|
Post by davemorton on Mar 3, 2024 20:36:59 GMT
I was trying to get interested in the Hull FC v London game, but failing. What an awful standard!
I started fiddling with my computer, looking for something which led to a link to YouTube, and there in front of me was England Rugby's site, with an U15 Vase semi-final. That wasn't so good either! But it was followed by the Cup semi-final, Radley School v Millfield, and that was like watching a Prem game in miniature. I think seven of the Millfield lads were in the Bath Academy.
Not that it did them any good, because Radley's huge pack smashed them. Easily the best game I've seen this weekend, either code. Radley is more famous for cricket, with Dexter and Strauss their standouts. The other semi was won by Northampton School for Boys, who had earlier come from 19-0 down to win, against whom I do not know.
So Northampton and Radley meet in Tuesday's final at Saracens. Big finals day, with U18 and U15, both Cup and Vase, and possibly Girls' finals too? Not sure. That will be on YouTube, all day. Great event.
|
|
|
Post by hawke on Mar 3, 2024 21:58:14 GMT
Have I mentioned this before…possibly.’ But linking Swinton and Hull, 2 recently mentioned clubs. In 1980 in my first year teaching, in London, I travelled to Swinton to see Hull in the RL Cup semi final. Changed at Manchester of course. They beat Widnes with a late score. The Swinton ground had already lost one end to a Squash Centre I think it was. Yes they were strong in the 60s. I recall the names of Gowers and Stopford.
Wath Brow Hornets are based at Cleator Moor in Cumberland by the way.
I see Yorkshire clubs dominate the RL National Conference Premier's League numerically at the moment. Our friends York Acorn are in it as are fellow York club Heworth. I was in Heworth early Sat morning but did not have time to look for the ground.
46 BARLA clubs play in the 4 divisions of the National Conference. I have only ever been to one, Dudley Hill in Bradford.
|
|
|
Post by hawke on Mar 3, 2024 22:04:24 GMT
Dave did Yorkshire RU Under 20s play Lancs U 20s at Sedgley recently? I can’t find a score.
Oh just found it. Lancs won 21-20.
|
|
|
Post by davemorton on Mar 4, 2024 2:44:41 GMT
I was going to attend, the SP Colts game first, then the County U20s. They overlapped, but I could have seen almost an hour of each, I suppose. In the end, I was so tired after staying up all night watching cricket, that I couldn't be bothered. Just as well. The Colts lost to Penrith, in the first round of the League Cup, which was not in the script. Each club had won at home, in the league matches.
Not much Sedgley presence in the U20s. just one player who I don't know. Amazingly, there were 6 from Rochdale in the starting line-up. Rochdale are nowhere near as good as Ilkley, as a club, but someone there is doing something right. I hope it pays off for them. More likely, they will just produce good players for us to nick off them, which is sad. It's more a RL grass-roots area, Rochdale.
I've been on Heworth for several cricket matches, when I was with Manchester Schools. Liam Botham played against us in one of those games. Jack Leaning's club, of course. Quite an impressive multi-sport set up, very well maintained, back then, at least.
|
|
|
Post by newby on Mar 4, 2024 18:20:52 GMT
Sad to hear of the death of my first sporting hero Lewis Jones today. 1961 I think was the first time I saw his hairy legs flashing past my face in what is now the South Stand.
He looked like the teacher he was but in those days his raw speed was a cut above anyone else, and when he found some space he used to leave defenders gasping in his wake.
92 year old and a regular at Headingley until the end of last season. RIP.
|
|
|
Post by davemorton on Mar 7, 2024 8:35:48 GMT
I think I saw Lewis Jones, live, just the once. I know I was bought his (ghosted) autobiography for my birthday, around 14 or 15.
There is a game on tonight, Thursday, in the U20 Six Nations. Wales v France, k.o. 7.45pm. It is on S4C and certainly on the BBC red button also. The other two games are on Friday, including England v Ireland at Bath.
|
|
|
Post by hawke on Mar 7, 2024 18:50:08 GMT
Sad to hear of the death of my first sporting hero Lewis Jones today. 1961 I think was the first time I saw his hairy legs flashing past my face in what is now the South Stand. He looked like the teacher he was but in those days his raw speed was a cut above anyone else, and when he found some space he used to leave defenders gasping in his wake. 92 year old and a regular at Headingley until the end of last season. RIP. One of my dad’s all-time favourites. I’m just too young to have seen him. My first RL match was Hull v Bramley in around 1966. We had been in Hull a couple of years and Bramley was the nearest club to our first home.
|
|
|
Post by hawke on Mar 7, 2024 19:03:05 GMT
re the Lancs v Yorks U 20s teams and the surprising number of Rochdale players in the Lancs side, well the Yorks squad had 2 from Wharfedale and 5 from North Ribblesdale (Settle), despite Wharfedale’s much higher league status. And good to see 2 from Redcar.
