subdued start to the season. Seven games in he has scored 6 tries and kicked 22 goals for 68 points, 18 of which came against Keighley.
On the same vein I must also credit Lee Waterman. This time last year he was playing amateur rugby for Skirlaugh Bulls but the York centre has taken to the pro game like a duck to water. So far he has scored 11 tries this season and kicked 27 goals for an excellent 98 points. Even this has been topped by Widnes Vikings Shane Grady who continues to go from strength to strength as a goal kicker. From a starting point of 2 from 6 against Gateshead, he has continued to build his percentages - kicking 8 from 12 a week ago against Wigan St Judes before landing 8 from 8 at Sheffield when the pressure was on. He has now kicked 38 goals to lead the goal kicking charts ahead of Halifax' Lee Paterson (34) and became the first player to reach 100 points in the game this season.
Result of the week came at Derwent Park Workington where Town roared to a brilliant 30-6 half-time lead before a revival in the second half earned York a bonus point. Key to victory for town were halfbacks Scott Kaighan and Liam Finch while veteran Neil Frazer got a good write-up in the RL trade press.
Blackpool only named nine ex Leigh players in their team against Rochdale and also paraded new dual contract signings Chris Tuson and Neil Holland (Wigan).
Just out of interest here are the top try, goal and point scorers outside of Super League:
CO-OPERATIVE CHAMPIONSHIP AND CHAMPIONSHIP ONE CLUBS
(All matches, including Carnegie Challenge Cup and Northern Rail Cup)
Tries
Johnny Campbell (Batley) 11
Lee Waterman (York) 11
Shad Royston (Halifax) 8
Dave Alstead (Leigh) 7
Jesse-Joe Parker (Featherstone) 7
Craig Cook (Sheffield) 7
Wayne McHugh (Hunslet) 7
Lucas Onyango (Oldham) 7
Goals
Shane Grady (Widnes) 38
Lee Patterson (Halifax) 34
Gareth Moore (Batley) 33
Matt Ashe (Oldham) 29
Jamie Rooney (Barrow) 29
Lee Waterman (York) 27
Wayne McHugh (Hunslet) 23
Gavin Dodd (Swinton) 23
Tom Hemingway (Blackpool) 23
Mick Nanyn (Leigh) 22
Scott Kaighan (Workington) 22
( ) Drop goals included in total
Points
Shane Grady (Widnes) 100
Lee Waterman (York) 98
Gareth Moore (Batley) 78
Wayne McHugh (Hunslet) 74
Matt Ashe (Oldham) 74
Lee Patterson (Halifax) 72
Jamie Rooney (Barrow) 70
Mick Nanyn (Leigh) 68
Gavin Dodd (Swinton) 66
Scott Kaighan (Workington) 60
Sunday, 28 February 2010
Co-operative Championship Match Report: WIDNES VIKINGS 72 KEIGHLEY COUGARS 10
Promoted Keighley Cougars had won their previous nine games before running into an expansive Widnes Vikings who passed and offloaded well and had a backline that was full of pace and strength. It was a complete mismatch at the Stobart Stadium Halton.
Centre of attention were the Vikings two young middle backs, Dean Thompson and Shane Grady. Both showed a hunger to take the ball in and their prowess inside the Keighley twenty metre area was impressive, resulting in try hat-tricks for the pair with Grady also booting ten goals.
The rout began in the 4th minute when Grady went through. The form of dual contract signing Liam Farrell was also impressive and he set the tone and position for the second try when good passing left saw Grady find Matt Gardner at the corner. A touchline goal from Grady made it 12-0 and the Cougars began to stir with props Andy Shickell and Brendan Rawlings making yards. Unfortunately on the back of their good work little followed.
Twenty two minutes in, the Vikings third try came when a quick tap penalty saw Farell accelerate, twist and spin out of a tackle only for Cougars fullback George Raynor to chase back and then deny supporting Dave Houghton. The ball then moved right at pace and Anthony Thackeray sent Thompson in for his first try. The centre was then held up over the line but that only delayed the inevitable and Dave Allen finished by the posts for Grady to goal and make it 22-0.
