Challenge Cup 2018

[Coastbloke]

I thought I saw something yesterday on the RLEF FB page, but it might have just been teams..

 

[adamkungl]

I might go to the Challenge Cup Final next year. Planning to be in Europe in August.. why not

 

[Pommy]

Any idea why Toulouse are not entering this year?

 

[Evil Homer]

Draw is on Tuesday. First round entrants:

1. Askham
2. Batley Boys
3. Beverley
4. Bradford Dudley Hill
5. British Army
6. British Police
7. Crosfields
8. Distington
9. Drighlington
10. East Leeds
11. Featherstone Lions
12. Hammersmith Hills Hoists
13. Hensingham
14. Hindley
15. Huddersfield Underbank
16. Hull University
17. Hunslet Club Parkside
18. Hunslet Warriors
19. Kells
20. Leigh Miners
21. Lock Lane
22. London Chargers
23. Longhorns RL (Ireland)
24. Loughborough
25. Milford Marlins
26. Millom
27. Myton Warriors
28. Normanton Knights
29. Northampton Demons
30. Orrell St James
31. Oulton Raiders
32. Pilkington Recs
33. Queens
34. Royal Air Force
35. Rochdale Mayfield
36. Royal Navy
37. Saddleworth Rangers
38. Shaw Cross
39. Siddal
40. Skirlaugh
41. Strathmore Silverbacks (Scotland)
42. Valley Cougars (Wales)
43. Thatto Heath Crusaders
44. Thornhill Trojans
45. Wallsend Eagles
46. Wath Brow
47. West Hull
48. York Acorn

 

[jim_57]

Any idea why Toulouse are not entering this year?

They pretty much tanked it last year to focus on the Championship. The RFL treat them and Catalan as "Guests" with no voting rights etc if I read correctly, so I see no real issue with them declining the Challenge Cup spot, especially if they draw home or away they have to foot the bill either way at short notice.

 

[Pommy]

They pretty much tanked it last year to focus on the Championship. The RFL treat them and Catalan as "Guests" with no voting rights etc if I read correctly, so I see no real issue with them declining the Challenge Cup spot, especially if they draw home or away they have to foot the bill either way at short notice.

Not sure I’m a fan of them being allowed to do that. Is it mandatory for English teams to enter? It’s an advantage to play less games really.
I’m totally for Toulouse, Toronto etc but they should be all in.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Not sure I’m a fan of them being allowed to do that. Is it mandatory for English teams to enter? It’s an advantage to play less games really.
I’m totally for Toulouse, Toronto etc but they should be all in.

I agree with what you are saying but do you think they should get full voting rights as well? It is a technicality because they are not RFL clubs. Having said that, it should possibly be a contractual thing - if you want to play in the RFL system, then you sign up to all comps.

It might also be a financial reason - I've heard that most Championship clubs lose money playing in the Challenge Cup. Maybe the RFL could look at this issue also.

 

[Pommy]

I agree with what you are saying but do you think they should get full voting rights as well? It is a technicality because they are not RFL clubs. Having said that, it should possibly be a contractual thing - if you want to play in the RFL system, then you sign up to all comps.

It might also be a financial reason - I've heard that most Championship clubs lose money playing in the Challenge Cup. Maybe the RFL could look at this issue also.

My understanding is Toronto get no voting rights but they also get to negotiate their tv deal so it’s not a one sided deal.
If the same is true with the French clubs then again I don’t see no vote as a huge deal.

 

[jim_57]

My understanding is Toronto get no voting rights but they also get to negotiate their tv deal so it’s not a one sided deal.
If the same is true with the French clubs then again I don’t see no vote as a huge deal.

Looking at it from Toulouse's point of view, they presumably have to cover travel costs either way at short notice, for a comp they are absolutely 0 chance of winning. Unless the RFL is going to cover the costs I think Toulouse have every right to sit it out if they prefer.

 

[Pommy]

Looking at it from Toulouse's point of view, they presumably have to cover travel costs either way at short notice, for a comp they are absolutely 0 chance of winning. Unless the RFL is going to cover the costs I think Toulouse have every right to sit it out if they prefer.

Well I’m not arguing about them having every right. I’m simply saying that right should be removed in my opinion.

