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Hello,
I have created this thread to be the home of all Rugby League discussion at HxF. My aims for this are to increase Rugby League discussion and encourage others to take an interest in the sport :)
So, who supports who and what matches are you going this week end? :)
Woooo, someone else who likes Rugby League - at last! :D
I've been a supporter of Batley Bulldogs since I was old enough to attend the matches with my Dad. We go to most home and away games each weekend and really look forward to it all week. It's only been the past couple of years that I've actually understood the game (I always used to just go along for the fun of it), but I absolutely love the sport now. I'm actually constantly amazed by the amount of thinking that they have to do; the coordination, speed, strength and dedication is expected each and every week and I find it quite mind-blowing just how much practice and thought it must take.
It's only been in the past couple of years that we've really started to push ourselves up the league and playing with the more advanced teams. Despite only being at Championship level (one under Superleague), we've put up some really good fights against Wakefield, Castleford and even Huddersfield in the past couple of years. We managed to win the Northern Rail Cup in 2010 against Widnes Vikings after an extremely tense ending over at Blackpool. You could have cut the stadium with a knife, it was crazy! Sadly, we didn't win any silverware last year, but we finished near the top of the league.
Leigh and Featherstone were tough teams to beat last year, but Batley have signed loads of good players this year including Ben Black and Gareth Moore. We even had Ben Fisher up until a couple of weeks ago, but his contract stated that he'd be able to leave if a Superleague team wanted him: so he's gone now. We're playing Featherstone on Sunday so we'll be going over to Post Office Road to watch that. We'll probably go over to Leigh on Thursday night to watch that too. Both games should be good tests to predict how well we'll do in the upcoming season. Whatever happens, I'm sure it will be an eventful one! :)
http://www.batleybulldogs.co.uk/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batley_Bulldogs
:DQuote:
Originally Posted by Mathew
Exactly the same, except im a Viking ;) Go every week, such as sunday ill be driving to Hull :)Quote:
I've been a supporter of Batley Bulldogs since I was old enough to attend the matches. We go to most home and away games each weekend and really look forward to it all week.
Yeah that's just a few of the many pro's of Rugby League compared to other sports, Ive been a fan nearly all my life and I think I will be until I die if I'm honest.Quote:
It's only been the past couple of years that I've actually understood the game (I always used to just go along for the fun of it), but I absolutely love the sport now. I'm actually constantly amazed by the amount of thinking that they have to do; the coordination, speed, strength and dedication is expected each and every week and I find it quite mind-blowing just how much practice and thought it must take.
Your right, and I think the future looks promising for Batley, however it wont be easy getting a Super Leaguelicencein 3 years time (Nor will it for us) with the contenders your facing! I was at the match in question and your right it was a terrific game! I was not happy with the result of course :L Just make sure you stick with your team that's the most important thing!Quote:
It's only been in the past couple of years that we've really started to push ourselves up the league and playing with the more advanced teams. Despite only being at Championship level (one under Superleague), we've put up some really good fights against Wakefield, Castleford and even Huddersfield in the past couple of years. We managed to win the Northern Rail Cup in 2010 against Widnes Vikings after an extremely tense ending over at Blackpool. You could have cut the stadium with a knife, it was crazy! Sadly, we didn't win any silverware last year, but we finished near the top of the league.
Aha, you better hope Ben Black doesn't drop the ball whilst about to win the game for use ;) You have a couple of key names in your squad which is great, Im gutted that Premier have the Champ now because I don't have it but I'll be closely following the league.Quote:
Leigh and Featherstone were tough teams to beat last year, but Batley have signed loads of good players this year including Ben Black and Gareth Moore. We even had Ben Fisher up until a couple of weeks ago, but his contract stated that he'd be able to leave if a Superleague team wanted him: so he's gone now. We're playing Featherstone on Sunday so we'll be going over to Post Office Road to watch that. We'll probably go over to Leigh on Thursday night to watch that too. Both games should be good tests to predict how well we'll do in the upcoming season. Whatever happens, I'm sure it will be an eventful one! :)
Best of luck for the season, it should be an interesting discussion on a sunday night :D
Ooooo! We drove over to Widnes a couple of years ago to watch Vikings vs. Bulldogs during the run up to the NRC final. It was brilliant claiming victory over at Blackpool, haha! ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by ,Alpha,
The issue I have with RFL is that they award the franchising to one specific team which pretty much gives them automatic access to the Superleague, regardless of the amount of wins. Widnes, like Leigh, has a pretty impressive stadium whereas Batley would probably be unable to support the crowds that are drawn from Superleague matches. This makes it highly unlikely that teams such as Batley and Featherstone will make it into Superleague, just because the ground is unable to support it. I was really hoping for Leigh to make it into Superleague because they were simply too good for everyone last year. They thrashed pretty much every single game and it just wasn't all that fair. It was a shock to see Widnes get the promotion when Leigh had won many more games! It all depends on who they decide to award the franchise to.
