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Post by slowleftarmer on Nov 30, 2023 14:44:10 GMT
i would have Smith at 10, Steward at 15 and Ford at 12. After that I probably dont know enough to know who plays alongside Ford and on the wings but I think the days of May and Daly are over surely?
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Post by tykemania on Nov 30, 2023 17:09:49 GMT
I don't think Farrell's absence is the end of the world TBH - he is a good player and all, but he is also a persistent red card risk.
Obviously it is a bit early to say too much given the likelihood of injuries, but I'd be inclined to pick either Ford or Fin Smith, with Marcus Smith on the bench because he provides options. Ollie Lawrence and Tommy Freeman in the centres and look for wings who they can get into the game. If they were thinking of Marcus Smith at full back, I'd much rather they gave Arundell the chance - he is similarly creative/explosive but full back is his specialist position rather than somewhere to stick him on a whim.
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Post by davemorton on Dec 1, 2023 9:01:24 GMT
Saturday's games must be at risk, with -5C forecast tonight, rising only to +3. Sedgley are due to play the famous 'Club', aka Blackheath. With teams travelling 200 miles, the protocol is that a local referee makes an early decision. Also known as a guess.
Nor can anyone make a team play, come kick off time, if the players deem it unfit.
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Post by karma on Dec 1, 2023 9:14:15 GMT
I've noticed, if it is to be televised that the decision to call off a game or not is often left until the last possible moment.
Underground heating is expensive to install and run and even that can be defeated by the weather⁷
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Post by newby on Dec 1, 2023 9:26:21 GMT
Lots of snow here and it's very cold but the ground seems to be so sodden it hasn't frozen as far as I can see. I wouldn't like to play rugby on it though, especially in my good clothes.
FA cup games as well this weekend on lower league pitches.
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Post by davemorton on Dec 1, 2023 14:38:25 GMT
Sedgley's game already called off. With only 26 league games in the season, nowadays, there are plenty of spare Saturdays. I think there will be a lot of postponements, all round the country. It's supposed to be fun, and where's the fun in freezing off your small parts, then breaking your leg? (Bad for the players, too!)
Sedgley Park v Blackheath (off) Tynedale v Leeds Tykes (off)
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Post by newby on Dec 1, 2023 16:07:03 GMT
Thanks Dave, probably the first of many as you say.
They've already taken two, or is it three, Saturdays out of the equation with the enforced break over Christmas/New Year.
Are recreational team allowed to play any Rugby at all in that period do you know! i.e Seniors, Juniors or New years day knockabouts.
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Post by davemorton on Dec 1, 2023 16:49:13 GMT
It's odd, isn't it, that we don't play at Christmas any more? It's the women wot did it. There used to be games on Christmas Day morning, and always on Boxing Day. Often huge punch-ups with local rivals.
I don't think there's any RFU ban. It used to be the case that if you played before Sept 1st or after April 30th, you were not insured, which effectively banned summer rugby. There was also a small window, at either end, when you were allowed to play Sevens; but not at any other time of the season. Sevens is now an Olympic Sport, and there is a full-time, World Wide, professional Sevens circuit.
Sevens is as boring as T20, to me. Wouldn't cross a narrow road to watch it.
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Post by davemorton on Dec 1, 2023 21:57:58 GMT
Oh did I enjoy this! Quins 36-3 Sale Sharks. Call that a shark!
I love everything about Harlequins, and dislike Sale second only to Saracens, so this was superb; 5-0 in tries. Smith was awesome, and Ford was also on the pitch. Somewhere.
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Post by davemorton on Dec 2, 2023 11:41:31 GMT
Basically, regarding Yorkshire clubs, everything is OFF today, at National League level.
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Post by hawke on Dec 3, 2023 10:29:21 GMT
somehow they managed to play at Pontefract
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Post by davemorton on Dec 3, 2023 11:44:35 GMT
There is an argument brewing at Caldy. Bedford turned up, the ref judged the pitch fit, Bedford thought it was fit, but some of the home players refused to play on it.
For a game to go ahead, ALL parties must agree, both the teams and the referee. Now someone has to decide what happens next. Bedford's expenses are an issue. Replay or not? Points awarded to Bedford if no replay?
Can of worms.
My cup was overflowing yesterday after Northampton won at Saracens. Farrell not playing, but the 'other Smith', Fin Smith, was at 10 for the visitors. Brilliant match. Northampton will be in the mix at the play offs. Alex Mitchell, Courtenay Lawes outstanding. Great players.
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Post by newby on Dec 3, 2023 11:49:37 GMT
Pontefract RUFC must be on a bit of high ground and not in a frost pocket. Good effort anyway.
Result that caught my eye was the bottom club beating the top club in the Championship, London Scottish beating the so far unbeatable Ealing Trailfinders.
Doncaster should be o.k today weatherwise playing the Pirates in Penzance.
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Post by davemorton on Dec 3, 2023 12:02:14 GMT
There's a certain amount of mockery on the forum, regarding Ealing's defeat to a bunch of part-timers. Less happy, is the news that Pirates have finally given up on their dream of a purpose built stadium, so they will remain, essentially, Penzance & Newlyn and will never be in the Prem under current rules.
Sedgley used to play Pontefract, pre-leagues. No one in Lancashire would play us!
Update: good win for Donny, 39-28 in Cornwall.
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Post by newby on Dec 3, 2023 17:27:54 GMT
Doncaster up to second I don't suppose they have done anything to make their ground acceptable to the powers that be in the Premiership, even if they do come out on top.
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