Rugby League

[Darlo_Pete]

Massive game tonight at the bottom of the table as Castleford are at home to bottom of the table Wakefield. It will be massive for whoever wins.

[robsraiders]

A four point gap even at this stage of the season would be good to have, seems Tigers improved last week, unlucky to not hold on v Dragons

[EDJOHNS]

Massive game tonight at the bottom of the table as Castleford are at home to bottom of the table Wakefield. It will be massive for whoever wins.

Going for Cas by at least 20 points. I feel really sorry for Will Dagger having walked into that place as it is at the moment but he is a big lad.
I will be watching with interest to see how he and Luis do going face-to-face.
Not just a big game tonight. Tomorrow we have the only true Derby. The city has been buzzing all week. Not often in the recent past KR have been such overwhelming favourites to win the game, especially on their turf.
Should just about be able to get back to our place to watch Wigwam and Saints on Craven street rather than put more money into Pearson's coffers. Never heard of a rugby club opening up their facilities in this way before when playing away. (The game is just about sold out and we are having both of the games on big screen and all the usual stuff going on in Craven street Hope we make a profit from it !!!
Going for Cas, Saints, Leigh, Cats, and Udders to win over the weekend.

[EDJOHNS]

Well, a happy Robin after yesterday. The city is certainly Red and White.
I thought we played well and we got so many offloads away it was criminal from FC, but you can only beat what is in front of you.
Craven Street was certainly buzzing, and still going strong after I left.
Saints up next and we actually go into the game not fearing a drubbing. Hard to remember the last time I said that V them.
Have watched all 3 games so far. Enjoyed the first 2, but I much prefer the coverage on channel 4. The superlatives used by the mob during the Wigan v Saints game was so far over the top it was sickening.
Wigan deserved the win, but while a decent watch, it was not the best game of rugby league ever played anywhere on earth !!!!
Looking forward to today's offerings.

[EDJOHNS]

Well, a quiet Easter and I watched all 7 games.
90,000 attended the 6 SL matches, which is good but slightly distorted when you think that just short of 50,000 went to 2 of them.
Watched some good games but boy do the ruddy coms on Sky annoy me. We get the drift. You enjoyed the Wigan win !!!!
2 more BIG games this next round with Wigan at Warry and KR hosting Saints. Going for 2 home wins !!!
Cas sign yet another KR player. Will Tate has never let us down when called but is 4th choice now so not going to get game time. Sad to see lads who have come through our academy leaving, but the kid is 21 years old and wants to be playing so we can't blame him for asking to leave. It has been a while since we had so many players wanted by other clubs when they can't hit our first 17 !!!! Think it shows how far we have come since we got promoted again in 2017.
Own our own ground. Crowds are up 50% in 3 years, a decent side to watch. Not sure any fan has the right to ask for more.

[Darlo_Pete]

Not sure how you can't have been impresses by the Wigan performance in beating the World Champions St. Helens? As Jenna Brooks said she has never heard such an atmosphere and we won without a couple of first teamers. Warrington are obviously the form team at the moment, it'll be interesting to see if they can maintain there 100% winning record.

[EDJOHNS]

Not sure how you can't have been impresses by the Wigan performance in beating the World Champions St. Helens? As Jenna Brooks said she has never heard such an atmosphere and we won without a couple of first teamers. Warrington are obviously the form team at the moment, it'll be interesting to see if they can maintain there 100% winning record.

Pete, I did not say I was not impressed. I enjoyed the game, but it was played on FRIDAY and bloody Barrie McDermott was still banging on about it every 30 seconds yesterday!!!! Good yes, but not that ruddy good to be still drooling about it 48 hours later. A mention, fine, 2, 3 OK, but did you listen to him? Literally every time there was a break in play or a chance to show a comparison, and yesterday's game was a decent one itself if a slightly lower standard but you would have thought they were Sunday league players and nothing happening in the game.
If you have not watched them, the next time a game is on Channel 4 try to tune in. They offer a far superior production from camera work, presenters, commentators, the lot.
Early season I know but I am going Saints, Wigwam, Cats, and KR as my top 4 at the end of the year. I know you won't agree, but once the grounds dry out teams are going to have problems living with us. I want to put Warry in place of Cats, but they always blow up so we have to expect it. It will be interesting to see what happens once they do lose a game.

[EDJOHNS]

Saints will say they had 4 players missing tonight.

SO DID WE !!!!!

3rd in the league and well worth it.

