That's an interesting analogy. I've been to a few clubs where people who, with a passive interest, have dropped out because it's too focused on winning rather than the social side. But how do we accommodate for this? Is there a social league? Is there a modified version of the game that allows for a bit if a doss about?

There's masters rugby for the oldies.

I hope you're not suggesting that that method would solve all of our problems?

yeah, i was brought up in wigan and when i turned 17 and left i was shocked big time at the people down south who had played union at school or in some small capacity for a local club. They all ways have stories about the nights out they used to have with 'boys from rugby' and majority of the time they wouldn't be able tell you less famous players names unlike people on here who could probably name every teams first 17. And its the exact same for the casuals in pubs in dubai they don't play for the local club but they love going to the pub to watch England and sing swing low also the rugby 7's is filled with people who couldn't tell you the rules.

Don't be such a berk. Neither side played well last night but you write off their entire quality on one performance? Why not look again at last year's GF and make an equally over-the-top analysis that these two teams are the finest ever to grace a rugby league pitch?

Knock-on-a-thon

No, of course not, because it wasn’t.

It was an exiting game where right up to the last minute I couldn’t call a winner. I thought Leeds put in a mighty effort considering the number of key players that were sat in the stand.

Their youthful team seemed to be a good leveller, a bit like when the Aussies come over for the WCC.

My original point was due to the number of superlatives thrown in by Eddie in the first half, just because he claims it was a classic doesn’t make it one. With the number of errors in the first half even a newbie would have been unimpressed.

I’m just looking forwards to actually watching a classic game, just to see which word Eddie can come up with, now the bar has been set so high.

High on excitement low on quality.

Sure someone said on here that a low quality RL game is still more exciting than high quality RU game, the game was nerve shredding and exciting for me.

Tbf, what do lads play in schools south of Sheffield ?
Is it a mix of football and Union, or do they just stick to the round ball game, if the majority do try union, even for a short while, then its a valid point and he would be correct in saying that we need more schools playing league.
Back on topic, the modern journo's and commentators always over-hype stuff, when they would be better placed saving themselves for the real thing.
Overselling something makes people walk away !

Games against the top teams will always be referred to as classic unless they are REALLY dire. The reason........if you dont get great contests between the best team SKY's whole marketing campaign is screwed!

No such thing.

Yes, lots of spilled ball but as has been pointed out, hottest day of the year so far must have something to do it.

Even without my primrose-tinted specs on, I thought it was a really good match, and a cheeky, undeserved win for Wire. Some great defence, some awful defence at times, some great individual efforts (Ryan Hall and Mickey Higham in particular). I wish Ratchford had had a better game, but we all have off days.

Not a classic- the Wigan Wire game the other week fits that bill, this does not, but a good close game like that made for good viewing on a Friday night.

It wasn't a good match.

The excitement was there because both sides were well below par and couldn't score against poor defence

That said I'd rather the sky teams talked up the game than gripe about it like they did the week before...