Round 9
Printed From: National League Rugby Discussion Forum
Category: League Rugby - www.leaguerugby.co.uk
Forum Name: The Championship
Forum Description: Discuss the 12 clubs forming the English Championship.
URL: http://www.leaguerugby.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=20554
Printed Date: 06 Jan 2025 at 07:20
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Topic: Round 9
Posted By: The Blues
Subject: Round 9
Date Posted: 15 Dec 2024 at 19:34
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Some big games at the top and bottom! Saturday Caldy v London Scottish Cambridge v Ampthill Hartpury v Nottingham Chinnor v Bedford Blues Coventry v Ealing Trailfinders Sunday Pirates v Knights
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Replies:
Posted By: Trailfinder
Date Posted: 15 Dec 2024 at 19:38
| Cov vs Ealing will be a belter, any chance it will be live-streamed? |
Posted By: The Blues
Date Posted: 15 Dec 2024 at 19:46
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I haven't been able to play the last few weeks but I am back although maybe temporarily! Saturday Caldy 0 - 5 London Scottish - assuming Scottish have their Quins Cambridge 0 - 5 Ampthill - Cambridge could react, but also I think after such a pounding they will be demoralised Hartpury 5 - 2 Nottingham - home advantage to edge this between 2 good teams Chinnor 1 - 5 Bedford Blues - Blues have a run of games against lower teams (Chinnor, Cambridge & Ampthill), so need to make this count, but will leak tries as well as score them! Coventry 1 - 5 Ealing Trailfinders - did Coventry have one eye on Ealing? Blues took Ealing close, but it was also a comprehensive win for Pirates. Sunday Pirates 4 - 1 Knights - could go either way, but Pirates destroyed Coventry the other day. |
Posted By: Stalwart*
Date Posted: 15 Dec 2024 at 22:24
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Caldy 1 v London Scottish 4 Cambridge 1 v Ampthill 4 Hartpury1 v Nottingham 4 Chinnor 1v Bedford Blues 4 Coventry 4 v Ealing Trailfinders 1 Pirates 4 Doncaster 1 ------------- Pirate |
Posted By: Camquin
Date Posted: 15 Dec 2024 at 22:33
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Agree, Coventry v Ealing is a key clash. I do not care about live-streaming, as I will be on the sidelines at Cambridge, but if we could watch it when we get home. I just hope Cambridge can pick themselves up, and 2,000 fans can roar them home. However, we historically do better against them at their ground than at ours. ------------- Sweeney Delenda Est |
Posted By: KnightsBoy
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2024 at 08:16
Pirates v Donny stalwart
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Stalwart* wrote:Posted By: Stalwart*
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2024 at 09:27
How could I miss out that one! Edited accordingly. Cheers. ------------- Pirate |
Posted By: Rob C
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2024 at 10:58
Prior to Saturday I'd have agreed, but we're looking at two teams heading in opposite directions form-wise. Cov are increasingly becoming a shadow of the team that put Bedford to the sword earlier in the season.
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Posted By: Jezmar
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2024 at 11:39
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Caldy 1 v 4 London Scottish Cambridge 0 v 5 Ampthill Hartpury 5 v 1 Nottingham Chinnor 5 v 2 Bedford Blues Coventry 1 v 5 Ealing Trailfinders
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Posted By: Paul10
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2024 at 11:59
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Caldy 1 v London Scottish 5 Cambridge 1 v Ampthill 5 Hartpury1 v Nottingham 5 Chinnor 1v Bedford Blues 5 Coventry 0 v Ealing Trailfinders 5 Pirates 4 Doncaster 1 |
Posted By: fatbear
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2024 at 15:08
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Saturday Caldy 1-5 London Scottish Cambridge 1-5 Ampthill Hartpury 5-0 Nottingham Chinnor 1-5 Bedford Blues Coventry 0-5 Ealing Trailfinders Sunday Pirates 5-0 Knights
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Posted By: Donnyknightfan
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2024 at 16:28