I watched the highlights after the Superbowl this year, and I actually thought I could get quite into American Football. It seems similar to Rugby League in a couple of respects, so perhaps that's another one I'd enjoy.Quote:
Originally Posted by ,Alpha
The ending was sooooo tense and it felt so good when Alex Brown got the ball over the try line in the last few minutes. It must have been fate - I remember that Gareth Moore scored a drop-goal half-way through the game - it would have only been a draw if it wasn't for that! It was quite nice to make a day out of the event though. My Dad and I went over for the afternoon and had lunch in McDonalds... it was raining on the sea-front so went into a pub with a bunch of other Batley fans. It was brilliant.Quote:
Originally Posted by ,Alpha,
LOL, they were dropping the ball all over the place at a recent game against Keighley. Naturally, their fans took pride in our lack of control! Thankfully we haven't lost a game yet this year, so I really hope it stays that way. We lost the annual Boxing Day match against Dewsbury Rams which was shameful, but they seem to gelled together as a team now and they're performing a lot better.Quote:
Originally Posted by ,Alpha,
You too! I look forward to it! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by ,Alpha,
Haha yeah it's always a good day out, particularly on the nice days when you can make the most out of the games in Blackpool! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Mathew
It's a verycontroversialissue which has it's pro's and con's. What you need to remember is many clubs - including us - are deeply effected financially by the promotion system by overspending to the extend where we go too far relying on going up, then don't go up or get a less-serious knockback that lands you in a whole load of debt until you are sent into administration. Teams didn't have enough time to get teams together from the end of the season to the start of the season which made a very similar promotion/demotion pattern :( Of course the negatives are that the whole decision is influenced by Richard Lewis (Despised) and his team of monkeys who lately don't seem to know what they're doing!Quote:
The issue I have with RFL is that they award the franchising to one specific team which pretty much gives them automatic access to the Superleague, regardless of the amount of wins. Widnes, like Leigh, has a pretty impressive stadium whereas Batley would probably be unable to support the crowds that are drawn from Superleague matches. This makes it highly unlikely that teams such as Batley and Featherstone will make it into Superleague, just because the ground is unable to support it. I was really hoping for Leigh to make it into Superleague because they were simply too good for everyone last year. They thrashed pretty much every single game and it just wasn't all that fair. It was a shock to see Widnes get the promotion when Leigh had won many more games! It all depends on who they decide to award the franchise to.
Not something I've looked into personally, I can see what your saying and might watch it next time I have a late one - like now :OQuote:
I watched the highlights after the Superbowl this year, and I actually thought I could get quite into American Football. It seems similar to Rugby League in a couple of respects, so perhaps that's another one I'd enjoy.
Yeah those experiences are priceless, a family day out to the rugby, supporting the team with pride, pie at the ready and insults to the referee noted - lets face it he isalways to blame ;) I can admit our weaknesses to be fair so I don't always rely on the referee's poor match skills to back me up :DQuote:
The ending was sooooo tense and it felt so good when Alex Brown got the ball over the try line in the last few minutes. It must have been fate - I remember that Gareth Moore scored a drop-goal half-way through the game - it would have only been a draw if it wasn't for that! It was quite nice to make a day out of the event though. My Dad and I went over for the afternoon and had lunch in McDonalds... it was raining on the sea-front so went into a pub with a bunch of other Batley fans. It was brilliant.
Leigh didn't qualify, unfortunately their up rise was not soon enough so they didn't have the criteria met in time which was a shame because if they qualified they where going up without a doubt I think.
