Rugby League

Challenge Cup 2nd Round

Sunday 28th January 2024

Kick Off 14.00

Orrell St. James 12 York Acorn 22, attendance 450

@ Bankes Avenue

Orrell

WN5 8HU

£3 Admission

Programme available, didn’t bother buying.

Another Challenge Cup match for me today and a long slog north to the outskirts of Wigan, the ground visible from the M6, on the right, as you approach J26 to exit and only a couple of minutes from there. The ground is at the end of Bankes Avenue, where there is a car park at the entrance (I parked in the road to avoid the chance of getting blocked in) and once through the entrance gate you entered the clubhouse and then the pitch, which runs widthways in front and has a slight end to end slope. It is fully railed with a plastic barrier and there are dugouts on the far side, as well as three floodlight pylons on that side only, whilst hard standing is on two and a bit sides. The only cover here is a small overhang on the front of the clubhouse.

The match was the reigning North West Counties champions versus National Conference League Premier Division. Orrell had beaten Haresfinch in the first round, whilst York had only come into the competition at this stage. I hoped this would be close and wasn’t disappointed, as there’s nothing worse than a one sided thrashing in rugby league. It didn’t look like it would turn out that way though, as York went over to score the first try after just 37 seconds and converted the kick to make it 0-6. There had been no further points added when a bad injury occurred after 35 minutes 2 seconds to a York player. He was unable to be moved and an ambulance was called. It arrived about half an later and after a break in play, we were back underway and completed the remaining minutes of the half with no further score, followed by a quick halftime, of only a couple of minutes, during which the players stayed out on the pitch.

York made a flying start again, converting a try to open up a 0-12 lead just two minutes in. Four minutes later Orrell went over for a try of their own, which was converted to make it 6-12. Two more tries for the visitors, one converted, saw them extend their lead in the next ten minutes to 6-22 and the win looked secured. Orrell did convert another try on the hour mark to make it 12-22, but that was the last score of the day.

The game ended at 16.22 and was finished without having to turn on the floodlights.

Rugby League

Challenge Cup 2nd Round

Saturday 27th January 2024

Kick Off 17.00

Hammersmith Hills Hoists 32 West Bowling 10, attendance 95

@ Chiswick R.U.F.C.

Don Mason Drive

Chiswick

London

W4 2SH

No Admission or Programme.

I arrived here about 50 minutes before kick off. Chiswick R.U.F.C.’s reserve team were in the last few minutes of their match, hence my game having a 5 o’clock start. I was surprised there was no admission charge or even a programme produced. Perhaps they couldn’t be bothered. It was a pretty poor turnout for such a big game, with about twenty of the crowd coming down from Yorkshire with the visitors. I had seen Hammersmith play a home game back in June 2011, when they played at Twyford Avenue Sports Ground, in Acton, West London, but they now appear to have relocated here to Chiswick. It’s a better facility, but I’m not really a fan of watching rugby on a synthetic surface.

Hammersmith Hills Hoists were formed in 2008 by Australian expats and play in the Southern Conference League, where they are the reigning champions, whilst West Bowling are in the National Conference League Premier Division. It was an excellent game, although it was spoiled by the constant fighting that occurred at far too regular intervals and it was hard to keep up with who was being sent off and who was just getting a ten minute sin bin, such was the frequency of mass brawls breaking out. It certainly didn’t help matters with the two kits being so similar either as it was hard to tell exactly who was hitting who! The game finished with yet another punch up in the centre circle and the Referee was brandishing red and yellow cards to both teams, but no idea who was getting what. Sadly, no match report has been posted anywhere by either side, which doesn’t help matters.

West Bowling had a man sent off after just twelve minutes and soon trailed 12-0. Hammersmith had a man sin binned after half an hour and within a minute West Bowling scored a try to pull it back to 12-4, but a converted try for Hammersmith saw them lead 18-4 by halftime. An early try, which was converted, saw West Bowling reduce the arrears to 18-10, but that was to be their last points of the day. Hammersmith ran in three more tries, but only converted one of them, to comfortably lead 32-10 and surprisingly there were no more points added in the final nineteen minutes.

Rugby League

League 1

Sunday 27th August 2023

Kick Off 13.00

Cornwall 18 Rochdale Hornets 12, attendance 465

@ Penryn R.U.F.C.

The Memorial Ground

Kernick Road

Penryn

TR10 8NT

£10 Admission (advance booking online)

No Programme.

This was my last opportunity this season to get a visit in to watch Cornwall R.L. as this was the final game of the season. Even better, rather than do it over the summer, making a special journey, I’ve managed to tie it in with a few football matches as well.

