Just thought I would try this thread again and see if it takes off.
Double header at Park today, One of those funny games first where everyone seems to wear different coloured shorts and play with different tackling rules. (No not bad refereeing, that's the rules)
First up, Park v Siddal, John Lawless, playing for Sidall, he was wearing white shorts which meant he could smash anyone (a bit like old times). One of my son's also wore white shorts and was also able to smash anyone (apart from Lawless, it would seem ).
Siddal win.
Next up Park v Irish.
Blimey, as I have said on many occasions, RL is a very hard game at any level and today was no exception.
Another old pro playing (no not the wife before you start ) Andy Brocklehurst, for Irish.
A narrow win for Irish but not without a fight. One of Park players might still be in casualty, Browney, never thought a blow to the head would trouble you.
After, back to Parks magnificent headquarters for a weekend of festivities, drinks a BBQ and quite a lot of intrepid folk are camping out over night.
(you will have gathered that I am not intrepid and am currently excitingly awaiting the Xfactor)
Had a very nice chat with Andy Brocklehurst after the game, a thoroughly nice bloke and still a very good player.

p.s nothing changes, despite, in the second game Park v Irish the players knocking 7 bells out of each other and apart from one minor altercation playing in an excellent spirit, the referee was still,
A useless bstard'
A cheat'
F'cn useless,
etc.

To put it in to perspective one bloke said "worse referee this year" for fk sake, it's the first game. As the old saying goes, "things can only get better"
Best wishes to all local clubs this year, if you get chance go and watch a game, watch a great sport, played by sportsmen, and watched by some great characters, and some DK heads, but hey, live and let live.

It sounds like it was a "masters" match that you were watching before the Irish v ex-Irish match, I think there's still some bad blood in there by the sound of things, my youngest lad had been to watch and was telling me about it at teatime yesterday.
I've spent most of the summer watching Greetland All-Rounders playing in this new "summer rugby" thing. It's been good to see my old club attracting some new players but I really do wonder what the organisers are thinking of with their slipshod rules, one of them being that literally anyone can appear to just turn up & put a kit on. For example, Swinton's current assistant coach Marlon Billy turned out for Slawit last saturday ( I've no doubt he usually plays for them BTW ) and scored 3 or 4 tries, now to me that's not really what playing lower end of the amateur game is all about. Other sides could have taken offence to such a talented player & changed the whole spirit of the game and prevented him from being so effective if you know what I mean !! My point being that whoever won this particular fixture would win the division, the player in question was clearly the difference in a 40-20 scoreline.
What I hope for is that all the local teams who regularly play winter rugby don't end up struggling for lads after some of theirs have gone walkabout during the summer to seek out a game 'cos their own club haven't been rail-roaded into joining the summer RL bandwagon. I understand all three of our district's conference clubs have had players pack in due to cricket or other interests and are struggling for lads.
For clubs such as Greetland with their own land & facilities it could prove to be a winner but for clubs such as Halifax Irish ( only an obvious example Leon ) who rent council facilities that may not be available during summer months it might well be disastrous.
The RFL have been hell bent on moving everything to summer for years now so that they can gain total control over BARLA, if they can't see what's happened to the game at the highest level in this country god help us. I know lots of lads who've said they'll go to RU or simply pack in playing if the winter programme is scrapped entirely, only time will tell I suppose.

Agree Colin, its going to be the end of the old "pub teams" which to be honest can't be a bad thing, there will be casualities but it will take time. Although talking to people at conference clubs all has not been rosey with the summer switch and the standard has dropped, but like you say time will tell.

Pennine league fixtures commence next weekend for those who aren't going to the Norland scarecrow festival here's where you can find a game to watch: www.pennineleague.co.uk

Pennine league fixtures commence next weekend for those who aren't going to the Norland scarecrow festival here's where you can find a game to watch: www.pennineleague.co.uk

Junior rugby also starts next week after the Summer !!! break so why not go along to your local club and watch the Stars of the Future .
I`ll Be Watching my Son play for Shaw Cross Sharks U14`s v Fev Lions. I know its not local as were from Helland but its a long story.

Your right there He does enjoy his rugby he still looks forward to training never mind Game day, which i never did.

It looks like i'll have to find something else to do this saturday afternoon because the Stainland Stags have pulled their first two league fixtures and weekend 3 is the Yorkshire cup opening round so they have about a month to get a team together according to one of the Stags lads who I work with. Usually amateur sides are likely to suffer player shortages due to the cricket season cross-over but even the cricket isn't guaranteed any play with the rubbish weathers we have.

Same here just found out tonight sons game off can`t raise a TEAM some lads still on HOLS how incosiderate they could have gone in the last 5 weeks oh Well still got the Fax on sunday, think it should be a good game. Come on FAX.

I wonder how many matches run the risk of been cancelled for waterlogged pitches on the opening weekend ? Most certainly those high at risk are the ones on council owned pitches.

The Pitches were fine at Shaw X on wed evening all games still on for the Weekend.

Can I suggest, KCP 1st this aft at 2.30 on the moor, followed by KCP under 8's at Spring Hall tomorrow 10.00 and then a quick dash up to the moor for KCP under 15's?
A veritable feast of Rugby.
Wherever you go enjoy your weekend Rugby everyone.