None from Doncaster, Rotherham or Leeds which suggests their youth policy is not currently strong. Well 1 from Doncaster Phoenix but it is technically a different organisation to Doncaster Knights.
|
|
|
Post by newby on Mar 7, 2024 19:11:57 GMT
Wrong side of Hull for you Hawke as the Robins take on Warrington this evening. Lots of RL over the weekend, with the 4 Challenge Cup 5th round games added to the usual half dozen Super league matches.
Thurs Hull KR v Warrington Fri Leigh v Leeds, St Helens v Salford and Castleford v Huddersfield. Sat London v Wigan, Catalans v Hull FC. Plus Swinton v Sheffield and Widnes v Batley in the Challenge Cup. Sun Featherston v Wakefield Trinity and Halifax v York Acorns in the Cup.
Challenge Cup draw for round 6, when the Super league clubs join, is on Monday.
|
|
|
Post by hawke on Mar 7, 2024 22:11:47 GMT
Wrong side of Hull for you Hawke as the Robins take on Warrington this evening. Lots of RL over the weekend, with the 4 Challenge Cup 5th round games added to the usual half dozen Super league matches. Thurs Hull KR v Warrington Fri Leigh v Leeds, St Helens v Salford and Castleford v Huddersfield. Sat London v Wigan, Catalans v Hull FC. Plus Swinton v Sheffield and Widnes v Batley in the Challenge Cup. Sun Featherston v Wakefield Trinity and Halifax v York Acorns in the Cup. Challenge Cup draw for round 6, when the Super league clubs join, is on Monday. sounds like a very close cut and thrust match between Rovers and The Wirepullers.
|
|
|
Post by davemorton on Mar 8, 2024 9:29:07 GMT
Looking forward to a weekend of rugby, with the remaining U20 games tonight, and the meeting of England and Ireland, especially. France hammered Wales on the plastic pitch at Cardiff on Thursday. Boring game, I lost interest before half time. Japanese referee, which was unusual. Having seen Warrington's winning try against Hull KR, I wish I had watched that, instead.
Saturday's main event is Sedgley Park v Darlington Mowden Park, another toughie at Park Lane. DMP beat us at their place in the middle of our good pre-Christmas run. This will be followed by England v Ireland, nicely timed for 4.45 pm, which should ensure a packed clubhouse and excellent bar takings. I will be misanthropically watching from home.
Elsewhere, Doncaster are at London Scottish, in the Championship. Down in League Two, Leeds have a potentially tricky trip to Wharfedale, who play well on their own sloping pitch, but not well enough, I suspect. Huddersfield might fancy their chances on Preston's plastic.
|
|
|
Post by newby on Mar 8, 2024 11:47:14 GMT
The Hull KR v Warrington game was very good and a bit of a surprise, certainly for the Robins, that Warrington won. Pitch looked like it could do with a dash of sunshine and drying winds, for about a month.
Leeds I think are just about favourites to beat Leigh tonight, famous last words.
I think I'm going to needs 3 screens open on my PC to watch Leigh v Leeds, Sheffield Wednesday v Leeds United, and the U20 England v Ireland game.
|
|
|
Post by newby on Mar 8, 2024 22:37:47 GMT
It might be a pipe dream but if the Twickenham England v Ireland, is as good as the Bath England U20 v Ireland U20, it will be well worth watching.
I was watching two terrific Rugby matches, different codes at the same time with some selective switching and a football score flash every now and then.
It turned out well for both Leeds teams, which is a relief, until next week.
|
|
|
Post by donnylad on Mar 9, 2024 12:26:23 GMT
Newby ..I think I'm going to needs 3 screens ..
A few years ago I invested in 2 x 53 cm monitors for my desk PC. That was to enable side by side working across 21 open spreadsheets for my FoodBank admin work.
It is ideal arrangement for sport watching too especially if I keep the footy scores open on the laptop as well. I have a separate screen for the laptop too - again for work really - but it makes watching livestream cricket especially good because of the larger viewing area.
Total investment about £300 .... the same 3 are available for less than that now, more like £200.
It means there are no arguments about who is watching what as well!!
If you computer(s) can support 2 screens it is really worthwhile and invaluable for work as well.
|
|
|
Post by newby on Mar 9, 2024 19:16:16 GMT
Luckily I could manage with one today. I was over the moon when Italy managed to beat Scotland and all my Christmas's came at once as England beat Ireland in the last few minutes. Ireland got pinged for more penalties than I can remember for a long time and began to look even a touch ragged at times.
I might have to watch it again to take it all in, but whatever we are trying to do seemed to work for once.
Earlier at last, an anxious game for Leeds Tykes who just managed to get over the line against Wharfedale 8-12 to preserve their unbeaten season.
|
|