The Death Knell For The 1895 Wembley Cup Final : Sat Aug 24, 2019 6:16 pm  

Surely I am now witnessing this via the BBC Red button at HT live from an all but deserted Wembley.

This is not a good advert for Championship RL, or indeed a good look for Rugby League at all.

The game kicked of 25 min late as the Challenge Cup commentary team continued to digest all the talking points and interviews from the Warrington / St.Helens Cup Final. No mention of The 1895 match other than a passing token that it would follow The Challenge Cup Final analysis.

When it did kick off it looked like the BBC were filming an amateur match without a single replay of any try or action. Half Time was 25 mins of complete SILENCE.

If it was to be played prior to the Challenge Cup Final then there could be some merit to retain it at Wembley. If not bin it or move it elsewhere.

I would not be surprised if some clubs refuse to enter it next year, especially the likes of Leeds and Hull KR IF they were to be relegated. Halifax have already hit out against it.

Luckily the score is close, but It is not selling or enhancing the sport of RL one bit in it's current guise. I would say it is taking the game backwards a level.

Re: The Death Knell For The 1895 Wembley Cup Final : Sat Aug 24, 2019 6:34 pm  

[quote="Harold Rigby Jnr"]Surely I am now witnessing this via the BBC Red button at HT live from an all but deserted Wembley.

This is not a good advert for Championship RL, or indeed a good look for Rugby League at all.

The game kicked of 25 min late as the Challenge Cup commentary team continued to digest all the talking points and interviews from the Warrington / St.Helens Cup Final. No mention of The 1895 match other than a passing token that it would follow The Challenge Cup Final analysis.

When it did kick off it looked like the BBC were filming an amateur match without a single replay of any try or action. Half Time was 25 mins of complete SILENCE.

If it was to be played prior to the Challenge Cup Final then there could be some merit to retain it at Wembley. If not bin it or move it elsewhere.

I would not be surprised if some clubs refuse to enter it next year, especially the likes of Leeds and Hull KR IF they were to be relegated. Halifax have already hit out against it.

Luckily the score is close, but It is not selling or enhancing the sport of RL one bit in it's current guise. I would say it is taking the game backwards a level

Ineptitude from the RFL, whoever would believe it!!!

Re: The Death Knell For The 1895 Wembley Cup Final : Sat Aug 24, 2019 7:47 pm  

Originally only on the "our league" app.. The red button being a bonus. The point was made months ago concerning the fact the 1895 cup would be played after the main event.

Too late in the day to start criticising now.

Re: The Death Knell For The 1895 Wembley Cup Final : Sat Aug 24, 2019 9:02 pm  

Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise to lose in the semis. After all, our propensity to lose big matches recently leads me to believe we would have probably not been able to match Sheff’s display in the 2nd half. The Widnes website is already in meltdown!!

Re: The Death Knell For The 1895 Wembley Cup Final : Sat Aug 24, 2019 9:02 pm  

atomic wrote:

The point was made months ago concerning the fact the 1895 cup would be played after the main event.

Too late in the day to start criticising now.

Only my observation given the proof is now in the pudding so to speak.

Re: The Death Knell For The 1895 Wembley Cup Final : Sat Aug 24, 2019 9:10 pm  

Harold Rigby Jnr wrote:

Surely I am now witnessing this via the BBC Red button at HT live from an all but deserted Wembley.

This is not a good advert for Championship RL, or indeed a good look for Rugby League at all.

The game kicked of 25 min late as the Challenge Cup commentary team continued to digest all the talking points and interviews from the Warrington / St.Helens Cup Final. No mention of The 1895 match other than a passing token that it would follow The Challenge Cup Final analysis.

When it did kick off it looked like the BBC were filming an amateur match without a single replay of any try or action. Half Time was 25 mins of complete SILENCE.

If it was to be played prior to the Challenge Cup Final then there could be some merit to retain it at Wembley. If not bin it or move it elsewhere.

I would not be surprised if some clubs refuse to enter it next year, especially the likes of Leeds and Hull KR IF they were to be relegated. Halifax have already hit out against it.

Luckily the score is close, but It is not selling or enhancing the sport of RL one bit in it's current guise. I would say it is taking the game backwards a level.

Harold, we have dodged a bullet and saved the embarrassment of the whole farce of the comp.

Re: The Death Knell For The 1895 Wembley Cup Final : Sat Aug 24, 2019 9:46 pm  

Who won? Anyone know if Derek got his dream of presenting the trophy on live TV? Did he get to compare notes with prince Harry?

Re: The Death Knell For The 1895 Wembley Cup Final : Sat Aug 24, 2019 10:08 pm  

Cokey wrote:

Harold, we have dodged a bullet and saved the embarrassment of the whole farce of the comp.

Certainly not a farce for AB Sundecks.

Re: The Death Knell For The 1895 Wembley Cup Final : Sat Aug 24, 2019 10:28 pm  

The Plate final in 1997 was before the Challenge Cup final, and if you look at the footage on Youtube the stadium is at least 'half full' at the end of the 1st half, and I doubt it was just Hunslet & Hull KR fans ! RFL, either stage it before the main event, or scrap it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qc18qxRWzo

The Plate final in 1997 was before the Challenge Cup final, and if you look at the footage on Youtube the stadium is at least 'half full' at the end of the 1st half, and I doubt it was just Hunslet & Hull KR fans ! RFL, either stage it before the main event, or scrap it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qc18qxRWzo

Re: The Death Knell For The 1895 Wembley Cup Final : Sat Aug 24, 2019 10:51 pm  

atomic wrote:

Certainly not a farce for AB Sundecks.

Maybe or maybe not,but someone enquired and said, I want decking,and got a smack right on his conk.