This weekend's games have been the most exciting I think I have ever seen at this stage. Both of the live games have restored my faith in the Challenge Cup and we should acknowledge the role that Super League and its competitiveness has played in that.

I went to the Gateshead vs. St Helens game on Saturday night (as a neutral) and thought the standard of Gateshead was abysmal. It was boys against men. It really demonstrated the difference between Superleague and the Championship. There was a reasonable crowd though (over 4000) but a lot of neutral shirts there. I was a bit miffed at the level of entertainment I got for my £15 too, Gateshead just weren't at the races. I won't be rushing out and buying tickets for their next match anyway.

The challenge cup needs some freshening up in the earlier rounds.



Its still a great comp in the later stages.



1 The magic idea for the last 16 was floated by a few as an alternative to the current magic format. I think its a great idea.



It would give magic a competitive edge, give the lower league clubs a realistic venue to aspire to getting to, give all SL clubs 1 week off and (if my variation was used) the top eight a bye into the last 16 giving them 2 weeks off as a balance to playing in the previous years finals.



The fixtures can be drawn with the eight finalists as soon as the previous seasons league finishes with 8 qualifier balls which is when the magic weekend has been drawn in the past.



Also imagine if we could get magic on the beeb even if we got 2 live games+ (hopefully 4) and the rest on red button.



2 Why not let the sl academy sides enter the cup perhaps from the first round , only proviso they cant meet their senior side and senior players cant step down.



3 Tighten up the scheduling of the comp in the latter rounds - 2 months till the semis? Play the final before the FA charity shield.

Sky tell the masses what is important, it's the same in footy as it is in RL.



Sky don't have exclusive rights for the CC or FA Cup, no coincidence that these comps are played down significantly by Sky, while the Super League and Premiership are hoisted up as being the be all and end all.



Sadly, far too many viewers buy into this and it becomes a self fulfilling prophecy.



I grew up watching RL in the 80s, when the trip to Wembley was something to be revered.



For me, it still is. This year I'll hopefully be at my 4th CC Final on the trot as a Saints fan, and it still feels magical making the journey to the final, I still get sleepless nights for a week before the game and I still get overwhelmed hearing Abide With Me.



Love it.

Think they may play a bit better against teams from there own division, as opposed to the best team in the country.

Madness, absolute bloody madness...