Magic Weekend

[WireMan]

Last year in Edinburgh. Lots of noises about people being unhappy with it.

What do you all think?

Personally: Not much point as there are no plans to expand into Scotland. The extra game also makes it a non level playing field.

Crowds are expected to be low. Some teams have reported to have sold no tickets for it!

However what to do?

The talk is of starting the season with more of a bang. This year the league started with one game Leeds vs Crusaders which hardly got the juices flowing.

The talk is either a magic weekend at Wembley to start the season, get everyones attention or two mini magics, The Yorkshire teams start at Elland Road (Leeds) and the Lancashire ones starting at the Reebok (Bolton), Anfield (Liverpool) or the City of Manc Stadium. Also bringing back the Derby concept.

The matches are:

Saturday May 1

Bradford Bulls v Crusaders RL
Hull FC v Harlequins RL
Salford City Reds v Warrington Wolves
Leeds Rhinos v Wakefield Trinity Wildcats

Sunday May 2

Castleford Tigers v Catalans Dragons
Wigan Warriors v Huddersfield Giants
St Helens v Hull Kingston Rovers

Bolded teams are my picks.

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

I think it should go back to Wales, get more attendtion over there.

 

[biggestbroncosfan]

Last year in Edinburgh. Lots of noises about people being unhappy with it.

What do you all think?

Personally: Not much point as there are no plans to expand into Scotland. The extra game also makes it a non level playing field.

Crowds are expected to be low. Some teams have reported to have sold no tickets for it!

However what to do?

The talk is of starting the season with more of a bang. This year the league started with one game Leeds vs Crusaders which hardly got the juices flowing.

The talk is either a magic weekend at Wembley to start the season, get everyones attention or two mini magics, The Yorkshire teams start at Elland Road (Leeds) and the Lancashire ones starting at the Reebok (Bolton), Anfield (Liverpool) or the City of Manc Stadium. Also bringing back the Derby concept.

The matches are:

Saturday May 1

Bradford Bulls v Crusaders RL
Hull FC v Harlequins RL
Salford City Reds v Warrington Wolves
Leeds Rhinos v Wakefield Trinity Wildcats

Sunday May 2

Castleford Tigers v Catalans Dragons
Wigan Warriors v Huddersfield Giants
St Helens v Hull Kingston Rovers

Bolded teams are my picks.

when will a scottish or irish team be added to the championship 1?

 

[Evil Homer]

when will a scottish or irish team be added to the championship 1?

When some benefactor from one of those countries decides they want a team, I guess. None of the clubs would be anywhere near strong enough without one.

 

[Evil Homer]

Game 1: Bradford 0-19 Crusaders FT

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

Wow, go Celts

 

[Evil Homer]

Game 2: Hull 8-25 Harlequins FT

 

[Evil Homer]

Game 3: Salford 16-68 Warrington

 

[Evil Homer]

Leeds snatch it at the death, 34-30 over Wakefield. Good game.

 

[wittyfan]

Bradford had no chance against the might of Witty!!!

 

[Evil Homer]

Today's results:

Castleford 34-18 Catalans
Wigan 28-10 Huddersfield
St Helens 54-0 Hull KR

Weekend attendance: 52k over the two days.

 

[dogz08]

the 2nd half of the bradford crusaders match was the worst game i've ever seen

 

[Evil Homer]

Can't have seen too many games then, it wasn't even the worst game of the weekend. I actually quite enjoyed the game, although I guess it was a bit slow in the second half with Bradford looking even more clueless once Orford went off.

 

[1 Eyed TEZZA]

I really like the way the Crusaders defend. They come off the line quickly and slide well. Very good platform.

 

[RedVee]

Today's results:

Castleford 34-18 Catalans
Wigan 28-10 Huddersfield
St Helens 54-0 Hull KR

Weekend attendance: 52k over the two days.

Would that be rated as a success?

 

[Johnny_L_O]

Nah, it was pushing 70k a couple of years back at Cardiff. Even then it had many critics. I'd be shocked if it continued after the contract run out, whenever that is.

 

[dogz08]

Can't have seen too many games then, it wasn't even the worst game of the weekend. I actually quite enjoyed the game, although I guess it was a bit slow in the second half with Bradford looking even more clueless once Orford went off.

That was the only game i got to watch

 

[biggestbroncosfan]

Would that be rated as a success?

no, next year it might be played at cardiff or newcastle though murrayfield is still an option

 

[Evil Homer]

It wasn't a failure though either. They interviewed Nigel Wood (RFL chairman) after the last game and he seemed to be pretty happy with it. The thing is attendances are not that improtant for this event, the RFL aren't losing anything, the only reason they do this is because the Edinburgh (and previously Cardiff) tourist boards pay a large amount to host the event. It's alright saying 'move it back to Cardiff', but they were outbid by Edinburgh and that's why it moved in the first place. If they are not willing to pay then I'd be happy to see it remain in Edinburgh, or in whichever city is willing the bid the most.

 

[winnyason]

st james park sell out