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Caldy 4 - 1 London Scottish - Hopefully the proper rugby club send the bunch of mercenaries packing Cambridge 1 - 5 Ampthill - The absolute pasting they got last week might linger in the Cambridge system at the start of this one Hartpury 5 - 1 Nottingham - Both teams having great seasons, should be an entertaining game Chinnor 1 - 4 Bedford - Don’t see there being much in this game come the final whistle, could go either way Coventry 1 - 5 Ealing - Ealing are starting to purr - I think it’s a tall order for Coventry to win this one, even at home. Cov’s performances seem not to be what they were at the start of the season Cornish Pirates 2 - 5 Doncaster - Pirates are deservedly favourites for this but Donny have the players to beat anyone in this league if they put in a performance on the day. ------------- Donny Knights - best team in Yorkshire |
Posted By: greenpower
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2024 at 16:51
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caldy 1 5 scottish cambridge 1 5 ampthill hartpury 5 1 nottingham chinnor 1 4 bedford coventry 0 5 ealing pirates 5 1 doncaster
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Posted By: Nat1
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2024 at 18:10
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Caldy 0-5 London Scottish Cambridge 0-5 Ampthill Hartpury 5-1 Nottingham Chinnor 1-4 Bedford Blues Coventry 1-5 Ealing Trailfinders Sunday Pirates 4-1 Knights
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Posted By: Jezmar
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2024 at 05:48
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Previous selection amended to include the Pirates Doncaster game Caldy 1 v 4 London Scottish Cambridge 0 v 5 Ampthill Hartpury 5 v 1 Nottingham Chinnor 5 v 2 Bedford Blues Coventry 1 v 5 Ealing Trailfinders Pirates 5 v 0 Doncaster
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Posted By: KnightsBoy
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2024 at 12:36
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Pirates v Knights being streamed live 247.tv/champsrugby |
Posted By: Donnyknightfan
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2024 at 16:56
Nice one, will definitely be watching. ------------- Donny Knights - best team in Yorkshire |
Posted By: Trailfinder
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2024 at 17:29
A chastening defeat away to Pirates the week before a crunch match against your closest rivals cannot be ideal preparation. Especially compared with Ealing who had mild workout at home (no disrespect to Cambridge who had a tough day at the office but never gave up). Still I think Cov will be up for it, I’m sure they have been targeting this one. The return match in May will be a mouthwatering one, hopefully the league still up for grabs, with a big crowd in the sunshine ☀️ 🍻
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Posted By: castleparknight
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2024 at 06:56
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My guesses: Caldy 0 v 5 London Scottish Cambridge 1 v 5 Ampthill Hartpury 5 v 1 Nottingham Chinnor 1 v 5 Bedford Blues Coventry 1 v 5 Ealing Trailfinders Pirates 5 v 2 Doncaster (could go either way depending on who turns up, for either team) ------------- Onward and Upwards C'mon Donny! |
Posted By: Old Gold
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2024 at 11:05
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Caldy 1 - 5 London Scottish Cambridge 4 - 1 Ampthill Hartpury 5 - 0 Nottingham Chinnor 2 - 5 Bedford Coventry 1 - 4 Ealing Pirates 5 - 0 Knights
------------- #AClubForLife💛❤️🖤 |
Posted By: All the Way
Date Posted: 20 Dec 2024 at 12:08
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Caldy 1-4 London Scottish Cambridge 1-5 Ampthill Hartpury 5-0 Nottingham Chinnor 1-5 Bedford Blues Coventry 1-5 Ealing Trailfinders Pirates 5-0 Knights
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Posted By: The Blues
Date Posted: 20 Dec 2024 at 12:20
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Blues make 10 changes for Chinnor. For Blues, this is probably our best back row in the squad, probably would have Tuilagi starting and a back row reshuffle. I always feel the 2nd row is light when Frost plays. First starts at 9 & 10 for the Saints lads. We have our best back 3.
