Now I caveat this by saying I would say this as a Skolars supporter. I think Skolars stand a good chance of surprising a rusty Quins side on the 22nd Jan.

The Skolars squad looks as good as they have had. Some good local recruits and overseas experience and talent. The most exciting thing is James massara the new coach. He seems a real talent and has had the lads training hard. Add In Joe Mbus influence I think there could be an upset.

Thoughts?

Nil nil matched postponed, Quins to go bust before replay date.
Points awarded to Skolars who hold the cup for eternity

I have obviously not been on the narcotics You have

Tickets not selling well Skolar?

To even the game up we should give you 4 points each time you cross the half way line with the ball in hand

Equally only let Jonny Wells do the scoring-You will remember he put the ball down 2 metres short last year.

Your best hope of winning is that BMcD still hasn't figured out what went wrong last season...

Skolars lost to a [igood[/i amateur team in the CC last year- They are nothing more than that.

Quins reserves would spank them-Lets not try and build this up into a competitive match-it is a semi contact pre season run out-an opportunity to go through some sets, try a few combinations, look at the defensive structures-more importantly showcase RL in the city of London-Its a pity it isnt more competitive

They've done the right thing in moving it to a Fri-at least now it will be a booze up and afford the city boys the opportunity to finish up in Spearmint Rhinos!

Hoping for 3 figures for Quins and 0 points for Skolars.

you cant go by last year. thats was a complete screw up. also dont forget that amatuer side has a massive cup tradition getting to the last 16 a few years ago and you beat them not so well if i remember right?

up until then the Skolars have been very competitive and given the recruitment thats gone on i can see a big change. i hope the quins boys take your attitude it will only play into the skolars hands.

Keep dreaming pal.

you are the last person i would call Pal

That cuts deep

For Skolars to believe they can win is one thing, them actually winning the game is another. Yes, Skolars will have a better team this year (lets be honest, they couldn't be any worse!), but realistically they remain a below average Championship One side. I dearly hope that will one day change, but they have taken so many steps backwards since Latham left it's embarassing.

One thing is for certain and that is that the result of this match is a complete irrelevance. Its a pre season training match designed to earn a few quid.

Who cares what the result is because its not about that

edited .......and worse than a number of amateur clubs

Im not having a go its just fact.

How do you figure that one out. it makes no sense except for last season. even then you could argue that Workington were just as bad. previous years we have finished 8 or 7 out 12. that cant be the worst then right?

What a foolish basis for an argument WQ, using last seasons form as an indicator

I believe the Skolars will be a vastly improved outfit this season. A new coach and new players should make a hell of a difference.

Will they beat Quins? I doubt it.

Not every club on a downward slide has kept the same coach and squad as last year!


I belive you're right as, I suspect, will most others who saw James Massara's South London teams last year. That's the best Souths team I've seen since Rob Powell's side won the RLC National Final in 2006, and Rob had some better individuals at his disposal then. Souths last year were extremely well organised and seemed able to shrug off the absence of key players and intgrate replacements without any inconvenience. I'm sure the bloke responsible for leading that side will be able to bring a lot to the table in his new role even if it's two levels higher. Skolars should be a totally different proposition this year.


The result largely depends on how seriously Quins want to take it. There were a couple of very close results in these matches at New River Stadium when I believe (I wasn't there myself) we effectively fielded a reserve side, but in Challenge Cup ties in recent years we've hammered leading NL2 sides such as Barrow and Oldham. If the bulk of our first team squad plays most of this match a double figure try tally ought to be a likelihood, as is always the case when SL plays NL2. (And I know it's not "NL2" anymore, but I refuse to use the ridiculous and nonsensical new names for the two divisions below us.)

I fully expect Crusaders to finish in the top 3 then.

The difference between a SL team and a Champ 1 team is 70 points- Dont quote past CC cup debacles where SL coaches have rested players and been run close.

This is not football where you can defend a small goal by plaing 10 defenders. Defending a 60 m line is a different proposition particularly when the opposition are fitter, faster, tougher, better trained...........

Quins could and would beat them with 11 players and no subs-and thats not a joke.

The only question worth asking is will Quins use all 27 players just to get them on the field and play some semi contact stuff!!! The score no matter what will be a cricket score.

ill take 70 points. £100?

No you won't. You'll take 50. £5 to a charity of my choice or £5 into my wallet. Deal?

I think it is a fair point to say that Skolars are a weaker team than several Amateur sides from the Heartlands. I'm not saying that because I'm trying to be scathing about the club - it's important that Skolars succeed - I think its just a statement of fact.

Reality isn't something that Elite Skolar is familiar with.