On the half hour, Farrell notched a well earned try when he followed Houghton before the Cougars scored their only try of the first half. It was a well worked effort, stand-off Jon Presley slipping a tackle before grubber kicking to the corner for Gavin Duffy to finish well. Danny Jones added the difficult goal but 28-6 was as close as it got for the Cougars despite some impressive work around dummy half from Jamaine Wray.
With time ticking away in the first half a late raid on the left brought a powerful finish from Grady and he booted a fifth goal to make it 34-6 at half-time.
Cougars held their line for five minutes of the second half before Grady stormed through for his hat-trick off Farrell. Thompson had seen a try disallowed but there was no denying him after 49 minutes when he took a Thackeray pass and bludgeoned over. Grady goaled both tries but narrowly missed the conversion attempt to Thompson's hat-trick which brought up the fifty point mark for the Vikings and came after more good work from Thackeray.
Keighley gave a spirited response and pulled a try back from wing Craig Moss after a peach of a pass from Danny Jones, but this only seemed to antagonise the Vikings and they cut loose to score four more tries before the end. First Thomas Coyle scurried over after 66 minutes before Richard Varkulis cut in from his unfamiliar wing position to carry a defender over. Five minutes from the end Thackeray claimed a deserved try thanks to a combination of trickery and footwork before Scott Yates burned off the cover before the end to take the Vikings to 72 points and end a satisfactory afternoon's work.
WIDNES: Scott Yates, Richard Varkulis, Dean Thompson, Shane Grady, Matt Gardner; Anthony Thackeray, James Webster; Ben Kavanagh, Mark Smith, Jim Gannon, Liam Farrell, Lee Doran, Dave Allen. Subs: Thomas Coyle, Chris Gerard, Ben Davies, Dave Houghton.
Tries: Grady 4, 38, 45, Gardner 10, Thompson 22, 49, 56, Allen 27, Farrell 30, Coyle 66, Varkulis 71, Thackeray 75, Yates 77.
Goals: Grady 10/13.
KEIGHLEY: George Raynor, Craig Moss, Tom Burton, Ollie Pursglove, Gavin Duffy; Jon Presley, Danny Jones; Andy Shickell, James Feather, Brendan Rawlins, Will Cartledge, Richard Jones, Ben Sagar.
Subs: Jamaine Wray, James Haythornthwaite, Scott Law, Ryan Benjafield.
Tries: Duffy 34, Moss 62.
Goals: Jones 1/2.
Centre of attention were the Vikings two young middle backs, Dean Thompson and Shane Grady. Both showed a hunger to take the ball in and their prowess inside the Keighley twenty metre area was impressive, resulting in try hat-tricks for the pair with Grady also booting ten goals.
The rout began in the 4th minute when Grady went through. The form of dual contract signing Liam Farrell was also impressive and he set the tone and position for the second try when good passing left saw Grady find Matt Gardner at the corner. A touchline goal from Grady made it 12-0 and the Cougars began to stir with props Andy Shickell and Brendan Rawlings making yards. Unfortunately on the back of their good work little followed.
Twenty two minutes in, the Vikings third try came when a quick tap penalty saw Farell accelerate, twist and spin out of a tackle only for Cougars fullback George Raynor to chase back and then deny supporting Dave Houghton. The ball then moved right at pace and Anthony Thackeray sent Thompson in for his first try. The centre was then held up over the line but that only delayed the inevitable and Dave Allen finished by the posts for Grady to goal and make it 22-0.
On the half hour, Farrell notched a well earned try when he followed Houghton before the Cougars scored their only try of the first half. It was a well worked effort, stand-off Jon Presley slipping a tackle before grubber kicking to the corner for Gavin Duffy to finish well. Danny Jones added the difficult goal but 28-6 was as close as it got for the Cougars despite some impressive work around dummy half from Jamaine Wray.
With time ticking away in the first half a late raid on the left brought a powerful finish from Grady and he booted a fifth goal to make it 34-6 at half-time.
Cougars held their line for five minutes of the second half before Grady stormed through for his hat-trick off Farrell. Thompson had seen a try disallowed but there was no denying him after 49 minutes when he took a Thackeray pass and bludgeoned over. Grady goaled both tries but narrowly missed the conversion attempt to Thompson's hat-trick which brought up the fifty point mark for the Vikings and came after more good work from Thackeray.
