I think it’s about finding the balance. Wigan have gone all out since pre season and it seems to have caught them up. (Wire did the same last year and fell at the last hurdle)

Mac and Smith have managed their resources to hit form at the right time (in different ways) but both successfully

Do we need pre season games. Who knows

Not quite, we just about won it in a tight finish, but no doubt Fev away would provide a similarly tough test.

Leeds at least had their Xmas game(s). I was only suggesting playing a reserve/youth side as a welcome gesture to the new clubs, it could be beneficial to both sides.

Have a look at the team Leeds field at Xmas. Compare it to this Saturdays team.

I like the idea of xmas game, it just a shame things are going badly with quins to tag on to there boxing twickenham fixture would be great exposure! But I guess we've missed that boat!

Capital Challenge against Skolars announced for Friday 11th January - HAC - 2pm

3 months today, can't wait!

Ticket booked and paid for - kids at school so they'll have to miss out this time! Thanks for the heads up.

PS Tickets here, £15 + 60p P&P... www.skolarsrl.com/club-shop/matc ... uary-2013/

PS Tickets here, £15 + 60p P&P... www.skolarsrl.com/club-shop/matc ... uary-2013/

Talk on a.n.other forum of a game in Perpignan in January as well.

TR likes France pre season

...have to say, I didn't see that coming



Does anyone believe this game favours us as a club and the sport as a whole? 521 rolled up last year......most of which will not go to another RL game until jan 11th 2013

We've never gained a sponsor from it....sold a corporate package to anyof these suits......it's a complete wate of time that only benefits the skolars IMO.....

Why can't DH waste some of his reported 1.5 million a year investment taking the team on a 3 week tour up north for games v the likes of Salford, Wakefield and HKA? Surely that will give TR a better idea of who to play where and how, rather than racking up 40+ points against a team 2 divisions lower than us?

where the coach can set how our team gels, works on attacking formations, set plays, defence, players responses etc. etc.

...against a team 2 tiers below us?
I'd rather test these "formations" against decent teams.....and I mean no disrespect to the skolars, but surely this pre-season game followed up with a trip to France has been tried and shown to fail enough times already

Skolars put up a pretty good fight in the first half in this years match. But you wouldn't know that would you? All Super League teams will have pre season games against lower league sides.

It's a decent afternoon, the club will lose nothing from it and one day, you never know, might gain. Worth pursuing and I will certainly be attending.

Only you could moan about an annual game between the two top sides in London.

I have no problem with the Skolars annual fixture and take the view that is good for London RL in general rather than just for our benefit. We have few enough traditions, why sink this one. I didn`t hear any of the complaints the couple of times we played the NRL champs as a warm up for their WCCC and let`s be fair they could have also taken the `what`s the point` view.

Is it the best preparation?......probably not. Do I care?.........No

It`s also a good excuse to meet up with mates after the off-season and sink a few pints.

We are always complaining that we do not have enough money, and now a suggestion that the only event where some city types turn up should be scrapped! The Skolars have made a lot of city contacts from this event as well as getting it sponsored, my only complaint is that Broncos don't used it to tap into a corporate gold mine. We are a London club why not attempt to get the City money men involved?

I don't see how this game is a bad thing either, I hope to be there, not made it as of yet.

I've not missed one yet and I'm looking forward to it.

:ugfiv0zp

1. I said that currently, London Broncos currenly get little if anything from this fixture.....
2. I am all for continuing it, [u:ugfiv0zpIF[/u
Ah....so because I "wasn't there" I have no right to comment on the pro's and Con's of this fixture? IIRC, the 14 points they scored this year is their highest tally in this fixture.........great preparation for the onslaught of SL attacks



As for the Skolars putting up a bit of resistance in the first half before losing it the second.......it would seem that towell built the entire seasons strategy around this style of play

You have no idea what went on during the game yet somehow you are able to determine whether or not it is worthwhile for the players. Ridiculous. Off the field, fine, comment all you like, but realistically you didn't see anything of that match last year that was actually a pretty good run out for our side.

GF, you should admit defeat on this one.

This is getting worrying Listy.
I agree with your sentiments entirely, once again !!!
For me, this fixture has become an annual pilgrimage & is not so much about the actual game but meeting the fans attending the event & planning the upcoming seasons away matches.
The pre-match beverages, a break from drinking to watch the game & then into the "Artilliary Arms" after the final whistle to celebrate what a great season we are going to have & sample some excellent ales. (Normally end up having too many !)
As for not attracting new fans, I took three Rugby Union friends to this fixture last year & they had a great day, came to a few games at the Stoop last season & can't wait for January 11th, so not a complete waste of time !!

Ok

cant believe anyone would want to knock a preseason warm up between Broncos & Skolars. What's the harm in it? As for the Broncos not gaining any sponsors out of it, it's not actually the Broncos game - it's the Skolars who organise the thing.
It's a fantastic opportunity for all in the RL community in London to get together and I'm really looking forward to it. The Broncos are not the be all and end all in the south, it's fantastic that there are now 3 semi pro clubs in the region and if all goes well the Skolars will get promotion next year - something the Broncos would gain from with sending lads out on dual registration.
Day off work, meet some great people, talk RL and then watch a game in a fantastic setting. I've booked in for the lunch beforehand and will be making the most of the day.