I couldn’t have picked a better game. It was an absolutely superb effort from them and apparently the first victory they’ve ever achieved against one of the ‘traditional heartland’ clubs of the game. They came into this sitting ninth (second bottom) in the league table, having won four of their seventeen games up to this point, behind Midlands Hurricanes on points difference and just two points adrift of today’s visitors Rochdale Hornets.

Rochdale scored twice in the opening twelve minutes, to lead 0-8 with tries by Brierley and Harrison, but were unable to convert either of them. Cornwall hit back with a try of their own from Brown, who also kicked the conversion and the game was really in the balance as it remained 6-8 at halftime. Eight minutes into the second half Cornwall went in front for the first time, when a try from Mitchell was converted again by Brown to see them go 12-8 ahead. A sin bin saw Cornwall reduced to twelve men following a delay of the restart and just before Whitton was due to return, Brewin went over in the corner to make it 12-12, but they were unable to add the conversion. Cornwall missed a couple of attempted drop goals, as they tried to nick the win late on and it looked as if we were heading for a draw, when in the dying seconds Whitton scored right in the corner and the conversion, with the final kick of the match, was added by Brown to give Cornwall the win.

Cornwall play at the home of Penryn R.U.F.C. (the oldest rugby club in Cornwall) which is just outside Falmouth. Only three sides of the ground are accessible to spectators, with the side opposite the main stand out of bounds. For a club that has struggled somewhat on the pitch, the crowd was certainly impressive. I counted 465, which is not bad at all. Imagine what they’d pull in if they were challenging at the top of the table.

Rugby League

League 1

Sunday 9th July 2023

Kick Off 15.00

Midlands Hurricanes 22 Hunslet 54, attendance 276

@ Derby R.U.F.C.

Haslams

Haslams Lane

Derby

DE22 1EB

£10 Admission

No Programme.

As far as I know, this will be the last of the ‘on the road’ games I’ll be watching this season as most clubs revert to using their normal home venues for the remainder of the season. It is a far better venue than the awful running track ground they normally play at behind the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham and would surely be a better option as a permanent base. It also helps that it is nearer to the rugby league heartland, giving the possibility of attracting a few more visiting club supporters as well, with the crowd today being almost 80 higher than the one they attracted for the game I saw them play in Birmingham.

The match was 8th versus 3rd in the league table. It looked like Hurricanes might have been on for a rare win at one stage. They were 12-0 up early on and despite Hunslet pulling it back to 12-12, they managed to restore their six point lead again, before Hunslet hit back once again to level the scores at 18-18 just before halftime. The second half was one way traffic as Hunslet ran in five unanswered tries to lead 18-48 and although Hurricanes did eventually manage a late try, Hunslet went straight up the other end to score again and give them a resounding 22-54 win, which included a hat trick for winger Alfie Goddard. The win now takes them above Doncaster into second place in the table.

Rugby League

League 1

Sunday 25th June 2023

Kick Off 14.30

North Wales Crusaders 20 Hunslet 30, attendance 314

@ Chester R.U.F.C.

Hare Lane

Littleton

CH3 7DB

£15 Admission

No Programme.

I was living abroad when North Wales Crusaders played a couple of games here at Chester R.U.F.C. back in 2016, so with their next three home games scheduled to be played here (whilst they await the completion of the 3G pitch installation at their normal venue Eiras Park in Colwyn Bay) I took the first opportunity to make a visit.

The match was 6th versus 4th in the league table and Crusaders came into it on the back of four consecutive wins. Crusaders went 6-0 up early on, but Hunslet quickly replied to make it 6-6. Tries by Kieran Taylor and Pat Rainford saw Crusaders edge back in front to lead 16-6 at halftime. They were unable to add to this though, as Hunslet hit them with 24 unanswered points in the second half, including tries from Sam Hallas (2) Josh Jordan-Roberts and Jimmy Watson to comfortably lead 16-30. Crusaders did manage the last score of the match though, despite being down to 12 following a sin bin, when Josh Lynch sprinted clear to score his second try of the game as we reached the final minute, but they were unable to convert.

Rugby League

League 1

Sunday 18th June 2023

Kick Off 14.30

North Wales Crusaders 62 Midlands Hurricanes 24, attendance 235

@ Nant Conwy R.U.F.C.

Pant Y Carw (B5106)

Llanrwst

LL26 0PW

£15 Admission

No Programme.

