: Wed May 06, 2009 8:49 am  

The Challenge Cup is obviously a Mickey Mouse competition as is the League. Although the latter is gaining a bit of credibility now we have won some matches

: Wed May 06, 2009 10:09 am  

bobsmyuncle wrote:

All indications are that the quins match will be played on the friday night before the Challenge Cup final.

Where have you heard this?
If it is, that would be bl00dy stupid. I would be furious. So anyone travelling down on the Sat morn (most people) wouldn't be able to go.

We have all the free cup weekends, it should be one of those.

: Wed May 06, 2009 10:11 am  

DILLIGAF wrote:

I did hear something about a double header, along with London Skolars v Keighley, on the Friday night before the Cup Final.

If that's the case, they'll be hoping to attract fans going down for the Cup Final to go to this, although I think the number of Quins/Bradford fans will be lower than it would if they did it on a normal weekend. (I for one wouldn't be going if they have it on a Friday night).

I've heard this. But just board gossip. Is there any fact to it?

: Thu May 07, 2009 12:55 pm  

http://www.totalrl.com/index.php?showtopic=175323 It is therefore 80% certain that the re-arranged match will be at The Stoop on the weekend of 9th August, (Challenge Cup Semi-Final weekend)

http://www.totalrl.com/index.php?showtopic=175323 It is therefore 80% certain that the re-arranged match will be at The Stoop on the weekend of 9th August, (Challenge Cup Semi-Final weekend)

: Thu May 07, 2009 1:44 pm  

DILLIGAF wrote:

Which to me is a clear message that they want to try and cash in on the "neutral" fans going to the final and aren't so bothered about making it easy for the Bulls fans. Fair enough, I won't be going if they do that. If they have it on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon as they usually do (and not the Cup Final weekend), I'll go.

Spot on. I hope the club are putting their foot down and arranging it at a time that is suitable for our fans to travel - which definitely isn't a Friday night.

: Thu May 07, 2009 8:26 pm  

Email from the club (yesterday admitedly):

At the moment the thinking is that it will be played on the Friday evening prior to the Challenge Cup Final. Whether that happens will be confirmed by Friday. If it is not going to be then, it is likely to be on August 8/9, which is not ideal because we play Quins on the 2nd at Odsal. The decision, when it is taken, will obviously be taken for Football reasons; i.e. when it is most suitable for the Coaches of both clubs. The RFL were keen for it to be played on a Wednesday between two Super League games – as per the rules – but the clubs argued against this and the compromise was the Challenge Cup weekend. However, London Scholars traditionally play a game on that night, hoping to attract a crowd who are there for the final. An agreement will have to be reached with them if it is to be that day.

: Fri May 08, 2009 8:33 am  

debaser wrote:

Email from the club (yesterday admitedly):
The RFL were keen for it to be played on a Wednesday between two Super League games – as per the rules

Pretty daft rule then. It's pretty clear this is beneficial to no one. The rule should be changed to state "unless both teams have a free weekend"

: Fri May 08, 2009 9:13 am  

Wigan Bull wrote:

Pretty daft rule then. It's pretty clear this is beneficial to no one. The rule should be changed to state "unless both teams have a free weekend"

Stuff the rules, it is a situation entirely outside the rules, we had an official fixture which the RFL insisted we cancel, to suit the wishes of Quins and the Aussies, for reasons which have nothing, at all, to do with Super League. It cost us money, and seriously affected our season.

There is nothing in the rules which says they can do this, but we were simply told that's how it is.

Despite the rules saying clearly that the fixture must be played as originally scheduled. It wasn't, and so the rules no longer apply to it; as it wasn't postponed under any rule, but on the whim/diktat of the RFL, so why would they apply?

: Fri May 08, 2009 9:20 am  

Ferocious Aardvark wrote:

Despite the rules saying clearly that the fixture must be played as originally scheduled. It wasn't, and so the rules no longer apply to it; as it wasn't postponed under any rule, but on the whim/diktat of the RFL, so why would they apply?

Is there really a rule stating this!?
I wouldn't have thought an Aussie side coming over and playing a warm up would have been considered!

: Fri May 08, 2009 9:35 am  

Wigan Bull wrote:

Is there really a rule stating this!?

I don't specifically know, and I can't be arrsed looking it up. I was commenting on the basis that once a fixture is fixed, it must be fulfilled. Clubs can't postpone a fixture, without a special dispensation from the RFL so that must be right.

Wigan Bull wrote:

I wouldn't have thought an Aussie side coming over and playing a warm up would have been considered!

Well, obviously not, but that's exactly what happened.

Edit:
I have been sufficiently arrsed to have a quick scan of the Operational Rules and found these provisions, in addition to the well know "play next Wednesday" rule:

B1:18 If a Match cannot go ahead as scheduled or in the case of a further postponement or in
the case of a dispute, the Board will decide when and where the Match will be played.

The next bit confrims what I claimed:

B1:19 Any Club refusing to play on the published date unless the Inspector or appointed referee
has stated that the ground is unfit for play shall be guilty of Misconduct and shall be
punishable by way of fine or otherwise pursuant to Section D1 of these Operational
Rules. The Board shall decide whether the Club refusing to play shall forfeit the Match or
whether the Match shall be replayed, and if it is to be replayed the Board shall determine
the venue, date and kick off.

MATCHES
B3:10 Any Club failing to fulfil a Match on the scheduled date, for any reason which the Board
considers unsatisfactory, shall be guilty of misconduct.
B3:11 Cup Ties shall take precedence over League Matches and the latter must be postponed if
the Board so directs.

B7:45 When a match is postponed for a valid reason or by mutual consent a new date must
be agreed and confirmed to the RFL within 7 days of the postponement. Failure to
rearrange the fixture within this time will be referred to Compliance

I can't find anything which specifically gives the RFL the power to postpone the fixture like they did, but presumably on the basis that they make the fixtures and they make the rules, they can do what they like.