Bedford Blues starting XV: 15. Louis James, 14. Alfie Garside, 13. Michael Le Bourgeois (C), 12. Joel Matavesi, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. George Makepeace-Cubitt, 9. Jonny Weimann; 1. Joey Conway, 2. Tommy Herman, 3. Oisin Heffernan, 4. Luke Frost, 5. Alex Woolford, 6. Fyn Brown, 7. Joe Howard, 8. Cameron King Bedford Blues Replacements: 16. John Stewart, 17. Jamie Jack, 18. Beltus Nonleh, 19. Shay Kerry, 20. Fred Tuilagi, 21. James Lennon, 22. Will Maisey, 23. Matt Worley Unavailable for selection this week: James Fish, Rory Ward, Alex Day, Jamie Elliott, Pat Tapley |
Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 20 Dec 2024 at 13:37
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Posted By: fatbear
Date Posted: 20 Dec 2024 at 16:14
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Chinnor make 4 changes for tomorrow's game against Bedford. There is a first start for scrum-half Callum Pascoe whilst Connor Slevin returns at fly-half, and Morgan Passman is back in at centre. Just the one change in the pack as Robin Hardwick starts at tight-head prop. https://x.com/ChinnorRFCThame/status/1870077506126278683" rel="nofollow - https://x.com/ChinnorRFCThame/status/1870077506126278683
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Posted By: Geoff DC
Date Posted: 20 Dec 2024 at 16:52
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Pirates team to face Knights: 15 Will Trewin 14 Arthur Relton 13 Charlie McCaig 12 Harry Yates 11 Matt McNab 10 Bruce Houston 9 Dan Hisc#cks 1 Billy Young 2 Harry Hocking 3 Alfie Petch 4 Matt Cannon 5 Lewis Pearson 6 Martin Moloney 7 Will Gibson 8 Hugh Bokenham (captain). Replacements:
16 Sol Moody 17 Oisin Michel 18 Craig Williams 19 Josh King 20 Tomi Agbongbon 21 Cam Jones 22 Iwan Jenkins 23 Iwan Price-Thomas. |
Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 20 Dec 2024 at 17:17
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Caldy 4 - 1 London Scottish Cambridge 0 - 4 Ampthill Hartpury 5 - 0 Nottingham Chinnor 2 - 5 Bedford Coventry 2 - 5 Ealing Pirates 5 - 0 Knights
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Posted By: BigChief
Date Posted: 20 Dec 2024 at 17:50
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Saturday Caldy 1-5 London Scottish (hopefully dontknightsfans indigestion won't be too bad - looking forward to the rant already  )Cambridge 2-5 Ampthill Hartpury 5-1 Nottingham Chinnor 1-5 Bedford Blues Coventry 5-1 Ealing Trailfinders C Pirates 5-0 Doncaster Knights (C'mon Pirates) Good luck to all and a very Merry Christmas from somewhere very sunny !
------------- For the ordinary purposes of conversation, a superficial knowledge of many things goes further than an intimacy with one or two. |
Posted By: The Blues
Date Posted: 20 Dec 2024 at 21:38
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Coventry for the top of the table clash |
Posted By: fatbear
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2024 at 08:31
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A report on Chinnor's victory over Bedford for anyone interested I don't think the conditions suited Bedford and Chinnor's forwards were outstanding in the loose https://fatbearssportingdiaries.blogspot.com/2024/12/chinnor-18-5-bedford-blues-att-1848.html" rel="nofollow - https://fatbearssportingdiaries.blogspot.com/2024/12/chinnor-18-5-bedford-blues-att-1848.html
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Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2024 at 09:54
A great description of what sounded like a spirited affair.
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Posted By: MarkyMark
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2024 at 10:42
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I was more worried about the fans off the pitch not hurting themselves in the conditions as underfoot it was dangerous. In terms of the game it was as per the conditions. Anytime quick ball was gained (think it happened once) it was clear to see that Chinnor will struggle but on the day it’s fair to say they wanted it more. Their scrum was allowed all game to run round the corner and whilst it wasn’t penalised they kept doing it. Bedford making 10 changes including an 18 year old scrum half was not ideal especially on the ploughed field the game was played on. Bedford clearly didn’t fancy it, not their conditions and it was disappointing to see them play so badly. Constantly kicked the ball away with no one chasing them. Poor all round. Bring on the spring quickly
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Posted By: Bluesman11
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2024 at 10:43
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Chinnor fully deserved their win against Bedford and their forwards were dominant at the scrum and breakdown. However, the pitch was the worst pitch I have seen at this level in my 20+ years watching rugby. I know some of the Blues players said it was the worst pitch they had ever played on. If we want to be taken seriously as a league, we can’t put out pitches like that and think it’s OK. I don’t care about capacity and all those other unnecessary ground criteria requirements, but I do think championship clubs should be expected to produce surfaces fit for standard. As the poster above states, it was also dangerous underfoot in places for supporters. Conditions had not been poor enough to warrant the state the pitch was in and the Bedford pitch is still in great nick having experienced similar weather conditions so there is no excuse really. ------------- Championship Prediction League Winner 11/12 |
Posted By: KnightsBoy
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2024 at 10:47
Here here
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Posted By: Camquin