Keighley gave a spirited response and pulled a try back from wing Craig Moss after a peach of a pass from Danny Jones, but this only seemed to antagonise the Vikings and they cut loose to score four more tries before the end. First Thomas Coyle scurried over after 66 minutes before Richard Varkulis cut in from his unfamiliar wing position to carry a defender over. Five minutes from the end Thackeray claimed a deserved try thanks to a combination of trickery and footwork before Scott Yates burned off the cover before the end to take the Vikings to 72 points and end a satisfactory afternoon's work.
WIDNES: Scott Yates, Richard Varkulis, Dean Thompson, Shane Grady, Matt Gardner; Anthony Thackeray, James Webster; Ben Kavanagh, Mark Smith, Jim Gannon, Liam Farrell, Lee Doran, Dave Allen. Subs: Thomas Coyle, Chris Gerard, Ben Davies, Dave Houghton.
Tries: Grady 4, 38, 45, Gardner 10, Thompson 22, 49, 56, Allen 27, Farrell 30, Coyle 66, Varkulis 71, Thackeray 75, Yates 77.
Goals: Grady 10/13.
KEIGHLEY: George Raynor, Craig Moss, Tom Burton, Ollie Pursglove, Gavin Duffy; Jon Presley, Danny Jones; Andy Shickell, James Feather, Brendan Rawlins, Will Cartledge, Richard Jones, Ben Sagar.
Subs: Jamaine Wray, James Haythornthwaite, Scott Law, Ryan Benjafield.
Tries: Duffy 34, Moss 62.
Goals: Jones 1/2.
Monday, 22 February 2010
KEIGHLEY COUGARS DOCKED NINE POINTS AHEAD OF CHAMPIONSHIP START
The Cougars will start on -9 points after a decision came from the Rugby League regarding their entrance into administration. A similar fate befell Widnes Vikings in 2008 while Rochdale Hornets also started on minus points last term in Championship One and during the course of the year Doncaster also saw points docked.
The previous Cougars company - Keighley Cougars (2001) Ltd hit trouble and a new company was formed.
A brief statement released by the RFL read:
The RFL have confirmed that Keighley Cougars will start their Co-operative Championship season on minus nine points as a result of going into administration in December 2009.
The decision was taken after the RFL Board agreed to admit Keighley Cougars (2010) Limited as a member of the RFL.
Keighley will start their league campaign next Sunday with an away fixture against Widnes Vikings.
At last week's Co-operative League Launch, Dave Parkinson caught up with Cougars Australian prop Brendan Rawlins.
"It was always going to be a hard battle and we know we will start on minus points but I think we will do quite well." The forward said. "We are nice and fit this year and have been training hard in the off-season so anything can happen."
"We've gone well against Whitehaven and Workington."
"The base of our team this year is similar to our Grand Final team lst year. There's only been a few other lads brought in."
The Cougars are a team in form. Taking into account last seasons form, Keighley have won their last nine games, although they face the prospect of meeting Barrow in a future midweek game after the last round of Northern Rail Cup fixtures was decimated by snowfall across Northern England.
"Sadly I only came back from Australia for the second half of the year but hopefully we can follow that on. I had to spend six months back home sorting visas out but hopefully I can play more this year. I had to go back to Australia to apply for a work visa again and it was just a long process."
It will be a testing league opener for the Cougars on Sunday when they take on Widnes Vikings.
I'll have a report of that game online.
The previous Cougars company - Keighley Cougars (2001) Ltd hit trouble and a new company was formed.
A brief statement released by the RFL read:
The RFL have confirmed that Keighley Cougars will start their Co-operative Championship season on minus nine points as a result of going into administration in December 2009.
The decision was taken after the RFL Board agreed to admit Keighley Cougars (2010) Limited as a member of the RFL.
Keighley will start their league campaign next Sunday with an away fixture against Widnes Vikings.
At last week's Co-operative League Launch, Dave Parkinson caught up with Cougars Australian prop Brendan Rawlins.
"It was always going to be a hard battle and we know we will start on minus points but I think we will do quite well." The forward said. "We are nice and fit this year and have been training hard in the off-season so anything can happen."
"We've gone well against Whitehaven and Workington."
"The base of our team this year is similar to our Grand Final team lst year. There's only been a few other lads brought in."
