The thread title does not suggest Hull have won the cup, merely discussing the route it would be to be successful in lifting the cup.




As regards your statement, when Hull won it in 2005, that was a tricky route (more games to play) but not to the intensity of this year should Hull win it.

It got me thinking about the opposite of this. In 1992 Hull made it to the semi final by beating 3 second division teams. Cas then beat us in that semi. They did us a favour as Wigan would have created a record score in the final with the team they had then.

League structure isn't too bad. It rewards the top 4 consistent teams from round 1 and through the super 8's with a semi final. 1 game to play for the final.

For me first place would gain an automatic final and all the money that comes with being in it and an even bigger prize fund.
They would earn a week off (which some would argue is a disadvantage)
2-5 places then battle it out in the semis.
That structure would also give 8th spot more of a chance to get to the final.

Agreed on the crowds. Got to wonder if the cup is that much of a prestige and wonderful cup RL and the BBC make it out to be.
It's got a fantastic history and all clubs and fans want to get to the final... But it's becoming less exciting and expensive. It needs to be changed dramatically. Double headers, magic weekend style rounds or it needs to take a time out.
Fill the gaps to improve our international game.

St. Helens 2004 will take some beating

Regards

King James

I agree with that. I think the SL clubs should be in the Cup earlier. Preferably about Round 3. Just that I understand the RFL's rationale for putting them in later.

I agree about the rounds as well. I'd be tempted to make the quarter finals a magic weekend style round and definitely have the semis as a double header.
I'd also include the cup on people's season tickets.

As a neutral I would have been far more interested in attending a quarter final weekend or the semi-final double header than just the individual games. And even more so if it was included on a sport season ticket for example.

None of these come close to Widnes' remarkable run to the 1964 final.
First round Widnes 11 Leigh 11
Leigh 2 Widnes 14 in the replay
Second Rd Widnes 16 Liverpool City 6
Third rd Widnes 5 Swinton 5
Swinton 0 Widnes 0 in the replay
Widnes 15 Swinton 3 in the second replay
Semi Final Castleford 7 Widnes 7
Semi Final replay Widnes 7 Castleford 5
Final Hull KR 5 Widnes 13

What you on about RL was only invented in 1996

we just did

Just a quick note for the op
Although Hull's route to the final has been a tough one, it must also have been the shortest (in terms of games played) as clubs finishing in the top 8 enter tha comp later than in previous years.

Being totally honest and neutral I'd say saints 2004 takes some beating. It had an extra game to now for starters, their first game was away at the then treble winners. Second game against eventiual champions and previous years CC finalists. Decent hulls team QF (placed second in the league for much of 2004, finished 3rd) Resurgent Huddersfield semi, derby in the final.

Can't remember a tougher run than that.

Myth that Wigan get easy cup draws, 2013 aside.

Barrow (H)
Bradford (A)
Wire (A) - spanked them when they were red hot
Saints (S)
Leeds (F)

2011.

Derby got to the challenge cup final? that's a great achievement

No you didn't. This whole thread has been another fc slurpathon what do you want? Every other teams fans to slap you on back and tickle your balls?you lot have spent years bemoaning leeds and wigan fans for being 'bad winner's 'now one decent season yet to win anything it's every thread Hull Attention seeking.im fully aware kr have had another poor season and I'm not bitter just resigned to our middle 8 crap fest ...probably competing in both major finals,it's not by chance so just enjoy it

Saints had main backs out.catalans had loads out wigan had plenty out..to be fair you had Dean Hadley with an ingrowing toenail.im sort of defeating my own argument but so what..warry v hull final on paper looks tasty..I await the swarm of indignant fc fans outraged that I dare cast doubts on that they have had toughest ever run to Wembley. They haven't but so what they are there

Well it won't be as embarrassing as last years masterpiece.

Tilt...

That remains to be seen..

No, it really hasn't been.

I started this thread to discuss / compare different route to the CC final, starting it off with the fact that Hull have played top teams so far and with complete the set of top 5 teams.

You have a recent track record or derailing threads, certainly on the Hull forum, which quite frankly is immature and down right boring.

Not posted on hull forum for a while and have no intention of doing so in future.my posts on VT are on topic sorry to go against your views it's an open forum

Some Rervers fans haven't half got the nark on this year , can't understand why!

No you didn't.

Oh and by the way, St Helens also won the cup so that was 5 teams out of the top 6 they beat. Saints being the other top 6 club

Regards

King James

What's that got to do with this thread Ian?

Wigan > Hull, Hull > Rotterdam/Zeebrugge, Zeebrugge > Calais, Calais > Dover, Dover > London.

Wakefield's route must be pretty tough, as they never ever get there.

Apologies to supporters of quite a few clubs, but 1979, for crying out loud.

Toughest route, my heart bleeds.

Now that would be some route