I've only ever been to Blackpool a few times but it's actually quite nice now they've redone the front. It must have cost millions but it's quite impressive to say it's in the UK! PQuote:
Originally Posted by ,Alpha,
Yeah I guess that's a point. If you rely on being promoted too heavily then it's gonna be a huge loss if you don't actually make it. On the face of it, it's a shame that the most successful clubs don't make it... but then I suppose that's the drawbacks and influence of money.Quote:
Originally Posted by ,Alpha
Hehe, I'm hoping to study in North Carolina in a couple of years on a Study Abroad scheme. I have a friend who lives a couple of hours away and he's wanting to take me to some games, LOL! :PQuote:
Originally Posted by ,Alpha,
Oh my... Batley do the best Cheesy Chips, hahaha! I used to go to the rugby just for the food but then I found out the game actually was pretty decent! Ughhhh, we never seem to get a good referee... there's a couple which just make you angry when you hear their name announced at the start of the game!Quote:
Originally Posted by ,Alpha
I wish they'd just go and leave the rest of us to battle it out... Batley might have a chance at coming top then! :P Hey, I have faith in them this year though... tomorrow's game is going to be vital to decide where we'll end up.Quote:
Originally Posted by ,Alpha,
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mathew
haha yeah I'll get tomorrows live scores up :D Im in work tonight from 12:00am get in at 5am get up at 10:30am ready to leave at 12:00pm and drive to Hull for a 3pm kick off. Our two new faces have arrived but are not named in the squad unfortunately but I am not writing ourselves off at all!
I hope today wasn't too tiring for you! That is a crazy shift, haha! :PQuote:
Originally Posted by ,Alpha,
Batley had a fantastic game today. It wasn't looking too bright in the first 10 minutes or so - Featherstone managed to score two tries quite early on and I thought it was going to be a shambles. The Bulldogs just kept on scoring though and it was 24-8 to Batley at half time. The second half was slightly worse but we still ended up winning 34-22. Obviously I'm going to be a bit biased but we really did think the referee was up to something dodgy - there were several instances where he "didn't see" the knock-on and others where he gave penalties to them for something and not us. An ex-referee in the crowd (Batley supporter) even commented that it was pretty bad.
I think both Batley and Featherstone were resting some of their better players - both of us are through to the next stage so there wasn't really anything to win or lose. We didn't play Ben Black, Danny Maun, Alex Brown, Jason Walton, etc so I'm guessing he's saving some of them for the game against Leigh on Thursday night. That said, even though he didn't play the regular players, we still performed really well indeed - it seems we have about two full teams of decent players for once.. :P It's absolutely amazing that we managed to get John Kear, haha.
Can't wait for Thursday night against Leigh now - that should be an interesting game and will really determine how far we can go this season.
How did today play out for you? :D
Glad to hear you enjoyed your day. My day however was nothing more than a nightmare. Drove 2.5hrs to Hull to get caught in a snow storm which lasted throughout the match. We where shoved in a stand which was barely acceptable to meet Amature Rugby League requirements never mind Super League. So putting that aside - it might not have been a poor day if we managed to perform.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mathew
We come out, did the same old crap we have been doing for the last god knows how long (with exception of leeds) flat lines blah blah so we got beat 36-0 in the end. Poor result, poor game and I call for Denis Betts to go :L
I'll be watching on Thursday good luck :)
Oh wow! There's nothing worse than driving in the snow, but then having it last throughout the game too! :O We didn't have any snow up here, thankfully, but it was terribly cold outside. It doesn't help that I have a cold either though; even my thermal socks, scarf, hat, gloves and four layers didn't keep me that warm! :( I remember the old days when rugby was a winter sport - it's much better now that it's slightly warmer! :PQuote:
Originally Posted by ,Alpha,
That said, Mount Pleasant is cold all year round, so it doesn't really make much difference! My hands and toes are absolutely freezing every week... I just can't walk afterwards! Hull don't have a decent ground then? Castleford's wasn't much good when we visited there a couple of years ago either... although I'm pretty sure Wakefield's is the worst! :P Batley are having a couple of rennovations this year I think (starting with an electronic scoreboard and then a new stand later)... some members of club management have been sponsored to walk to Leigh ahead of the game next week. That should make for an interesting news article.. :P
Was Denis Betts the coach whilst you guys were still in the lower division? Perhaps the stress of Superleague has gotten too much! :P
Yeah gotta get an electronic scoreboard! Waikfields ground has been done so its alright now :L I was numb getting back in the car arghh it was horrible. And I got a burger and the woman put onions on without asking so erghhhh!Quote:
Originally Posted by Mathew
Hull KRs ground is appauling. The RFL told them they have til 2013 to meet the Super League requirements else they can get into trouble (as in demoted I think).