An overnight stay in the North West meant an easy drive into North Wales for this game. Crusaders normal home venue at Eirias Stadium in Colwyn Bay, which I have yet to visit, was unavailable due to delays in the laying of a new 3G pitch, so today’s game was moved to here in Llanrwst.

The game was 7th versus 8th in the league table and went very much the way of the hosts, as expected, as they made it four wins on the trot, having beaten the bottom three clubs in consecutive matches (London Skolars, Cornwall and today’s visitors in the reverse fixture) coming into this. It was never really a contest. Crusaders already led 30-0 before Hurricanes managed a try of their own. By halftime it was 34-6.

An early second half try made it 38-6, before Hurricanes ran in three unanswered tries, all converted, to pull it back to 38-24, but it was just too far a deficit to pull back. Crusaders stepped it up again from here and ran in four more tries to take a comfortable 62-24 win.

Luckily, the heavy rain and thunderstorms didn’t arrive until late in the game. The last ten minutes saw puddles start to form on the pitch, but no problem with getting the game finished. The stand offered protection from the rain, but not too sure how safe it was sitting in a metal stand with lightning flashing overhead.

The homeward journey was a 5 hour slog, via A470, A5, M54, M6, M42, M40 and M25. Crusaders are at home for the next two matches as well, with venue yet to be confirmed, so I could be doing it all again sooner than expected, if they play somewhere I’ve yet to see a game at….fingers crossed!

Rugby League

National Conference League

Division 1

Saturday 17th June 2023

Kick Off 14.30

Pilkington Recs 10 Oulton Raiders 10, attendance 78

@ Ruskin Drive Sports Ground

Ruskin Drive

Dentons Green

St. Helens

WA10 6RP

£3 Admission, including 16 page Programme.

According to the league table on the BBC website, this was 10th versus 2nd in the league table, but the programme indicated that bottom club Featherstone Lions, who Oulton have beaten twice this season, have withdrawn from the competition and accordingly the subsequent table adjustments mean that Oulton have now dropped to sixth place.

It turned out to be a cracking game. Oulton scored a try after three minutes, but failed to convert and three minutes later Pilks drew level, before adding the kick to lead 6-4. Surprisingly, there were no more points added in the remainder of the half.

The second half remained in the balance and with twelve minutes left Oulton scored their second try of the game and added the two point conversion to lead 6-10. Unfortunately for them, they then had a man sin binned and with a man short were unable to prevent Pilks from finally drawing level two minutes from the end when they scored close to the posts to level it up at 10-10. Somehow a relatively easy conversion was sent wide of the target and we ended up all square.

Home to Pilks is Ruskin Drive Sports Ground, which was very busy today as bowls and a cricket match were also taking place. I had been here twice before to watch football. In December 2000 I saw Pilkington beat Barnton 4-1 in a Mid Cheshire League match, which was played on a grass pitch now partially covered by today’s pitch, whilst in August 2017 I had seen the 0-0 draw between St. Helens Town and Abbey Hulton United (on the other 3G ground that runs in the opposite direction at the near end of the rugby ground) where the game was infamously abandoned seven minutes into stoppage time, due to the floodlights going off just as Abbey Hulton were about to take a penalty, with what would have been the final kick of the match.

Rugby League

National Conference League

Premier Division

Saturday 10th June 2023

Kick Off 14.30

Rochdale Mayfield 50 Thatto Heath Crusaders 26, attendance 410

@ Mayfield Sports Centre

Keswick Street

off Heywood Road

Castleton

OL11 3AG

£3 Admission

No Programme.

Having stopped overnight at Winwick, just north of Junction 9 of the M62, it was an easy half hour drive to do the 25 miles to Castleton, just south west of Rochdale. As with last night, it was a ground I had already visited for football. It was previously the home of Castleton Gabriels F.C. who I had seen draw 2-2 versus Chadderton in a North West Counties League Division 2 match here back on 26th October 1999. In those days it was known as Butterworth Park. It is a cracking old ground, that oozes character and was a very pleasant place to spend an afternoon in baking sun, overlooking the moors on the far side of the ground. Good to see a crowd in excess of 400 too, as second in the table Rochdale Mayfield (won 9 lost 1) hosted sixth placed Thatto Heath Crusaders (won 5 lost 6).

It was a comfortable win for Mayfield. They led 12-0 before Thatto Heath scored their first points of the day with a try that pulled it back to 12-4, but by halftime Mayfield had increased their lead to 28-4. The second half was much more even and actually finished 22-22, but the damage had already been done and Mayfield deservedly held on for the win. They remain second in the league table, behind leaders Hunslet on points difference, but they do have a game in hand on the leaders.

The journey back south was uneventful, with traffic surprisingly light.

