The Stadium Opener - Saints Vs Widnes : Tue Nov 08, 2011 2:34 pm  

http://www.widnesvikings.co.uk/article.php?id=6312# Saints and Vikings announce date for annual Karalius Cup game Be a part of history! The first match at Saints' brand new state-of-the-art stadium will be the traditional Karalius Cup clash with Widnes Vikings. Kicking off at 8pm on Friday January 20, Royce Simmons' charges will pit their wits against Denis Betts' Super League new boys in a bid to retain the trophy. Betts said: "To play the 2011 Super League Grand Finalists in what will be the first game at their brand new stadium is a massive honour for this club and further proves the strong link we have with St. Helens. "Given the game is just a couple of weeks away from our 2012 Super League opener, going head to head with such quality opposition will also give us a greater understanding of how our pre-season has gone and where we're at. "As a player and a coach, I don't think I've ever equated the words Rugby League and friendly in the same sentence. Whenever you play this game you can't go into it half-hearted and you have to give it full bore which is certainly how we'll be treating it and I've no doubt whatsoever that it'll be a real contest between the two teams." Both sides will be at full strength for the game and that means Saints fans are likely to see the debuts of Anthony Laffranchi, Lance Hohaia and Mark Flanagan. Simmons' squad will also feature the exciting talents of Jonny Lomax, Jamie Foster and co. Royce added: "We're delighted to welcome Widnes to our new home and I have no doubt it will be a good game. We will be well on with our season preparations and a game against a Super League club will be a real test. As a result, we will be putting out our strongest side. "It's also nice to welcome the Vikings to the stadium for this historic match as a thank you for their help and hospitality last season." Tickets for the annual Karalius Cup game will be available from both clubs and will go on sale soon. St. Helens v Widnes Vikings Friday 20 January 2012 KO - 8.00pm BRING IT ON

http://www.widnesvikings.co.uk/article.php?id=6312# Saints and Vikings announce date for annual Karalius Cup game Be a part of history! The first match at Saints' brand new state-of-the-art stadium will be the traditional Karalius Cup clash with Widnes Vikings. Kicking off at 8pm on Friday January 20, Royce Simmons' charges will pit their wits against Denis Betts' Super League new boys in a bid to retain the trophy. Betts said: "To play the 2011 Super League Grand Finalists in what will be the first game at their brand new stadium is a massive honour for this club and further proves the strong link we have with St. Helens. "Given the game is just a couple of weeks away from our 2012 Super League opener, going head to head with such quality opposition will also give us a greater understanding of how our pre-season has gone and where we're at. "As a player and a coach, I don't think I've ever equated the words Rugby League and friendly in the same sentence. Whenever you play this game you can't go into it half-hearted and you have to give it full bore which is certainly how we'll be treating it and I've no doubt whatsoever that it'll be a real contest between the two teams." Both sides will be at full strength for the game and that means Saints fans are likely to see the debuts of Anthony Laffranchi, Lance Hohaia and Mark Flanagan. Simmons' squad will also feature the exciting talents of Jonny Lomax, Jamie Foster and co. Royce added: "We're delighted to welcome Widnes to our new home and I have no doubt it will be a good game. We will be well on with our season preparations and a game against a Super League club will be a real test. As a result, we will be putting out our strongest side. "It's also nice to welcome the Vikings to the stadium for this historic match as a thank you for their help and hospitality last season." Tickets for the annual Karalius Cup game will be available from both clubs and will go on sale soon. St. Helens v Widnes Vikings Friday 20 January 2012 KO - 8.00pm BRING IT ON

Re: The Stadium Opener - Saints Vs Widnes : Tue Nov 08, 2011 6:23 pm  

J20 wrote:

http://www.widnesvikings.co.uk/article.php?id=6312#

Saints and Vikings announce date for annual Karalius Cup game

Be a part of history! The first match at Saints' brand new state-of-the-art stadium will be the traditional Karalius Cup clash with Widnes Vikings.

Kicking off at 8pm on Friday January 20, Royce Simmons' charges will pit their wits against Denis Betts' Super League new boys in a bid to retain the trophy.