Betts was our coach for championship and we did appaulingly then but they kept him and we're doing bad still so he needs to go - My frustration is that their line is soooo flat, so they always do flat passes and drop it. It gets to you when they don't learn week in week out.
Wigan on sunday for another hammering argh :(
lolol, the electronic scoreboards are okay providing they're done right! Today's electronic messages at Featherstone included "Happy 63th Birthday to..." - facepalm! Ha, it was cold for us too... John Kear followed us out of the car park with his personalised number plate too.. :O!!Quote:
Originally Posted by ,Alpha,
Oh is Wakefield's ground finally ready? That makes the Batley ground the oldest in Rugby League.. that's why they're updating it all, haha! :P I do like how the Superleague set a standard for stadiums though... the majority of grounds in our division are pretty poor. It's quite nice when we play at home actually, just because it's a decent, clean ground.
Yeah it's quite annoying when you notice something but you just can't sort it out! The problem with Batley at the moment is that we're doing relatively well in the first half, but then scoring less points in the second half. I don't know whether it's because they get complacent or whether they get tired, but for the past three games the opponent has scored more points than us in the second half.
Good luck for Sunday! ;)
**** you guys, let's talk about NRL.
Thoughts on this weeks games? I went to Warriors Vs Manly at Eden and was rather upset to see us lose but in saying that Warriors were rather incosistent.
Also two games went to golden point, I only saw Tigers Vs Sharks and was glad to see Benji kick the winner.
Good games all round this weekend I must say except the blow out that was Cowboys Vs Titans.
Was gonna say **** about the NRL :PQuote:
Originally Posted by Blacktux
Warriors were very inconsistent and I was surprised they weren't beaten by more. However the referee did give Manly a lot of lucky or biased calls.
Tigers & sharks were fabulous - of course it would be a Kiwi kicking the winner ;)
Game this week I'm looking forward to would have to be Warriors vs Eels - will be very interesting. Got a bet for Warriors to win 12-, wouldn't be surprised if they win 13+ but hey.
Just made my round 2 picks, had a horrible week last week especially in super rugby :P
This weeks picks: Sea Eagles (13+), Broncos (13+), Titans (1-12), Dragons (1-12), Knights (13+), Panthers (1-12), Storm (13+), Warriors (13+).
Looking forward to Roosters V Rabbitohs tonight though, might change my picks depending on how this game goes.
Haha, yeah I think Wakefields ground is done now. Sheffield have a good one but its for the footy too! I am looking forward to London at come (two matches to go before that though - Wigan then Hull F.C both hard (N) ) that will be our first win I hope. We're new so you can't expect us to be doing brilliant - still shouldn't be doing as bad as we are now.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mathew
NRL is great, super league is better ;) I like the NRL and I wish I could watch it more than I do... Need to get Premier Sports!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Blacktux
Quote:
Originally Posted by JerseyShore
Manly Sea Eagles v Leeds Rhino's did you watch that match guys? :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Blacktux
Haha no I didn't as I only really follow the Warriors closely in league. I'm more of a union fan than anything. Just checked out the score though, Manly got thrashed! good to see!Quote:
Originally Posted by ,Alpha,
[@]@Mathew[/@]
http://www.loverugbyleague.com/news_...-kick-off.html
Im getting excited myself now haha even though I waited 6 years to get out! Glad to be watching only though :L
I can't wait to go over to Leigh tomorrow evening! It looks like I'm in for a busy day tomorrow with it being both Results Day and the match. Let's hope for good news all round! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by ,Alpha,
haha yeah best of luck for both :D
I will be honest, my prediction of the match will be:
36 - 22 for a Leigh win but thats obviously just my guess... Stillgood luck :D
Thanks! :)
I'll be hopeful and predict a 22-18 win for Batley. Come on the bulldogs!! :P
John Kear had some interesting news to share on the Batley website, looks like we're in for a different set of players to Featherstone's successful beating...
The Batley chairman among some other senior figures have began their walk to Leigh this evening too, in an attempt to raise money for the new ground.Quote:
Originally Posted by http://www.batleybulldogs.co.uk/index.php/latest-news/122-jk-on-captaincy-decision-2
http://www.batleybulldogs.co.uk/inde.../walk-live-map
how r the mighty scotland getting on in the six nations x
I've just look now, and I had been watching the progress made by the chairman and it's an excellent attempt at raising money. Best of luck to them very creative :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Mathew
Leaving at about 5:30 and grabbing a KFC before the match unless the rush-hour traffic is bad. Kick off at 7:30.. can't wait!!