Rugby League

Super League

Friday June 9th 2023

20.00 Kick Off

St. Helens 34 Wigan Warriors 16, attendance 17,088

@ Totally Wicked Stadium

McManus Drive

Peasley Cross Lane

St. Helens

WA9 3AL

£30 Admission, e-ticket

Programme? Never saw any.

I had already been here for football. I hadn’t realised it was as far back as March 2012 that I saw Liverpool U19 lose 0-6 to Ajax U19 in the Nextgen Cup semi final in front of a 6,000 crowd. The ground was named Langtree Park when it opened that year, but took on the sponsor name of Totally Wicked Stadium in 2017. The stadium has a capacity of 18,000 and is seated along the sides, but has terracing behind each goal. It is a far cry from their previous home at Knowsley Road, where I had seen them beat Leigh 12-6 in a Division 1 game on 25th March 1990 in front of 9,189 spectators, which was only my third ever rugby league ground attended at the time (I subsequently visited for football, seeing Liverpool Reserves play 4 games there between December 1999 and February 2000).

The Saints-Wigan derby is probably the biggest rivalry in the northern hemisphere, so I was surprised that tickets were still available to book online the day before the game, albeit only odd seats here and there. Rather oddly the attendance was announced as 16,272 at the game, but this was increased to 17,088 according to the official club Twitter the following morning. No idea how they can come up with two different figures in this day and age. Either way, it was short of the ground record of 17,980 that this fixture attracted in both the 2012 and 2014 meetings. Perhaps a major contributor was the fact that both teams are having relatively poor seasons by their normal high standards, as it was only 6th versus 4th as far as the league table was concerned, both at least two wins adrift of top two Warrington Wolves and Catalan Dragons.

It only took Saints four minutes to go ahead, when Joe Batchelor scored from close to the line and Tommy Makinson converted to make it 6-0. Wigan levelled at 6-6 when Harry Smith chipped over the top for Jai Field to cross the line, with the kick converted by Smith. Makinson then went over in the corner and converted his own try to make it 12-6, but Wigan pulled it back to 12-10 with a try from Bevan French. Right on halftime Saints made it 18-10, when Jack Welsby collected his own kick to score near the posts, which was converted by Makinson to give the hosts an eight point lead at the break.

Saints started the better in the second half, as a close range try by Agnatius Paasi was converted by Makinson to make it 24-10, before Welsby went over, again converted by Makinson, to stretch the lead to 30-10. Makinson scored in the corner, but couldn’t convert, to make it 34-10. A try by Abbas Miski, converted by Smith, did reduce the arrears for Wigan in the dying minutes, but Saints were well worth their 34-16 win.

The journey up to the North West was painfully slow, as expected, taking five and a half hours to drive the 230 miles. I was stopping overnight, so didn’t have to worry about endless lane closures on the return journey.

Rugby League

Challenge Cup 5th Round

Sunday 23rd April 2023

Kick Off 15.00

London Broncos 36 Dewsbury Rams 16, attendance 362

@ Rosslyn Park R.U.F.C.

Priory Lane

Roehampton

London

SW15 5JH

£15 Admission, booked online

No Programme.

I had been disappointed to miss out when London Broncos played their last round home Challenge Cup tie here at Rosslyn Park on a Saturday, as football always takes preference for me, so couldn’t miss the opportunity to visit today when this tie was also switched here from their normal home venue at A.F.C. Wimbledon’s Cherry Red Records Stadium (Plough Lane). The drive into London took 50 minutes (it’s only 17 miles) and street parking was readily available just 100 yards from the ground, as there are no restrictions on a Sunday, despite it being right off the A205 South Circular.

London started as favourites, as they play in a division above Dewsbury, but what we got was an excellent match that could easily have gone the way of the visitors, but they tired towards the end and London cruised into the next round. London went in front scoring the opening try through Iliess Macani, but Dewsbury hit back with a try of their own from Lewis Carr, which was converted to make it 4-6. Just before the break Bill Leyland went over for a try and when it was converted it saw London lead 10-6 at the break.

The second half started well for Dewsbury and Lewis Carr scored his second try of the afternoon, which was converted to make the score 10-12 and a Brad Graham try saw them extend their lead to 10-16. If they could have got another try at this stage, then they may have been able to see the game out, but they were unable to add any further points. Tries from Lewis Bienek, Macani again, then Wellington Albert saw London open up a 26-16 lead and two late tries from Marcus Stock and Jarred Bassett saw the Broncos take the tie 36-16 and book themselves a trip to York City Knights in the next round.