The Cougars are a team in form. Taking into account last seasons form, Keighley have won their last nine games, although they face the prospect of meeting Barrow in a future midweek game after the last round of Northern Rail Cup fixtures was decimated by snowfall across Northern England.
"Sadly I only came back from Australia for the second half of the year but hopefully we can follow that on. I had to spend six months back home sorting visas out but hopefully I can play more this year. I had to go back to Australia to apply for a work visa again and it was just a long process."
It will be a testing league opener for the Cougars on Sunday when they take on Widnes Vikings.
I'll have a report of that game online.
Thursday, 18 February 2010
Co-operative Championships Launch - an account
Dave Parkinson ventured to the launch of the Co-operative Championships at the Manchester Evening News Arena. Here are his thoughts and an account of the event.
I got to Manchester at 11.50 this morning and parked the car on the old brewery site opposite the Arena before making my way under old, dark and damp railway arches, down the side of the Arena and then through old buildings that make up Manchester Victoria Railway Station. It was pretty busy and I momentarily joined the throng of people shuffling hastily between platforms. While glancing around the face of Leigh skipper Robbie Paul looked back from a poster advertising the ongoing cup competition.
I followed the signs for the Arena and was surprised when I passed a fast food outlet to see lots of young people sitting round, outside entrances and exits to the venue.
Little did I know that Lady GaGa was performing in the city in the evening - gee these people still had a long wait!
My destination was not the Arena itself, rather a bar area called simply "The View". I was greeted by a pleasant chap and then guided to four seperate people through the myriad of corridors, stairs and stairwells, following signs for "CO-OPERATIVE LAUNCH THIS WAY". I was obviously on the right track, no that was the other launch I went to a few weeks ago!
Anyway, I reached this nice bar area, a long room with a seating area to the left and after announcing my arrival to Nick Boothroyd and Craig Spence of the RFL, I plonked my computer and myself down in a corner. I'd read the RFL briefing that three young actresses were to be at the event and wondered what to expect.
A big flat screen TV above the bar played SKY highlights of Championship 2009 games, it was very entertaining and I even saw Leigh on there scoring tries and tackling!
After a bit of mingling with fellow journalists, catching up on gossip and observing various players arriving such as (from memory) Andrew Thornley (Whitehaven), Stuart Donlan (Leigh), Gareth Moore (Batley), Austin Buchanan (Dewsbury), Mark Smith (Widnes), Dave Larder (Halifax), Brendan Rawlins (Keighley), Phil Wood (Rochdale) and Paul Smith (Swinton), the three actresses all of Corrie, or former Corrie fame, Michelle Keegan, Helen Flanagan and Lucy-Jo Hudson also arrived before an RFL spokesperson explained the format of the event
Lucy-Jo Hudson then gave Rugby League the thumbs up, speaking of her love for the sport and telling the room about her brother "Super League player Ryan Hudson from Castleford." I don't mean this to sound cynical, it really was nice to hear her speak about such things.
The players were then led off to pose for a whole posse of photographs with and without the celebs who were accomodating to requests and Co-Operative branding was well to the fore, as you would expect to be fair at any event where a major sponsor is putting in a big investment.
By this time a couple of coaches were knocking around the room and I chatted with John Stankevitch about amongst other thing, the goings-on at Rochdale Hornets, the progress of former Leigh players, modern refereeing and old video sessions with Ian Millward at St Helens.
I also chatted to Paul March of Hunslet, more of which you'll see on here in the next couple of weeks and also the Leigh East programme for their historic Challenge Cup game against his side.
Buffet lunch was served and as the players came back in their twos and threes there was constant pen activity and clicking of recording devices as the journo's got their stories and asked their questions.
The theme for this years Championships is "League for All" with results from recently revealed viewing figures putting Rugby League top of the tree when it comes to female audience share - 35% compared with 29% for Premiership Football and 25% for Ashes Cricket.
Liz Matkin, The Co-operative Group’s Head of Sponsorship, commented: “We’re delighted to have Helen, Michelle and Lucy-Jo involved in championing women’s interest in Rugby League.
“These stats show that the sport really does offer something for everyone and we’re proud to get behind a sport which brings so much to the community – whatever gender or age!
“Being good for everyone is the heart of the Co-operative’s core business as a community retailer. We look forward to another exciting 2010 Co-operative Championship season.”