Behind coming to the half we went over to go in level at 8-8
Second half we won the game in the first 20 then hung on as they threw the kitchen at us.
Rather funny seeing Wigan above us when we beat them so comprehensively a few weeks ago.

My yearly visit to the Jungle next up. Looking forward to it as always

[EDJOHNS]

Well, we made hard work of that !!! But hey, if a good side can't win well they "find a way", and we did just that.
Have to say, we have played a few sides far worse than Cas. Think they will be OK.
Talk of my favourite away ground, I had the chance to see the changing rooms and other area's under the stand not normally accessible, and I have to say I was shocked. I am well aware Cas have wanted to sort a new ground for a number of years, but struth, what a mess !!! Flooring gone? Just stick a piece of plywood down !!! and I doubt it has seen a tin of paint since before the Boar war. What a shame.

[Darlo_Pete]

Despite all our injuries to key players, we find ourselves back at the top of the table, although we didn't beat Wakefield by as big a margin as I was expecting. Looking forward to Magic Weekend in early June.

[Darlo_Pete]

Great win for England against a very weak French side, it doesn't really provide any pointers towards the next World Cup. When we have any international break, it should be against strong opposition.

[don'tbuythesun]

Will you two be meeting up for a beer?

[comeondarlo]

Will you two be meeting up for a beer?

Lol!

[EDJOHNS]

Rampant Robins run (r)Udders ragged.

[EDJOHNS]

Bad news on the injury front. (No shock there then)>
Jordan Abdull was injured in training and will miss about 6 weeks, and sadly, yet again, Lachlan Coote left the field and failed an HIA.
He has been talking about packing it in at the end of the season. and while I love him as a player I do hope he does stop. The brain can only take so many knocks.
Pete, no comment on Friday?
Funny how you always go quiet when Wigwam get beaten !!!! More so as it was 1 of the best games I have watched this season.
I will be in my usual place at Magic. Both days.

[Darlo_Pete]

Unfortunately I'll be going into SJP at the end of the HKR game, as we will be playing straight afterwards.

[EDJOHNS]

Unfortunately I'll be going into SJP at the end of the HKR game, as we will be playing straight afterwards.

We are in the Gallowgate as usual. Which stand are you in Pete?
Curious, why do you never watch all the games if you are really a rugby fan? You pay for them after all.
That is not having a go, I am being serious. 1 of the great things about the whole weekend is meeting up with fans of other clubs. Some you only ever see the once, but some you come across over and over. The friends I have who are Cas fans I originally met in Manchester at Magic weekend and we have a good laugh and catch up every time we play each other.
Mind you, it makes such a change for KR not to be playing Dull and having to wait until the last game !!!!

[EDJOHNS]

So, Coote who is out for 6 weeks with a calf injury has now confirmed he is retiring at the end of the season. Nice to see that even Wigan and Wire fans have been passing nice comments on KR's post about it.
Injuries piling up again !!! Rowan Milnes broke his hand last Friday and now misses 6 weeks. It was his first game covering for Abdull who is also missing for 6
Shocked at our retained list, or some missing. Can't believe we have not offered SKD a new 1-year deal at least. I just heard that Ethan Ryan has signed for Salford for next year. King is going to Dull, as is Halton. Both of them played well last season and should be kept as backup at the very least. Keinhorst has signed for Feath. I think Senior will also be away though he is on contract.
Makes me wonder at the calibre of player we must be bringing in if we are letting these guys go, and I still think squad announcements for next year so early in the season is wrong. Ethan Ryan has to come in this week to cover Milnes. Where is his head going to be knowing he is out of the door already?

[Darlo_Pete]

Terrible second half for us, as we are thumped by 12 man Leeds. At least we have a perfect next fixture to get revenge, as Wigan play at Leeds in the Challenge Cup.

[Darlo_Pete]

Terrible news, that the World Cup in France in 2025, has been cancelled by France, who were due to host the competition. Not sure where international Rugby League goes from here?

[EDJOHNS]

Terrible news, that the World Cup in France in 2025, has been cancelled by France, who were due to host the competition. Not sure where international Rugby League goes from here?

Very sad for the game in the Northern hemisphere that the second-rated country feels they can't afford to hold a world cup. I know the French are very much Union aligned, but with the success Cats have had and the growth of Toulouse I would have thought they would have enough interest around the country to make it worth the effort.
I have heard a whisper that it may go to North America as was mentioned before France got it. I personally would like to see Scotland and Wales put in a joint bid.
Sadly the probability is it will go somewhere South of the equator so they rake in the money and lengthen the distance the North is behind them in the game

[Darlo_Pete]

It's good to hear that the SL teams are pushing back against abandoning the Magic Weekend concept and it may survive into next season's fixtures.