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2024 at 11:02
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Report on Cambridge v Ampthill https://x.com/camrufc/status/1870837832329068700" rel="nofollow - https://x.com/camrufc/status/1870837832329068700
------------- Sweeney Delenda Est |
Posted By: fatbear
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2024 at 12:52
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A bad weekend for Se7en with both Caldy and Cambridge winning ! |
Posted By: StewY
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2024 at 16:27
| Mmmm. Take me a picture of every surface in the Champ this weekend and tell me there was no similarity in conditions. You both just sound bitter moaners. |
Posted By: fatbear
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2024 at 17:17
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As well as the pitch, Chinnor really need to do something about their infamous breeze. We can't have these visiting fancy danns catching a cold ! |
Posted By: Bluesman11
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2024 at 17:18
Here’s a picture of Bedford’s surface as of today. As I said, this wasn’t a “bad” pitch. It was the worst surface I had ever seen and, according to a couple of players I spoke to, the worst they had ever played on. As I also said, Chinnor deserved their victory. https://www.instagram.com/p/DD7QPU2Kqnz/?igsh=MTR6MGVxYjQya2IzMQ==" rel="nofollow - https://www.instagram.com/p/DD7QPU2Kqnz/?igsh=MTR6MGVxYjQya2IzMQ== ------------- Championship Prediction League Winner 11/12 |
Posted By: fatbear
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2024 at 17:29
Sounds like you have no idea have bad Storm Darragh was in Thame during the Doncaster game, nor the subsequent bad weather here in the past two weeks. Perhaps the game should have been postponed, but no doubt some people would have complained about that as well. I always liked to think that one of the differences between rugby and football players was that rugby players would play in the mud ! Thame United's game was postponed when Chinnor vs Doncaster was played........... |
Posted By: Bluesman11
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2024 at 17:35
Did storm Darragh hit Thame disproportionately to the rest of the country? Bedford played Ealing at home during it. We are only an hour or so down the road so I assume weather conditions would’ve been similar but I don’t know what the exact weather has been like in Thame over the last couple of weeks relative to anywhere else granted. ------------- Championship Prediction League Winner 11/12 |
Posted By: fatbear
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2024 at 17:46
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The conditions for Chinnor vs Doncaster were the worst I have watched a game in, by some distance, no contest, not even close. How was it for Blues vs Ealing ?
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Posted By: Bluesman11
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2024 at 17:49
They were very bad, but I wouldn’t say some distance the worst we’ve ever had. ------------- Championship Prediction League Winner 11/12 |
Posted By: seagoon
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2024 at 19:16
   ------------- Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana |
Posted By: islander
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2024 at 21:16
| I feel compelled to nominate 2 Jersey visits to the Mennaye in the late ‘teenies’ for ‘worst-ever’ conditions. Both were away wins (7-8 & 5-7) - the Pirates may have won a game in similar conditions, but if so I have air/brushed that from my memory… |
Posted By: kempstonblue
Date Posted: 24 Dec 2024 at 21:33
Bedford is in a valley. Not noticed all the hills? Often said, if we get 6 inches of snow the rest of the country is stuffed. ------------- The older I get, the more the RFU leave me confused. |
Posted By: The Blues
Date Posted: 26 Dec 2024 at 14:24
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I don’t know what was worse, the Chinnor pitch was awful and a strong argument why there needs to be minimum standards. It was close to dangerous for scrumming etc. However, Rayer picked the wrong half backs as the Saints boys were out of their depth. Also the inept tactics by Blues just going one pass out to walk in the mud to be met by the Caldy pack, it was crying out to get the ball wider, when we did we scored and almost scored.
We still had opportunities to score but didn’t have the composure to get over the line. Blues will be looking forward to returning to some grass. |
Posted By: Camquin
Date Posted: 26 Dec 2024 at 14:47
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As fas as I am aware, none of the minimum standards apply to the pitch. Possibly because few Premiership sides actually have a legal pitch - now that the laws have minimum sizes. ------------- Sweeney Delenda Est |
Posted By: fatbear
Date Posted: 26 Dec 2024 at 15:14
Hard on the Blues to also have to get past the Caldy pack !
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Posted By: fatbear
Date Posted: 26 Dec 2024 at 15:15
The Chinnor vs Ampthill match in January is being marketed as The Farmers' Derby. Presumably both sides will have their tractors ploughing the pitch before kick-off........
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Posted By: The Blues
Date Posted: 26 Dec 2024 at 15:47
They could have been anyone, couldn’t tell from the shirts!
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Posted By: Se7en
Date Posted: 26 Dec 2024 at 15:49
Good job Bedford Blues are a full-time professional side then....but oh wait, they aren't, despite what certain sporting diaries might purport.
