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Post by newby on Aug 14, 2024 7:48:43 GMT
A couple of weeks yet until the domestic Rugby Union gets going, but RL is coming towards the business end of the season.
Saturday and Sundays sees the annual 'Magic Weekend', this year being held at Elland Road.
3 games each day and I hope the pitch can take it.
Saturday 17th 1430 Hull FC v London Broncos: 1700 Wigan Warriors v St Helens: 1930 Warrington Wolves v Leeds Rhinos.
Sunday 18th 1330 Leigh Leopards v Salford Red Devils: 1600 Catalan Dragons v Hull KR: 1830 Huddersfield Giants v Castleford Tigers.
Rhino's had a good win against Wigan last week, they can't afford to lose again this season if they want to make the play-offs. Hull FC now seem to have stabilised and should manage against London.
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Post by davemorton on Aug 14, 2024 8:57:49 GMT
Sedgley are playing Wharfedale in a pre-season friendly this Saturday. Season proper begins Sept 7th.
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Post by karma on Aug 21, 2024 6:33:24 GMT
I've read that Bradford Bulls are on the point of buying back the lease to Odsal Stadium. I understand this is due to be completed in the next couple of weeks at and initial cost of £100,000 plus £160,000 spread over five years.
The Bulls currently pay rent for the massive stadium and whilst I'm not sure what detailed financial impact this change will have on the club I hope it signals a resurgence of the clubs on-field success and entertainment to its many local fans in Bradford and surrounding area. There are too many once great RL clubs , let's hope this leads to happier times for all.
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Post by davemorton on Aug 21, 2024 6:55:38 GMT
The first rugby I watched was Bradford Northern at Odsal, paying 6d to stand behind the goal. We used to move at half-time to be at the end Northern were attacking. Odd that these areas were the cheapest, basically the best angle to watch rugby from, unless you can get very high in a stand on halfway. I still stand behind the goal-line at Sedgley matches, about halfway out towards touch, great angle for photography.
And I still change ends at half-time. If it's raining I go into the stand, to protect the camera more than myself.
Sedgley played (and beat) Darlington Mowden Park last Saturday (and not Wharfedale as advertised). We now have a Sedge Media organisation, which puts out our games live on YouTube, with a very professional commentary. Fixtures proper begin with a home game against Esher on Sept 7th which, happily, is between cricket matches.
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Post by newby on Aug 21, 2024 13:06:04 GMT
Every season I keep expecting the Bradford Bulls to be up there challenging in the Championship and so far it hasn't happened and that includes this season. They need to get the finances sorted out before they can invest in players, which of course is easier said than done.
It's all about Wakefield Trinity this season of course, they have been able to keep their players knowing they were coming straight back to Super league.
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Post by davemorton on Sept 6, 2024 21:24:41 GMT
Local rugby union's big kick-off is tomorrow (7th), that's the 56 clubs in the four National Leagues. The Prem & Championship, many of whose players were involved in International tours, start in a few weeks.
Sedgley face newly promoted (but old rivals) Esher, whilst Rotherham receive much fancied Rosslyn Park - that's in National 1.
In National 2N. newly promoted Harrogate visit Billingham, who themselves survived their first season at this level.
There are two all-Yorkshire clashes, Hull v Otley, and Wharfedale v Sheffield Tigers.
Also Hull Ionians v Lymm, Leeds v Tynedale and Sheffield v Fylde.
Leeds should walk the title, but they should have last season, and lost out to Rotherham. Look out for Sheffield, who rose up the league last season, and gave Sedgley a good run out a fortnight ago.
Keep an eye on Huddersfield, relegated last season, who begin their revival at level 5. Good luck to them, and to Ilkley.
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Post by newby on Sept 6, 2024 21:42:06 GMT
Sorry Hawke, at long last Leeds Rhino's have managed to get themselves into a top 6 play-off place with a big 68-6 win over Hull FC.
They will probably have to beat both the top 2, Wigan and Hull KR, in the final two games to stay there, but, if they can't do that there's not much point anyway.
Local Rugby Union enters the scene tomorrow. Harrogate and Chester replace Rotherham and Huddersfield in National 2 North.