The launch started to disperse and in the knowledge I was due back in work for 2.30pm, I did the same making my way past a larger crowd of GaGa fans on the way. Championship Rugby is almost back on the map and in just a few days Leigh take on Barrow in the season opener at the LSV. Hopefully in the words of a famous Irish comedian "it's a cracker".
I got to Manchester at 11.50 this morning and parked the car on the old brewery site opposite the Arena before making my way under old, dark and damp railway arches, down the side of the Arena and then through old buildings that make up Manchester Victoria Railway Station. It was pretty busy and I momentarily joined the throng of people shuffling hastily between platforms. While glancing around the face of Leigh skipper Robbie Paul looked back from a poster advertising the ongoing cup competition.
I followed the signs for the Arena and was surprised when I passed a fast food outlet to see lots of young people sitting round, outside entrances and exits to the venue.
Little did I know that Lady GaGa was performing in the city in the evening - gee these people still had a long wait!
My destination was not the Arena itself, rather a bar area called simply "The View". I was greeted by a pleasant chap and then guided to four seperate people through the myriad of corridors, stairs and stairwells, following signs for "CO-OPERATIVE LAUNCH THIS WAY". I was obviously on the right track, no that was the other launch I went to a few weeks ago!
Anyway, I reached this nice bar area, a long room with a seating area to the left and after announcing my arrival to Nick Boothroyd and Craig Spence of the RFL, I plonked my computer and myself down in a corner. I'd read the RFL briefing that three young actresses were to be at the event and wondered what to expect.
A big flat screen TV above the bar played SKY highlights of Championship 2009 games, it was very entertaining and I even saw Leigh on there scoring tries and tackling!
After a bit of mingling with fellow journalists, catching up on gossip and observing various players arriving such as (from memory) Andrew Thornley (Whitehaven), Stuart Donlan (Leigh), Gareth Moore (Batley), Austin Buchanan (Dewsbury), Mark Smith (Widnes), Dave Larder (Halifax), Brendan Rawlins (Keighley), Phil Wood (Rochdale) and Paul Smith (Swinton), the three actresses all of Corrie, or former Corrie fame, Michelle Keegan, Helen Flanagan and Lucy-Jo Hudson also arrived before an RFL spokesperson explained the format of the event
Lucy-Jo Hudson then gave Rugby League the thumbs up, speaking of her love for the sport and telling the room about her brother "Super League player Ryan Hudson from Castleford." I don't mean this to sound cynical, it really was nice to hear her speak about such things.
The players were then led off to pose for a whole posse of photographs with and without the celebs who were accomodating to requests and Co-Operative branding was well to the fore, as you would expect to be fair at any event where a major sponsor is putting in a big investment.
By this time a couple of coaches were knocking around the room and I chatted with John Stankevitch about amongst other thing, the goings-on at Rochdale Hornets, the progress of former Leigh players, modern refereeing and old video sessions with Ian Millward at St Helens.
I also chatted to Paul March of Hunslet, more of which you'll see on here in the next couple of weeks and also the Leigh East programme for their historic Challenge Cup game against his side.
Buffet lunch was served and as the players came back in their twos and threes there was constant pen activity and clicking of recording devices as the journo's got their stories and asked their questions.
The theme for this years Championships is "League for All" with results from recently revealed viewing figures putting Rugby League top of the tree when it comes to female audience share - 35% compared with 29% for Premiership Football and 25% for Ashes Cricket.
Liz Matkin, The Co-operative Group’s Head of Sponsorship, commented: “We’re delighted to have Helen, Michelle and Lucy-Jo involved in championing women’s interest in Rugby League.
“These stats show that the sport really does offer something for everyone and we’re proud to get behind a sport which brings so much to the community – whatever gender or age!
“Being good for everyone is the heart of the Co-operative’s core business as a community retailer. We look forward to another exciting 2010 Co-operative Championship season.”
The launch started to disperse and in the knowledge I was due back in work for 2.30pm, I did the same making my way past a larger crowd of GaGa fans on the way. Championship Rugby is almost back on the map and in just a few days Leigh take on Barrow in the season opener at the LSV. Hopefully in the words of a famous Irish comedian "it's a cracker".
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