hi all Blackpool Stanley are looking for a game on the 30th july as Burnley have cancelled on use you can email me on conrad.pitman@sky.com cheers

hi all Blackpool Stanley are looking for a game on the 30th july as Burnley have cancelled on use you can email me on conrad.pitman@sky.com cheers

Wigan Riversiders Eels 46 - 4 Bridge Bar Bandits

(I'm guessing) Bury 14ish - 48ish Wigan Riversiders

A very different looking 'Eels' turned up at a tropical Bury and it showed early on. With the RLC Premier being a dead duck it was no surprise when a lot of new faces turned out. Still, we started very poorly and conceded 3 tries in 10 minutes but then switched on and probably had the better of the game for the second 20 mins of the first half and early in the second half, only to collapse for the last 20. A shocking referee didn't help but that's no excuse - we were defensively shocking for spells and let them run riot, and Riversiders were the better side overall.

To be honest I hate having a squad of 20. Wigan had 24 today, we had 21 - but that means you can only have your first choice 13-15 out there in short spells and with a development squad that really showed; our performance dipped during those periods our first teamers were off the park.

Never mind. It's been a development summer, we've got a lot of brand new lads from Union and football and they're coming on slowly - things will strengthen as they get to grips with things and that inexperience will be ironed out. Time for a bath and out with the boys for plenty of much-needed ale.

12-64
No 1st teamers in starting 13 either and the 3 who did play only played for 15 minutes or so off the bench

That was noticably a very different line-up from the game at your place.

I'm not making excuses or saying it's anything out of order - every team plays the best players you can field. Whether they're Eels, Riversiders, or indeed Judes, Pats, Cuthberts, Ince, whatever, they're still playing a far higher level than nearly all the lads we fielded today. Hopefully our rookies will take something out of today and this summer season and build on the experience.

Enjoy your do tonight.

We are happy to scan and post the team sheets on this forum from both games to show the teams were almost identical!

I would concentrate on taking positives from your guys first half display, after going 16-0 down your lads dug in deep and fought back to make half time 16-12. Showed some great grit and determination. We were simply the fitter team and run away with the game in the second half. I couldn't understand why you guys started to warm up an hour prior to kick off in yesterdays heat!

Bamber Bridge 22-32 Ashton Bears B.
Ashtons youngsters put in a spirited display to earn a win against a much bigger & physical Brig side. Trailing 16-0 after 15 mins it looked like a 100% winning record was going to slip away but the six under 17's in the Ashton side dug in defensively and steadied the game. Some great ballwork soon reaped their rewards and the 1st half ended 16-16. An early try in the 2nd half saw the Bears take the lead only for Brigs impressive half backs to carve out an opening to draw level again. Brig battered Ashtons defence but they held firm and once they had the ball a series of well executed moves had Brig on the back foot, the inevitable gaps opened up and Ashtons pacey backs did the rest. A great game played out by two committed sides.

If you say so.

We didn't have much choice pre-match. Some tool had locked our changing rooms so we put shorts & socks on in your changing rooms and cleared out to give you the room to yourselves. Alan Hunte is one of those with a key - we rang him but he was at Headingley coaching Salford's under-20s against Leeds. Sitting around outside for 90 minutes in that heat was certainly not the ideal preparation. We actually didn't start warming up until gone 2.00 then went back inside for 5 minutes just to cool off. As you will know, it was too hot to be doing much prior to kick-off.

As I said, I'm not complaining and there is indeed a lot to build on - we were bitterly disappointed with our performance but there were definitely positives. You were the better team, but that's to be expected when 20+ from Wigan turn up against a team with a load of rookies. 7 of that squad are new this summer, of which only 2 have played league before.

anyone out there know the make up of the play offs? and when they start?

All fixtures confirmed from the league admin, to be played this weekend 6th/7th August:

RLC Premier Play off fixture:-

Liverpool Buccaneers vs Wigan Riversiders

RLC Regional playoff fixture:-

Cadishead Rhinos vs Blackpool Sea Eagles
Rochdale Cobras vs Chorley Panthers

RLC Merit playoff fixture:-

Wigan Riversiders Eels vs Salford Central

Blackpool Stanley vs Bamber Bridge