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Post by davemorton on Sept 6, 2024 23:42:07 GMT
I wondered what had happened to Chester. Last season they were in Nat 2 West because, of course, they are in the west - but they finished up playing all the clubs in Cornwall and Devon. They have been moved sideways, and they play Preston Grasshoppers tomorrow - same level but hundreds of miles nearer - but now newly promoted Macclesfield find themselves in the west, and they travel to Camborne! www.youtube.com/watch?v=dO3Lc5MdMiw&t=5s |
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Post by hawke on Sept 7, 2024 7:49:05 GMT
Glad for Leeds. city nearest my birth, but very gloomy about Hull FC, nearest club in my youth. Made worse by the Rovers’ return. They played in Div 2 in the 70s but this is the worst I can recall in the top flight. There was also an embarrassing takeover by Gary Hetherington involving selling Gateshead down the swanee.
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Post by hawke on Sept 7, 2024 9:09:13 GMT
Ilkley start today with a home match against Heath of Halifax who have been very strong recently. Ilkley have three new faces in the side but lack a couple of their better players. Good luck to all but especially Ilkley. Let’s stay in this division.
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Post by hawke on Sept 7, 2024 21:50:08 GMT
Crikey some match and a very unexpected finale. Ilkley scored two very late converted tries to edge it 27-25. Heath’s pack had predictably taken over in the second half and Ilkley started to be penalised and yellow carded, at one time being reduced to 13 men.
I was skulking near the corner flag by the exit and could hardly believe my eyes but we do have match winning backs! Some start to the season.
About 200 in attendance including a fair few from Halifax. Admission has gone up to £9. No cash payments for a couple of years now.
Heath had a 42yo fly half who has played in 5 Lancashire County Championship winning teams.
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Post by davemorton on Sept 7, 2024 22:47:24 GMT
Sedgley were playing newly promoted Esher. We led 20-17 at the end of an exciting first half, and trailed 20-24 after two minutes of the second.
Then something clicked. We started to tackle, perhaps we were fitter than them....whatever, we scored 45 unanswered points to win 65-24. We have some exciting new players, including a couple on loan / dual registered (if that's not the same) with Sale Sharks.
Elsewhere, Rotherham had a notable win 31-21 against Rosslyn Park, and Sale FC won 28-24 at Plymouth Albion, and not many will do that.
Next Saturday is Derby Day, and Sedge travel to Sale; Rotherham are at Darlington Mowden Park. Poor Esher have a home game against Rams; good luck! Esher are coached by Peter Winterbottom, who were useful, as Wilfred might have said.
On admission prices, I paid £8 as a club member and pensioner. The single membership is £35 for 14 matches and discounts at the bar, family membership for £55. I have no complaints whatsoever. Fantastic value for the facilities and standard of rugby.
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Post by karma on Sept 8, 2024 4:55:59 GMT
That does seem remarkable value for a couple of hours of being there, chatting with fellow supporters, and including the main event of a live game. enjoying a drink if you like.
Medical research indicates that attending a live sporting event is very beneficial for both your physical and mental well-being. I know personally I enjoy attending games, regardless of the result and feel invigorated both from the too and fro of the play but also the conversations with like-minded suporters of both teams. I've said it before, but repitition is what people of my age group do well - doctors should be issuing prescriptions to live sport , particularly through the dark winter months.
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Post by newby on Sept 8, 2024 8:02:56 GMT
Very good win for the Tykes puts them on top of the table, I hope they can complete the job and stay there this season. It will be a few weeks before it becomes clear who is likely to challenge, I hope there's a couple of teams at least and we don't have another two horse race like last season.
Sedgley Park also on top of National 1. They started well last season I seem to remember. Rotherham give us another team to look out for in that division, I'm sure they can more than hold their own.
In RL Leeds Rhino's visit to the top 6 was short lived. Catalan's needed to beat Salford but they got nowhere near. It's set to be the Rhino's Grand final next week at Wigan, if they lose they can plan their hols.
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Post by davemorton on Sept 8, 2024 9:16:01 GMT
Medical research indicates that attending a live sporting event is very beneficial for both your physical and mental well-being. I am not sure that applies to Yorkshire CCC, but yes, it is good to get out and chat with friends. Problem is, those friends get fewer and fewer, as you get older. It struck me, yesterday, how very few people in the ground I could put a name to, and none of the younger people know me. Mostly, I was talking to lads who I used to referee thirty years ago, when I was 50 and they in their 20s or 30s. Nodding acquaintances, not really friends. Same at Headingley and Scarborough. The guys I used to sit with have either died or don't attend any more. Circle of life, innit? Who would have believed that Brian Close was, actually, mortal? By the way, I am ovver t' moon wi' t' photos I took at Park Lane yesterday. 80, and improving! |
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