Can't comment fully as I only saw snippets but looked as if London defeated the eagles pretty comfortably . If the best team in our division lose decisively against probably the worst team in super league what chance is there if the rfl go with the preferred option of 12 teams then split into 3 eights for the new league format . Unless funding is worked out beforehand and on an equal basis have teams like fax , eagles etc got any chance of reaching super league . I know this topic has been broached on other posts so sorry to go on again about it . I really thought the eagles were going to get mighty close last night - I even had a few quid with a friend on them winning . Anybody see much of it and if so , was there big difference or did the score line flatter London

Whilst I definitely agree with your general sentiment about funding, anyone who saw the London-Featherstone game would disagree about the gulf in class bit. Fev outplayed London for a lot of the game despite being away from home, the score was 0-4 to Rovers after 50 mins and 8-8 with 15 minutes to go before the full-time-training fitness of London (plus the individual brilliance of Kieran Dixon & Luke Dorn) saw the Broncos home. It's worth remembering Rovers beat Castleford last year and led Wigan until almost half-time; I don't think Sheffield were at their best last night but the better Championship teams could certainly compete with the lesser SL teams, especially allowed more funding/bigger salary cap and/or full-time training.

There's no doubt that London fully deserved their victory but Sheffield were definitely not on song. That scenario, combined with some fairly contentious refereeing decisions and dubious video calls, showed that there would probably be not too much difference between the sides - Jamie Soward aside.
If the funding issue is sorted out in a fair and responsible manner, straight forward promotion and relegation has got to be the way forward. Keep it simple otherwise we will dig ourselves even deeper into the RFL created hole!

The challenge cup just underlines what a joke RL has become.

The SL clubs play to their salary cap and quota rules, and the championship to theirs! Championship 1 clubs have no chance against championship clubs cos their salary cap is different. Then you have dual reg players not able to play so they aren't cup tied.

There isno romance there anymore. Lets not get started on SL entry by shoddily and biasly applied criteria. What a mess it is now

Gulf is probably overstating it but there is a significant difference.

Anyone still up for the "three eights"?

Eagles matched London for long periods and were largely let down by a few unforced errors with Hirst in particular having a nightmare which gave the Broncos more easy field position than they would have liked.

London got every 50 - 50 call and every other call as well.

I'm sure the Eagles camp would have loved to progress but will now focuss on the NRC and the rest of the league campaign and play off's.

Behind the scenes their structure and new ground looks like it could be a real winner, say what you like about MA but he is one shrewed cooky and knows how to play rugby league with and without the ball as good as anyone.

The occasion got to Sheffield big time last night, they made so many soft errors that they had virtually no ball in London's third, yet every time they got there they looked very threatening. The gulf in class was only in the fitness of the two sides IMO.

Only way 3/8ths will work is if there's some kind of funding parity. That's not going to happen because clubs will not share the loot. It has to be bog standard P&R with parachute payments. It will be hard for the promoted team but that's the challenge isn't it? Don't know why people have a problem with a team coming up and going straight back down. That sport you daft Jessie's! And if a club overspends and goes bust ? Tough. More fool them and you reap what you sow. It's a competition both on and off the field - deal with it and stop being so precious. The game will be around long after these dumbass Chairmen have gone.

Sheffield would have struggled against every team in this division the way they played last night.They are farbetter than they showed but its not easy to get on a roll with some of the decisions they got.

Spot on Rich.

Absolutely spot on
RIP (rest in pieces) licensing

Think this post should have been shelved until after tonight's game?

Indeed. We could be Widnes. We could be taking our shirts off and swirling them around our head after getting mullered, There's always someone worse off.