RU in Wales is similar to RL in England right now in that the smaller clubs with proud tradition are slowly being killed off by being in an irrelevant competition with no prospect of being at the top of their ladder again. But Wales joining the Pro12 had to be done, because attendances in the Welsh league were sinking and the national team was struggling more and more . However now it's resulting in a massive player drain because fans of the valleys teams just haven't jumped ship to the regions in the numbers expected..

but at the end of the day, come on, Scorpions are our biggest league club in South Wales and you're comparing it to an ailing Neath RU club which is effectively a feeder team for Ospreys (average 10,000 though with reduced season tickets this year) is ridiculous. We are not even on the same wavelength in Wales, so comparison is pointless. Hopefully the Scorpions can continue to grow at their own pace and RU can do their thing..

I have watched all the C1 Hemel Stags home games this season (save last weekends one) and have been thrilled by all their performances. A great advertisement for the game and a team that have never given up when behind. 3 wins from 3 in the league and well done to them. Off to watch Letchworth, a newly formed amateur side here in Herts, on Friday evening. Just love the interest in the home counties and hope it continues.

Have the games been advertised at all? I am hoping to get down at some point, I understand Hemel has been going for some time, which I suppose helps.

This is the closest I have ever been to reporting a poster for abuse

I didn't turn anything into a negative. I simply suggested that mentioning Union in a "belittling" way ("00" attendances) did RL no favours.

By the way. Neath RFC 2013 are not Neath RFC 1871-1995.....not by any stretch of the imagination.

Have to say that Hemel looked pretty useful when they played Wakey in the cup. The result was one-sided which you would expect; nevertheless they gave us a decent game until they ran out of steam.

They've been going since the 80's I think. The ridiculous pre 1995 RU rule banning anyone playing RL from ever playing RU again scuppered the club for years. Very glad they got into C1 and assume the club advertise locally. I'm a 35 mile drive away and it's good to see some duel-reg Broncos players playing there occasionally. It was interesting to see how 'unhappy' ex-Bronco Omari Caro (now Hull KR) was when he played for Gateshead Thunder against the Stags 3 weeks ago, losing by that drop goal.

They have a twitter feed @HemelStagsRL which gives info and they also have a website which is kept up to date.

Batley v Swinton (Championship) - ATT: 583
Hemel v Oldham (Championship 1) - ATT: 679

Expansion sucks!

679 is a cracking crowd for a first season game.

Really chuft for them.

Well done Hemel

A fair few Herts based ex Broncos fans in attendance.....I know a fair few who haven't bothered with London this year but have instead started following the Stags.

Yup, my uncle is time keeper there. He went to Broncos V Fev & said he'd much rather be at a Hemel game...

wow...they are all in SL/Championship !