 

[jim_57]

Well I’m not argument about them having every right. I’m simply saying that right should be removed in my opinion.

Would just result in them fielding juniors/reserves and getting themselves knocked out right or wrong. I think under the circumstances they should have the right to choose, although they may be missing out with the potential to draw a home game V Leeds or Wigan which could be a big ocassion for the club.

 

[langpark]

Leigh Miners Rangers vs Myton Warriors
Underbank Rangers vs Batley Boys
Kells vs British Police
Wallsend Eagles vs Pilkington Recs
Rochdale Mayfield vs Crosfields
Lock Lane vs Hindley
Hunslet Club Parkside vs Valley Cougars
London Chargers vs Hammersmith Hills Hoists
Royal Air Force vs Drighlington
Oulton Raiders vs Siddal
Millom vs Strathmore Silverbacks
Loughborough vs Bradford Dudley Hill
University of Hull vs Hensingham
Orrell St James vs Northampton Demons
Royal Navy vs Normanton Knights
York Acorn vs Askam
Saddleworth Rangers vs Thatto Heath Crusaders
Shaw Cross Sharks vs Beverley
West Hull vs Longhorns RL
East Leeds vs Thornhill Trojans
Hunslet Warriors vs Wath Brow Hornets
Featherstone Lions vs Skrilaugh
British Army vs Milford Marlins
Distington vs Queens

I tried putting the non-English teams in bold but not sure if I missed any....?

 

[Pommy]

Would just result in them fielding juniors/reserves and getting themselves knocked out right or wrong. I think under the circumstances they should have the right to choose, although they may be missing out with the potential to draw a home game V Leeds or Wigan which could be a big ocassion for the club.

Well if they wish to waste money putting out a juniors team that’s on them, like I say it’s iust an opinion but I think it’s wrong they get to choose.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

My understanding is Toronto get no voting rights but they also get to negotiate their tv deal so it’s not a one sided deal.
If the same is true with the French clubs then again I don’t see no vote as a huge deal.

Thanks for the info - although that means that if there is ever a big TV deal struck in North America, the RFL don't see a cent, I'm not sure what is in it for them then. I though that was the point of allowing Toronto in - to see the NA TV money down the line.

 

[Stallion]

Thanks for the info - although that means that if there is ever a big TV deal struck in North America, the RFL don't see a cent, I'm not sure what is in it for them then. I though that was the point of allowing Toronto in - to see the NA TV money down the line.

Maybe its too see the code grow and benefits derive from that!?

 

[Pommy]

Thanks for the info - although that means that if there is ever a big TV deal struck in North America, the RFL don't see a cent, I'm not sure what is in it for them then. I though that was the point of allowing Toronto in - to see the NA TV money down the line.

That’s a good point. I thought they had free reign on their deal until they hit SL, then the clubs start having to pay their fares back and forth.
I’m not sure now though. Either way I still think every team in the system should play challenge cup.

 

[Krzzystuff]

My understanding is Toronto get no voting rights but they also get to negotiate their tv deal so it’s not a one sided deal.
If the same is true with the French clubs then again I don’t see no vote as a huge deal.

We also don't get any home games for 3 years I believe in the CC, whoever we draw against gets the game at home. Would love to see a game played in Canada against a FT team

 

[Evil Homer]

 

[deluded pom?]

If you Aussies aren’t aware the BBC live stream a game from each round. Today it was Featherstone Lions 18 v Thatto Heath 6 in a thoroughly absorbing match made even better by the outsiders winning. The match would have kicked off at about midnight in Sydney and I’d definitely recommend watching these matches to any night owls out there. The League 1 teams enter in the next round.

 

[adamkungl]

If you Aussies aren’t aware the BBC live stream a game from each round. Today it was Featherstone Lions 18 v Thatto Heath 6 in a thoroughly absorbing match made even better by the outsiders winning. The match would have kicked off at about midnight in Sydney and I’d definitely recommend watching these matches to any night owls out there. The League 1 teams enter in the next round.

We need to put together a viewing guide for lesser known broadcasts.. Along with the Challenge Cup, the French are also broadcasting 1 game a week, it might be possible to get Wolfpack games through legitimate and other means (which we can't post on here obviously) and for the real diehards there are even other comps streaming here and there, I'm pretty sure the Greek do a game a week too.