: Fri Mar 20, 2009 12:10 am  

sally cinnamon wrote:

In that case it was always futile, unless you were Leigh, Widnes or someone who had just been relegated from Super League.

Hunslet won it and so did Dewsbury and both were kept down.

Yeah, well, you can prove anything with facts.




Bonus point for any smart ass who knows who/where/what I have plagerized that from

: Fri Mar 20, 2009 12:14 am  

homer simpson

: Fri Mar 20, 2009 7:26 am  

Wise Man wrote:

The rules have changed, them days are long gone, however it stills doesn't guarantee a franchise it is just a tick in the 'box'.

It is at the moment, but the RFL are prone to changing things!

: Fri Mar 20, 2009 8:22 am  

I enjoyed last night's game. Widnes looked a little underdone going forward and their discipline let them down at times. They'll improve over time and I'm tempted to go to the return game at Widnes as it'll be a cracker.

I thought Halifax defended very well at times and it was good to hear that they're finally able to finish that stand. Really enjoy going to Halifax and it looks like they're going to be a good contender for a franchise next time round.

[Fantastic Mr Catpiss]

: Fri Mar 20, 2009 8:37 am  

'Hitman' Norvern Soul wrote:

Yeah, well, you can prove anything with facts.




Bonus point for any smart ass who knows who/where/what I have plagerized that from

isn't the line, "you can prove anything thats even remotely true with facts, facts shmacts!"

: Fri Mar 20, 2009 11:10 am  

YED79 wrote:

im not 'dismissing' them i actually feel for those guys who are not given a fair crack of the whip because of what i perceive as an unfair franchaise system (even if it does rescue us this season)

Winners should be rewarded accordingly

god im on a roll tonight with misinterpretation

Yes, but the last few years has shown the "reward" of promotion has mostly lead to a disastrous season of SL, finishing bottom and getting relegated.

To say the Championship is futile is not only disrespectful of the competition itself and the players taking part - it's also inaccurate. Promotion to SL IS still available. It's just that now clubs are required to build towards it over 3 years rather than 1 and reach certain levels of achievement on and off the pitch.

Surely last night's game proved that whatever the motivation to win, the motivation was certainly there and the Championship can be a fantastic competition in it's own right.

: Fri Mar 20, 2009 11:43 am  

i think he whole league set up is disgraceful IMO

and maybe the reason they go straight back down [promoted clubs]
is because of the set up as it is.

Remember many moons ago this was not always the case.

From the 50's to the 80's look how many different teams were in the top flight. compare that to the 90's and noughties.

: Fri Mar 20, 2009 12:58 pm  

The game last nigth was alright for what it was. Cullen has started to shape the team in his pattern. Channel running, targetting certain areas, holding on too long in the tackle, loosing the ruck, daft penalties & being on the wrong end of the scoreline. His Whitehaven team, us, origin team, all played the same way.

With regard to promotion, you could pick the best of the two sides last night & they'd get a stuffing from any SL team (including us).

OK they have 3 seasons to get it right but the spending levels that they're operating under will mean a season of stuffings as has happened previously. There has to be a period of spending parity before any team coming up can compete. How that would work in practice - i dunno.

: Fri Mar 20, 2009 1:37 pm  

Tony Catsmith wrote:

isn't the line, "you can prove anything thats even remotely true with facts, facts shmacts!"

Dunno. I ripped my line off a gag/anicdote/wet dream from Stewart Lee's routine.

: Fri Mar 20, 2009 1:40 pm  

Steve51 wrote:

The game last nigth was alright for what it was. Cullen has started to shape the team in his pattern. Channel running, targetting certain areas, holding on too long in the tackle, loosing the ruck, daft penalties & being on the wrong end of the scoreline. His Whitehaven team, us, origin team, all played the same way.

With regard to promotion, you could pick the best of the two sides last night & they'd get a stuffing from any SL team (including us).

OK they have 3 seasons to get it right but the spending levels that they're operating under will mean a season of stuffings as has happened previously. There has to be a period of spending parity before any team coming up can compete. How that would work in practice - i dunno.

Maybe, but now new teams get 3 years to grow into SL - look at what having time has done for Hull KR (who survived without a safety net to be fair), Catalans and now Castleford.

Plus, for the Championship to grow (which everyone must want it to) it must be respected as a comp in it's own right. I think the SKY coverage is helping with that. The fans ought to respond by backing their clubs - good to see 5k+ at Widnes last week despite no away fans but shocking to see only just over 2k at Halifax last night.