Betts said: "To play the 2011 Super League Grand Finalists in what will be the first game at their brand new stadium is a massive honour for this club and further proves the strong link we have with St. Helens.

"Given the game is just a couple of weeks away from our 2012 Super League opener, going head to head with such quality opposition will also give us a greater understanding of how our pre-season has gone and where we're at.

"As a player and a coach, I don't think I've ever equated the words Rugby League and friendly in the same sentence. Whenever you play this game you can't go into it half-hearted and you have to give it full bore which is certainly how we'll be treating it and I've no doubt whatsoever that it'll be a real contest between the two teams."

Both sides will be at full strength for the game and that means Saints fans are likely to see the debuts of Anthony Laffranchi, Lance Hohaia and Mark Flanagan. Simmons' squad will also feature the exciting talents of Jonny Lomax, Jamie Foster and co.

Royce added: "We're delighted to welcome Widnes to our new home and I have no doubt it will be a good game. We will be well on with our season preparations and a game against a Super League club will be a real test. As a result, we will be putting out our strongest side.

"It's also nice to welcome the Vikings to the stadium for this historic match as a thank you for their help and hospitality last season."

Tickets for the annual Karalius Cup game will be available from both clubs and will go on sale soon.

St. Helens v Widnes Vikings

Friday 20 January 2012

KO - 8.00pm

BRING IT ON

£20 for a friendly will surley put people off.

Re: The Stadium Opener - Saints Vs Widnes : Tue Nov 08, 2011 6:35 pm  

Think about it though. We'll be the first team to play them at their brand new stadium. How much of an honour is that? £20 is steep for a friendly but this is not an ordinary friendly.

Re: The Stadium Opener - Saints Vs Widnes : Tue Nov 08, 2011 6:41 pm  

widnes eric wrote:

£20 for a friendly will surley put people off.

A friendly at 8:00pm on a Friday night in midwinter, doesn't sound too appealing either. Not really great for taking the family that.

What's wrong with a Sunday afternoon?

I think you're right. People will be put off, me included.

Re: The Stadium Opener - Saints Vs Widnes : Tue Nov 08, 2011 6:44 pm  

£20 for a friendly, jeez I know it's the opening game but that's a tad steep. I'll still be going but I imagine that will put a few off and why not a sunday?

Re: The Stadium Opener - Saints Vs Widnes : Tue Nov 08, 2011 7:24 pm  

Welcome back to ' Super ' League

Stop your moaning , you are sounding like bloody Yorkshiremen , don't forget this actually is Saints stadium , they have to pay for it

Re: The Stadium Opener - Saints Vs Widnes : Tue Nov 08, 2011 9:12 pm  

I think the idea is to put a few off tbh as nerds to be a 'limited amount' to get a safety certificate before fully being open.

Leigh have a similar problem as they struggle to get 4,000 in there to sign it off

Re: The Stadium Opener - Saints Vs Widnes : Tue Nov 08, 2011 9:35 pm  

Pepe wrote:

A friendly at 8:00pm on a Friday night in midwinter, doesn't sound too appealing either. Not really great for taking the family that.

Then don't take them!

£20 is standard fare in Superleague. You'll have to get used to it. At least you'll get an away end with a roof over your head. Prepare to visit Yorkshire and be rained on for your twenty quid!

Re: The Stadium Opener - Saints Vs Widnes : Tue Nov 08, 2011 9:50 pm  

Chris Dalton wrote:

Think about it though. We'll be the first team to play them at their brand new stadium. How much of an honour is that? £20 is steep for a friendly but this is not an ordinary friendly.

its £20 for a friendly...

a SL game isn't £20

this really ISNT an ordinary friendly..... is emma watson getting her t*ts out at half time or something?

Re: The Stadium Opener - Saints Vs Widnes : Wed Nov 09, 2011 12:30 am  

Let's put it this way, maybe if we were playing wire I'd feel cheated but this isn't the team of some two bit flea market. These are grand finalists.