Thought I would open the debate for the season with the proposed league structure being disclosed.
From our perspective, NWML4 is probably where we are right now. We overachieved last season and have lost some of our more seasoned guys to retirement. Orrell and Wigan Bulldogs have moved to Div 3, and Mancunians and Hindley have moved to Div 5, with Eccleston Lions entering Div 4 with a competitive side again. Really enjoyed the league last season, Orrell are probably a bit stronger than Div3, but certainly Bury and Ashton will be looking at the upper end of the table this season.
I have read on twitter some sides are unhappy with their provisional placings, including one team who won their league but haven't been promoted!
Joined: Aug 14 2002 Posts: 1244 Location: Keeping the devil way down in the hole.
Not sure about Chester entering the Conference South because they struggled for numbers a bit towards the end of the season when the ru clubs started their season so I can't see them having a reserve side either.
We (Ashton) enjoyed last season and are looking forward to this one, NWML 4 will be another close league again. From what I hear Wigan Bulldogs have some new lads from Wigan St Cuthberts so I think they'll go well in div 3. It'll be interesting to see how OSJ go in div 3 which looks fairly evenly matched too.
"Why, oh why people bring dogs to Rugby League games I'll never know".
Joined: Oct 20 2004 Posts: 5766 Location: Coventry
Think Chester in the Conference League South with be a Crusaders reserve team farmed out to Chester and then their NWML team will be roughly last year's team
I think we (Eccleston Lions) are much more sorted to Division 4, than Division 2 where we were last year. We lost 14 players from being promoted from Division 3 and found it really hard going, taking some real hidings. Looking forward to a competitive league this year. Where on Twitter are all the Leagues/discussions?
Joined: Oct 20 2004 Posts: 5766 Location: Coventry
the only ones I've found are: Premier: Halton Simms Cross, Widnes St Maries Vikings, Halton Farnworth Hornets, Clock Face Miners, Haresfinch, Haydock, Ashton Bears, Shevington, Bank Quay, Ulverston Division 4: Widnes Tigers, Bury Broncos, Ashton Bears A, Chester Gladiators (A?), New Springs, Westhoughton Lions, Bolton Mets, Fitton Hill, Little Hulton Reds, Eccleston Lions
Looks like they've gone for 10 team divisions (but not seen every division), also heard Widnes West Bank are put in division 1, Rylands Sharks are fast tracked to division 2 and Hindpool are unhappy at being denied promotion
Here's the full list sent to clubs and your right Hindpool aren't happy. We earned that promotion fair and square and deserve a crack at division 1. We could potentially lose players if we don't go up but I expect these leagues will change a bit before March.
Premier Ashton Bears Bank Quay Bulls Clock Face Miners Halton Farnworth Hornets Halton Simms Cross Haydock Shevington Sharks Ulverston Widnes st maries vikings Haresfinch
Division 1 Bamber Bridge Bold Miners Chorley Panthers Folly Lane Heysham Atoms Leigh East A Thatto Heath Crusaders A West Bank Bears Wigan Spring View Wigan St Judes A
Division 2 Rylands Culcheth Eagles Hindpool Tigers Latchford Albion Leigh Miners Rangers A Irlam Hornets Portico Vine St Helens Wild Boars Wigan St Patricks A Woolston Rovers A
Division 3 Pilkington Recs A Oldham St Annes A Blackbrook A Widnes West Bank A Rochdale Mayfield A Burtonwood Bridge Accrington Panthers Orrell St James Wigan Bulldogs Langworthy Reds
Division 4 Widnes Tigers Bury Broncos Ashton Bears A Little Hulton Reds Fitton Hill Bolton Mets Chester Gladiators New Springs Lions Westhoughton Lions Ecceston Lions
Division 5 Cadishead Rhinos Saddleworth Rangers A Mancunians Leyland Warriors Crosfields A Rylands Sharks A Blackpool Scorpions Rochdale Cobras Bury Broncos A Widnes St Maries Vikings A
Entry Blackpool Sea Eagles Blackpool Stanley Burnley & Pendle East Manchester Rangers Eccles Folly Lane A Garswood stags Hindley A Ince Rose Bridge A Latchford Albion A Liverpool City RL Liverpool Lions Newton Storm Waterhead A West Craven Warriors Wigan St Cuthberts Wittworth spartons
Joined: Oct 20 2004 Posts: 5766 Location: Coventry
Out of interest what are the league rules on promotion? Looks like Wigan Bulldogs were the only team promoted that weren't champions of their division and noone was promoted from division 3
Ulverston also went up to the Premier after finishing 2nd. I know they won the grand final but it was said at the start of the season that the play off were an added extra. Most people are/were under the impression it's 2 up 2 down. I understand that West Bank are too good to start from division 5 but its not right that we should be punished. We play all our games whereas other teams seem to pick and choose and they are no worse thought of.
Joined: Mar 26 2003 Posts: 4069 Location: Bury Broncos
The problem here is that last years Div 3 was such a false division. It was created as an A Team Division and so first team sides that might have been in or around a standard Div 3 level were pushed upwards or downwards. Suddenly however were treating Div 3 like it was a normal division...
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