Re: Challenge Cup - York Acorn : Sat Feb 08, 2025 7:22 pm  

BP1 wrote:

Yes. You can correct me on this if I'm mistaken, but I think that came in the middle of a run (April to August) when we won 9 out of 14 (SL & CC) including victories over Wigan, Wire, Saints and the derby win at CP (which you mention above). I thought after the derby win that we were the team most likely to pinch a play-off spot. We then lost at Wigan (golden-point drop-goal), had our usual end of season collapse to be followed by 2024 (the less of which said the better I think!!!).
In that run of games you mention, there appeared to be genuine hope of at least progress. To say that hope evaporated is an understatement to say the least!

Yes after winning the first two games of the Smith era we lost seven in a row but then found some form with Trueman in the team and as you say won 9/14. We had that big win at home to Wakefield but that was it and we lost the final six games, dropping from 8th to 10th.

Re: Challenge Cup - York Acorn : Sat Feb 08, 2025 7:33 pm  

number 6 wrote:

the 4th round draw live on bbc2 next saturday evening at half time of the Sts v Salford game, surely its an open draw from now?

Yes, just all balls in the pot now.

Has it been successful? West Hull getting a big pay day, Fax pushing Catalans until the 60th minute, York Acorn scoring a try against a professional club, Bradford still with a chance of upsetting Cas, all been positive so far.

The heavy defeats, the idea of playing clubs away not actually being allowed to happen, all a bit of a farce.

I'm sure for those players from West Hull, York Acorn and Wests Warriors though, it'll be a day (and probably the night out after) they'll remember for a long time.

Re: Challenge Cup - York Acorn : Sat Feb 08, 2025 8:14 pm  

Faithful One wrote:

Yes, just all balls in the pot now.

Has it been successful? West Hull getting a big pay day, Fax pushing Catalans until the 60th minute, York Acorn scoring a try against a professional club, Bradford still with a chance of upsetting Cas, all been positive so far.

The heavy defeats, the idea of playing clubs away not actually being allowed to happen, all a bit of a farce.

I'm sure for those players from West Hull, York Acorn and Wests Warriors though, it'll be a day (and probably the night out after) they'll remember for a long time.

I think on balance I like the idea, some of the execution hasn't been great (venues, West Hull and Hull FC playing at the same time etc) but it's given the amateur and semi pro clubs a bit of cash and a good experience, and I think most of the SL clubs will have got something out of it too. On balance I think it's been better than just giving them all a bye.

Re: Challenge Cup - York Acorn : Sat Feb 08, 2025 9:58 pm  

Mr. Zucchini Head wrote:

I think on balance I like the idea, some of the execution hasn't been great (venues, West Hull and Hull FC playing at the same time etc) but it's given the amateur and semi pro clubs a bit of cash and a good experience, and I think most of the SL clubs will have got something out of it too. On balance I think it's been better than just giving them all a bye.

I agree, and competitive games even with a gulf in quality still better than friendlies for preparation. An idea might be they book a neutral ground or two like Fev as a backup in case teams cant host at home.

It took long to arrange the alternative arrangements, and seems for the West Hull game many got in free because Craven Park wasn't anticipating such a big crowd? Gates then had to be opened for safety reasons. West Hull are now asking for people to bank transfer them the ticket price if they didn't pay.