Surely I am now witnessing this via the BBC Red button at HT live from an all but deserted Wembley.

This is not a good advert for Championship RL, or indeed a good look for Rugby League at all.

The game kicked of 25 min late as the Challenge Cup commentary team continued to digest all the talking points and interviews from the Warrington / St.Helens Cup Final. No mention of The 1895 match other than a passing token that it would follow The Challenge Cup Final analysis.

When it did kick off it looked like the BBC were filming an amateur match without a single replay of any try or action. Half Time was 25 mins of complete SILENCE.

If it was to be played prior to the Challenge Cup Final then there could be some merit to retain it at Wembley. If not bin it or move it elsewhere.

I would not be surprised if some clubs refuse to enter it next year, especially the likes of Leeds and Hull KR IF they were to be relegated. Halifax have already hit out against it.

Luckily the score is close, but It is not selling or enhancing the sport of RL one bit in it's current guise. I would say it is taking the game backwards a level.

Originally only on the "our league" app.. The red button being a bonus. The point was made months ago concerning the fact the 1895 cup would be played after the main event.

Too late in the day to start criticising now.

Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise to lose in the semis. After all, our propensity to lose big matches recently leads me to believe we would have probably not been able to match Sheff’s display in the 2nd half. The Widnes website is already in meltdown!!

Only my observation given the proof is now in the pudding so to speak.

Harold, we have dodged a bullet and saved the embarrassment of the whole farce of the comp.

Who won? Anyone know if Derek got his dream of presenting the trophy on live TV? Did he get to compare notes with prince Harry?

Certainly not a farce for AB Sundecks.

The Plate final in 1997 was before the Challenge Cup final, and if you look at the footage on Youtube the stadium is at least 'half full' at the end of the 1st half, and I doubt it was just Hunslet & Hull KR fans ! RFL, either stage it before the main event, or scrap it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qc18qxRWzo

The Plate final in 1997 was before the Challenge Cup final, and if you look at the footage on Youtube the stadium is at least 'half full' at the end of the 1st half, and I doubt it was just Hunslet & Hull KR fans ! RFL, either stage it before the main event, or scrap it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qc18qxRWzo

Maybe or maybe not,but someone enquired and said, I want decking,and got a smack right on his conk.

Sheffield won, 36-18 - after coming from behind in the second half. Trophy presented by a true legend - Johnny Whiteley.

Well that made me chuckle anyway

Quote ="Budgiezilla"The Plate final in 1997 was before the Challenge Cup final, and if you look at the footage on Youtube the stadium is at least 'half full' at the end of the 1st half, and I doubt it was just Hunslet & Hull KR fans ! RFL, either stage it before the main event, or scrap it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qc18qxRWzo'" I totally concur Sir.

Quote ="Budgiezilla"The Plate final in 1997 was before the Challenge Cup final, and if you look at the footage on Youtube the stadium is at least 'half full' at the end of the 1st half, and I doubt it was just Hunslet & Hull KR fans ! RFL, either stage it before the main event, or scrap it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qc18qxRWzo'" I totally concur Sir.

Can you imagine being daft enough to sponsor that disaster?

Pathetic insult

Quite right. Tell Betfred, Ladbrokes etc the same! The sport doesn’t need any sponsors. Bucket collections and gate receipts is all we need to sustain the sport in the UK.

Good for you..

Not really, there were many sponsors of that competition, my comment was more a criticism of the RFL, what was the point of the competition (apart from winning) the final and the media portrayal was an embarrassment.

Many sponsors of what event ?

Your post was aimed at the person ' daft ' enough to sponsor the competition , nobody has suggested the 1895 Cup is the finished article , it was a ' knee jerk ' attempt to increase falling Challenge Cup attendances , we will see if it remains in its current time slot or they look at how they schedule next year's event

Anybody who puts their hard earned into RL gets my utmost respect and doesn't deserve insults on here

Seriously you should try it.

Try what Harold? Laughing at the demise of the sport!