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Posted By: Se7en
Date Posted: 26 Dec 2024 at 15:56
A pitch that will no doubt resemble a quagmire, tractors or not. Fitting that you mention farm equipment, as I have seen footage of the visiting Blues players literally walking through what looks like a farmyard, presumably this was their route from the coach to the changing rooms! If the 2nd tier in England is to be treated more seriously and attract the investment that it needs to become more professional and survive, then these village REC-quality grounds/pitches need to fast become a thing of the past. Regardless of the size/dimensions, there has to be some minimum standard to the playing surface itself. From the photos and reports, I've seen better pitches in the Counties leagues of Level 7. Surely it would have been wiser to invest in an acceptable playing pitch/drainage infrastructure (seeing as that is what the matches are played on) first, before erecting further seating and a monstrously large scaffolding frame/gantry.
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Posted By: Camquin
Date Posted: 26 Dec 2024 at 17:19
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Ampthill did invest in two better pitches, that is why you walk up the hill. The ones down by the clubhouse are mud baths. The ones up the hill drain, so are usually quite playable. And they have slowly improved the facilities up there. But it is a long walk from the clubhouse. It is a catch 22, clubs in National 1 or below rarely get crowds of over 500 so have no need of many facilities, and have little income to improve them. And given limited spare cash, it will be spent on those things that are measured. ------------- Sweeney Delenda Est |
Posted By: Jezmar
Date Posted: 26 Dec 2024 at 17:34
https://x.com/bedfordbluesrfc/status/1870455278891925590?s=46&t=d5LMNp1HOHj4rjGTlq9pbQ" rel="nofollow - https://x.com/bedfordbluesrfc/status/1870455278891925590?s=46&t=d5LMNp1HOHj4rjGTlq9pbQ Presumably you mean this footage of the Blues players arriving at the Chinnor game. Proper farmyard that eh….. |
Posted By: StewY
Date Posted: 26 Dec 2024 at 18:30
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This could end up being a useful debate. Pitch minimum standards should be important and measured. But the quirks should be embraced. The walk to the Ampthill pitch is a bit odd but we all remember it. The Mennaye is wet. Nottingham is sandy. Chinnor IS open to the weather. But we all play the same conditions. We have enjoyed our time in the champ. And as a successful club with no debt we will continue to invest our cash in infrastructure development. I’m not really going to bother with grumpy people trying to pretend they are superior. We are here to compete. Join us.
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Posted By: fatbear
Date Posted: 26 Dec 2024 at 20:11
Thank you, the report has been corrected ! Out of curiosity, who are the full-time teams in the Championship ?
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Posted By: Se7en
Date Posted: 26 Dec 2024 at 20:14
Ealing Cov Pirates Donny
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Posted By: fatbear
Date Posted: 26 Dec 2024 at 20:32
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Out of curiosity, who are the full-time teams in the Championship ? [/QUOTE]
Ealing Cov Pirates Donny [/QUOTE] Thanks, I thought it was more than that as I remember when Richmond were promoted a few years ago they got a lot of praise on here for being the only part-time team and staying up ? I guess the reduction in RFU funding and the financial impact of Covid changed things ? Can we also count Ampthill when they field their 11 Saracens and London Scottish with all their Harlequins ?!!! |
Posted By: The Blues
Date Posted: 26 Dec 2024 at 20:46
Ealing Cov Pirates Donny [/QUOTE] Thanks, I thought it was more than that as I remember when Richmond were promoted a few years ago they got a lot of praise on here for being the only part-time team and staying up ? I guess the reduction in RFU funding and the financial impact of Covid changed things ? Can we also count Ampthill when they field their 11 Saracens and London Scottish with all their Harlequins ?!!! There were more full time teams when the funding was higher and Jersey. Blues have operated as Semi-Professional for a long time, training 3 times a week.
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Posted By: Paul10
Date Posted: 27 Dec 2024 at 08:33
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Out of curiosity, who are the full-time teams in the Championship ? [/QUOTE]
Ealing Cov Pirates Donny [/QUOTE]
Just checking but are Pirates really full time Pro? I thought their backer was shutting his purse.
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Posted By: cheshire exile
Date Posted: 27 Dec 2024 at 08:46
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Full time currently. Next season remains to be seen.
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Posted By: Paul10
Date Posted: 27 Dec 2024 at 09:14
| Thanks |
Posted By: The Blues
Date Posted: 27 Dec 2024 at 19:29
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The other thing that we thought with the ground at Chinnor was that the floodlights needed an upgrade. I know there is minimum criteria and presumably they meet those but it was very gloomy and the game would have benefitted from an earlier kick off by 30 - 60 mins. I know it is first season etc. so they will have many different plans and you can’t do everything at once.
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