These cup draws play havoc with the fixtures:-

29 March Doncaster (A)
3 April Wakefield (A)
10 April Widnes (A)


24 May Blank weekend
28 May Featherstone (A)
7 June Halifax (A)

So, two home games in May, (one, if Fax beat Widnes in the CC) one home game in June, one home game in July. Summer rugby? Bring it on!!

Yeah but on the flip side we had Skolars Whitehaven and Moscow at home in the last few weeks. Thats more than enough gate money to see us through the summer.

We should get a big caravan and all go on a summer tour -just like the s! We'd probably qualify for a grant then!

I see Cullen's not lost the magic touch, then!

anybody think that was a very poor crowd? 2200 between the 2 favourites? i was hopng wed get approaching that against batley on sunday!

Are you trying to provoke VM.....

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That's better.

What surprised me was Widnes conceded 2 tries from acting half back. Having said that it was a good game and after 72 mins I honestly thought Widnes would edge it.

I liked Black at scrum half and Penky. Fax have a good pack too. Thought Widnes lost cos of daft mistakes.

Course we,ll beat em in the NRC . We,ll see. The first 20 minutes will be critical.

Did Webster play ?

Penky is the best H/B,Hooker outside SL

No-one's ever cared about the Trains Cup.

SL, franchising et al hasn't changed that.

Yes.

We're more than capable of beating both those teams.

It was a league game.

Me thinks Starbug was being a little sarcastic of the fact that he did not orchestrate very much on the night, and could have been the invisible man

Oh well never mind……..He’d have been upset if someone hadn’t played along.

By a country mile. Had a bit of a quiet one last night though.

Think you drew the short straw in the draw especially when two teams that didnt go well in the qualifiers have practically byes into the semi final.

Agreed. Fax already looking the standout team in this league.

well starbug said in a previous thread our cup draws had not been to bad, well bloody hell all that's changed this season guys, no chance v wakey and a friday, and reckon we'll lose to fax, unless we improve tremendously quick, and what odds it will be the sky game and on a bloody thursday, just great.

I'm not overly worried, based on what I saw last night.

Remember we lost twice narrowly to Halifax last season. Arguably we should have won both games. I'd say we're an improved side from last season too.

Have faith in our lads. I honestly think we,d have beat Fev away but for a bizarre refereeing display. I,m sure you where there.

Wakefield and Halifax. Well who would you back ? We are not a Superleague side and I don,t expect us to win every game but we are not, and will not, be push overs for any side in the Championship.

PS I prefer Sunday games to Friday though and regarding the NRC draw we,ll take more support to the Shay than they would bring to the LSV.so better for our club especially if we win.

Have to say though Fax must be favourites for the game.

Man for man, I dont think there is much betweem the two teams though they have a few individuals who can turn a game in an instant. As a collective unit, Fax also have the edge. Any NL side with Penk in is going to tick. Beswick is also one of the best players in the league, and Gleeson can stand head and shoulders above too.

But a lot of their squad are no better than ours. For every Wilson, Roberts, and Greenwood we've got Taylor, Hill, and Mort. I know who I'd rather have. And slate him or not, there isnt a Fax forward who will get much change out of Hobson on his current form.

Lets not forget, we were walloping them at home last season until Hill was sent off and they went on a 15 minute 5 try (IIRC) Holroyd inspired whirlwind. There wasnt too much between us at The Shay.

I think Fax are probably the strongest team in the Division, very closely run by Widnes. Our lads are a year further on, we have in my opinion a better coach, and fully expect us to give them a game.

just hope so

No chance. Fax and widnes will smash most sides this season