Excellent match there, well done on the win :)
Also, did you see the NRC 1/4 final fixtures?
Should be interesting again!Quote:
Leigh v Batley
Keighley v Featherstone
Halifax v Barrow
Sheffield v Hunslet
That game was simply surreal - it was tense right from the opening whistle to the final hooter. It was crazy. The Batley lads put up a great show yet again, but I was almost shaking with the fact that they may have lost it in the final few minutes (especially considering their track record where they've lost the second half in terms of the amount of points scored).Quote:
Originally Posted by ,Alpha,
The referee was simply terrible though - the three officials got a huge "boooo!!" at the end of the match from everyone, following the almost constant screaming and abuse throughout the game from both sides. He was incredibly insecure and lacked the ability to make a decision for himself; relying far too much on the video referee. Then again, he was rubbish for both sides... so I do suppose it evens it out somewhat.
Oh, and the somersaults were good too.
We walked in about a minute after kick-off. There was an average speed check of 50mph for about 10 miles on the M62 which made the journey pretty tough. After gobbling a KFC when we got to Leigh, and standing in line to pick up the tickets... we only just made it!
The NRC fixtures couldn't have been more awkward, could it? Leigh v. Batley - of all teams! After tonight's performance, it seems that they're both pretty equal. This could make for an interesting season.
I'm not a big fan of League, more of a Union fan but hey.
I watch the NRL from time to time.
Roosters and Eels <3
[@]@Mathew[/@] OMG best game I've ever seen no lie! Watch the BBC Super League highlights tomorrow at 10:30 :P
I saw the result - that's quite an achievement! Well done! :D Did Wigan put out a weaker side?Quote:
Originally Posted by ,Alpha,
Wigan never played P.Richards or S.Thomkins but other than that it was a fairly strong side in my opinion with Charnly, Luilarky and so on! We just played amazing to be fair and got deep for once!!! Cant wait to go back across to Hull for FC on sunday :PQuote:
Originally Posted by Mathew
Edit: @Mathew check this out: http://www.skysports.com/rugbyleague...70485,00.html#
It seems like they might be learning then; you commented on how they were playing rather flat last week so perhaps it's been (finally) picked up on! Just need to keep it up and fingers crossed it's not a fluke!Quote:
Originally Posted by ,Alpha,
[@]@Mathew[/@] Yeah was really well played. Cant wait for Hull these 3 new players have really changed things. Did you expect us to get beat? I did ;)
Ha, considering Wigan's streak and Widnes' past games I thought it would have been a very different result, yeah! :PQuote:
Originally Posted by ,Alpha,
@JerseyShore How did your picks go for this week? So far I only got 1 right (Storm v Rabbitohs), 3 right winner wrong margin, and 3 wrong. I'm not doing particularly well this season so far.
Haha I got storm & rabbits right, hopefully gonna get eels and warriors right :P picked warriors to win 12+ ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Blacktux
Good luck, what time is it on tele?Quote:
Originally Posted by JerseyShore
Yes, was on at 9PM. Warriors won 36-20, good game tbh.Quote:
Originally Posted by ,Alpha,
Ah good stuff :PQuote:
Originally Posted by JerseyShore
@Mathew
So, was there trouble at the match then?Quote:
Featherstone Rovers player Tim Spears has been banned for two matches for committing a Grade C violent punching offence during his side’s defeat to Batley Bulldogs while Batley’s Alex Bretherton will miss one match for a Grade B striking offence in the same contest.
Featherstone’s Sam Smeaton and Batley’s Paul Mennel have both avoided suspensions after they were charged with committing Grade A offences during the fixture the Bulldogs won 34-22.
Yeah there were a couple of fights, just because Featherstone don't like losing.. haha. Tim Spears is nearing the end of his time as a rugby player IMO. I met him back when I was in Primary School and he played for Dewsbury Rams... he held a one-off sports class for us. He's always flicking between Featherstone, Dewsbury and Batley... but I don't really think he's ever been that decent anyway. Hes a thug by the look of recent events too.
I never saw how the fights broke out (my eyesight is terrible, LOL) but Paul Mennel did end up with a broken nose... but then he was playing again at Leigh. Batley fans in the crowd were shouting "watch his nose!" :P
Quote:
Originally Posted by ,Alpha,