Challenge Cup 2025 : Tue Jun 25, 2024 4:15 pm  

Just had the email from the RFL saying that as of next year, Super League sides will be seeded into round 3, having to play away at those sides who progress from round two.

Thoughts? Beyond a slightly better payday for the lower league sides (as if Wigan/Saints/Us would go in our droves to the likes of a Barrow/Sheffield?) I don't think it's going to make much difference to a competition that's rapidly dying on its arris.

Re: Challenge Cup 2025 : Tue Jun 25, 2024 4:26 pm  

We have in the past. I’ve been to Oldham, Barrow, York, Keighley, Whitehaven, Hunslet and others and it always generates a good gate.

[Uncle Rico]

Re: Challenge Cup 2025 : Tue Jun 25, 2024 4:38 pm  

Teessidewire wrote:

We have in the past. I’ve been to Oldham, Barrow, York, Keighley, Whitehaven, Hunslet and others and it always generates a good gate.

I agree with you Teesside, I'm sure we are not alone and think that a day out somewhere different would generate a bit of interest

Re: Challenge Cup 2025 : Tue Jun 25, 2024 5:15 pm  

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-leagu ... 44je07p8po

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-leagu ... 44je07p8po

Re: Challenge Cup 2025 : Tue Jun 25, 2024 5:54 pm  

I've been all those places too, Hunslet, Rochdale, Oldham, Whitehaven etc. I just don't think it's going to be the interest grabber the RFL hope.

Re: Challenge Cup 2025 : Tue Jun 25, 2024 6:00 pm  

A step in the right direction. I really enjoy the days out to lower placed teams, who we would not normally visit. I remember playing the amateur clubs years ago, Leigh Miners nearly knocked us out one year.

Re: Challenge Cup 2025 : Tue Jun 25, 2024 10:07 pm  

I used to like the lower league matches in the challenge cup, i'm looking forward to it. Seeing us play a mix of first team and youngsters against unfamiliar teams was always fun and not a guaranteed drumming

Re: Challenge Cup 2025 : Wed Jun 26, 2024 8:05 am  

I certainly agree with Super League clubs coming into the competition a round earlier, but I would have preferred the last 32 to just be a random draw. If that happens to produce Saints v Wigan and Keighley v Hunslet, then so be it. This concept of seeding lower division sides and then Super League clubs having to play away from home just smacks of the competition being manipulated to achieve desired outcomes. I'm not sure that's great for sporting integrity. I'd be delighted for Wire to get a trip to somewhere different, such as York or Whitehaven, but I'd just prefer it to be as a result of a fair draw rather than a manipulated one.

Re: Challenge Cup 2025 : Wed Jun 26, 2024 8:22 am  

It will be a novelty for younger fans, to travel to Challenge Cup games at Championship clubs` grounds.

Since most fans think that the draw is a fix, we will be away to the Smellies in our first round game in 2025.

It`s a good move to generate interest in the Challenge Cup, and will be a welcome income source for the home sides.

Re: Challenge Cup 2025 : Wed Jun 26, 2024 3:20 pm  

The Speculator wrote:

I certainly agree with Super League clubs coming into the competition a round earlier, but I would have preferred the last 32 to just be a random draw. If that happens to produce Saints v Wigan and Keighley v Hunslet, then so be it. This concept of seeding lower division sides and then Super League clubs having to play away from home just smacks of the competition being manipulated to achieve desired outcomes. I'm not sure that's great for sporting integrity. I'd be delighted for Wire to get a trip to somewhere different, such as York or Whitehaven, but I'd just prefer it to be as a result of a fair draw rather than a manipulated one.

Yes unseeded draw. Fixtures can always be reversed.