[EDJOHNS]

It's good to hear that the SL teams are pushing back against abandoning the Magic Weekend concept and it may survive into next season's fixtures.

To lose Magic would be the worst thing the game in the UK could do.
Let's start with the simple fact we have 2 days solid of the sport on TV showing to a massive crowd.
Regular fans from all clubs take family and friends top Magic and make a holiday of it. That always gives the chance to attract new supporters.
Finally, the money that goes into the coffers of the RFL and the clubs is I would think the single biggest boost of the year. Last Friday at Warry we had just over 1000 KR fans attending, but we got nothing from it. Magic we have sold 3500 tickets for each day and we keep the vast majority of that money. While we have great offers such as half price and concessions meaning I pay £20 for the 6 games it is still a large influx to KR's coffers. All clubs have the extra boost depending on how many tickets they sell.
As an aside, as I have said before, we get to meet up with fans from all over who have over the years become friends. In my case, with Louise and Robert from Cas, I find it far more relaxed than when I see them at CP or the jungle. Yes we always have a chat, but at Magic we have the time and space to relax and enjoy each other's company which we can't really do on our concourse or outside the jungle.

[Darlo_Pete]

I was travelling back from Plymouth today and called into Headingley. By half time I wish I hadn't bothered, but well the second half was a different kettle of fish. Awesome second half and some fantastic individual performances. Bevan French is superb going forward but also in defense. The academy certainly produces some fantastic youngsters. Never heard of Junior Nsemba but what a huge bloke he is and a fantastic prospect. Funny how Leeds had a fantastic second half performance last week and Wigan were impressive in the second half today. Apparently Jai Field may be fit for the magic weekend, great for Wigan, bad news for everybody else.

[EDJOHNS]

I was travelling back from Plymouth today and called into Headingley. By half time I wish I hadn't bothered, but well the second half was a different kettle of fish. Awesome second half and some fantastic individual performances. Bevan French is superb going forward but also in defense. The academy certainly produces some fantastic youngsters. Never heard of Junior Nsemba but what a huge bloke he is and a fantastic prospect. Funny how Leeds had a fantastic second half performance last week and Wigan were impressive in the second half today. Apparently Jai Field may be fit for the magic weekend, great for Wigan, bad news for everybody else.

I make French and Field as good as any 2 in SL but we kept both very quiet a few weeks ago.
Hoping for a similar result on Thursday.
We are on TV for the next 4 weeks in a row. They are showing an interest in KR at last !!! I still think Channel 4 is a better product though.

[Darlo_Pete]

We'll see what happens on Thursday.

Some great draws for the quarter finals of the Challenge Cup

Hull KR v Salford
York V Leigh
Wigan v Warrington
Hull v St.Helens

I'd imaging the Wigan game will be on TV, but it'll be tough to pick which of the 2 games being played in Hull will be chosen for BBC coverage.

[robsraiders]

Magic weekend is next week, I will be there on Saturday only with my brother and youngest son, not expecting anything great from the Tigers, but we have beaten Leeds once this season so hope lightning will strike twice!
2nd bottom and survival is our aim now COYF.

[Darlo_Pete]

I'll be up on the Saturday as well Rob.

[Darlo_Pete]

Wow what a comeback, tremendous game and a great advert for RL. More of the same next week please at the Magic Weekend.

[EDJOHNS]

Wow what a comeback, tremendous game and a great advert for RL. More of the same next week please at the Magic Weekend.

You have to be careful not to sound bitter when you lose.
Thoroughly enjoyed the match but Oh our D !!!!!
Never have I seen, even when we were relegated, a team being offered so many overloads as Wigan were given last night.
Not 1 of your tries was close to the line fights. Every single 1 was an over-the-top to the wing and run. And that is NOT having a go at Wigan. Tom Opacic in particular kept coming inside and leaving Ryan with 2 or even 3 men to contend with.
The 1 complaint I will mention is that your second try should have been chalked off. The last pass was way forward which was sloppy because you were clean through. Had it been chalked off Peet would have been livid.
Oh to watch matches like that every week. Attendances would soon raise !!!
I don't think I would go so far as to say you deserved it simply because of Mickeys hitting the post, but well done anyway.