Re: West Wales Raiders (H) : Fri May 04, 2018 11:11 am  

Is Bootham Crescent a short pitch? I can't remember, but surely if we have a larger area we'll need to make more metres so matching York is highly unlikely even if we scored every set?

[Pumpetypump]

Re: West Wales Raiders (H) : Fri May 04, 2018 11:38 am  

I feel terrible for West Wales. Like Kear says in the T&A they are trying very hard to use Welsh lads and Welsh coaches. But their confidence will be getting crushed, so in my view the rest of us owe it to them to send them a lad or two just to help them bed in a bit.

At the same time, we need to make some inroads on the points difference so we can't be showing much sympathy on the pitch. I'm thinking a similar score to the cup is on the cards. We'd have to be really scratchy to get less than 70 surely. It feels rubbish to be saying that about another team to be honest.

Re: West Wales Raiders (H) : Fri May 04, 2018 11:56 am  

Pumpetypump wrote:

I feel terrible for West Wales. Like Kear says in the T&A they are trying very hard to use Welsh lads and Welsh coaches. But their confidence will be getting crushed, so in my view the rest of us owe it to them to send them a lad or two just to help them bed in a bit.

At the same time, we need to make some inroads on the points difference so we can't be showing much sympathy on the pitch. I'm thinking a similar score to the cup is on the cards. We'd have to be really scratchy to get less than 70 surely. It feels rubbish to be saying that about another team to be honest.

There needs to be a better system in place for teams like West Wales IMO.

They're obviously doing the right thing that an expansion club should be doing. All about playing the local lads etc. But they're clearly not ready to be involved at this kind of level yet and coming up against teams that are so far ahead of them doesn't help anyone. But equally, if they're put in the next tier down (which is effectively the amateur game), do they really grow enough there? It's a very difficult one with those teams who are effectively stuck at the bottom of League 1.

Re: West Wales Raiders (H) : Fri May 04, 2018 2:37 pm  

HamsterChops wrote:

There needs to be a better system in place for teams like West Wales IMO.

They're obviously doing the right thing that an expansion club should be doing. All about playing the local lads etc. But they're clearly not ready to be involved at this kind of level yet and coming up against teams that are so far ahead of them doesn't help anyone. But equally, if they're put in the next tier down (which is effectively the amateur game), do they really grow enough there? It's a very difficult one with those teams who are effectively stuck at the bottom of League 1.

Agreed

In an ideal world, the 'traditional' clubs like Hunslet, York, Keighley etc would be in the system along with the Championship clubs, and the expansion clubs would be in a development league where they could develop slowly and organically with local players.

But then what to do with the likes of Newcastle, who are clearly an expansion club but competing regularly with the other teams in the division?

As ever it comes down to money - or lack of it. We've just got rid of two expansion teams, Gloucester and Oxford, where it couldn't be made to work, albeit there was talk of a new club in Bristol from the ashes, but that's gone very quiet. Would there ever be the money to get, say, 10 development clubs in non-RL areas?

But until that happens you're going to get teams like West Wales getting flogged by heartland teams.

[Bulliac]

Re: West Wales Raiders (H) : Sat May 05, 2018 8:28 am  

Bullseye wrote:

I also thought a scored in the 80s or 90s might be likely but with Keyes out I think we'll score fewer tries and kick fewer goals.

Us by 70 I think. Is it too late to alter my prediction?

Yeah, I think that's fair. The goals side depends on how Chissy kicks I guess, he's been quite reasonable when he's been called upon before, and if we get all our tries behind the sticks....

Re: West Wales Raiders (H) : Sat May 05, 2018 9:07 am  

I'm confused. Bulls tweeted this morning that the shop is open and you can get coach travel for "next week's" trip to Newcastle.

There was me thinking the rearranged Skolars game was next week.

Re: West Wales Raiders (H) : Sat May 05, 2018 9:49 am  

Definitely Skolars Saturday the 12th and Newcastle Friday 18th

Re: West Wales Raiders (H) : Sun May 06, 2018 9:57 am  

Well, back to today's game. I live about a mile from the stadium and it's a beautiful day today. Clear blue skies and sunshine all round

Therefore, I expect torrential rain and wind to kick in at Odsal at about 2:35

But seriously, it's a great day for rugby. It's been fairly good week, weather-wise, so the pitch at Odsal should be good and firm.

I'm not expecting us to match York's scoreline but I wouldn't mind seeing us put on a cricket score this afternoon to help boost up that points difference as I've a feeling that it might be that which separates 1st from 2nd come the end of the season

Re: West Wales Raiders (H) : Sun May 06, 2018 4:17 pm  

Good win.

Re: West Wales Raiders (H) : Sun May 06, 2018 5:23 pm  

It must have been entertaining, everyone loves a close game...