Listening to the after match verbals Phil Clarke was very impressed with Salford's never give up attitude and that attitude could see them make the grand final

I'm a bit disappointed that we aren't playing Salford as it would have given us the opportunity of restoring some local pride (I'm not sure a victory in the run of 6 games could be considered full 'bragging rights').

I have had a quick visit on their 'Royston Vasey' website and some of the posts are RedVee-esque in their myopia. Complaining about their fixture schedule, but then complaining that it should have been switched, complaining that we could potentially get 4 points in one evening despite the fact that we haven't called the game and are willing to play someone else to fulfill a TV schedule commitment. For others it's apparently an RFL/SL conspiracy to get the Play Offs sorted with their favourites, Saints, Wigan, Leeds and us.

Whilst I do sympathise with Salford's plight to some degree, or did, but without sounding bitter, there's a bit of a niggle that they have to some extent in the last couple of years particularly 'got away with it'.

Yes Watson is a decent coach that continues to get the best out of his squad, but sooner or later the thinness of that squad will bite you and it would appear that that time is now.

I get the player welfare argument but surely that is what a squad is all about, the ability to rotate and rest players? Wakefield are a prime example of a low budget operation (no disrespect) yet I think that they run Academy and Reserve sides. If the kids have to step up now and again, any defeat (ironically like ours at Salford recently) can be put down as a positive 'close game/good experience/decent prospect game time'.

I'm not clear why some think that they are victims and in addition that somehow it's our fault that we benefit, it's not our decision and I'm not convinced that rest is necessarily a good thing.

Interesting point in the WG, will the bans for Lineham / Sita be counted for the Salford game? Had it not been for them pulling out they would have served the suspension, so shouldn't the game be counted as one of their matches?

In the rules it says Abandoned and Postponed games aren't counted. When they wrote the rules they wouldn't have thought a professional match would be forfeited.

I would presume that it's not counted though.

Which rules? Superleague rules?

But the match was forfeit which is different to being abandoned or postponed. In the case of the latter no points are awarded and the game may be replayed at a later date. In the case of a forfeit it is as though the game took place so I believe that the default situation is that it would count towards suspensions.

This is an interesting one. You could make an argument for either decision, but I fancy the odds are slightly in favour of it counting as one of Lineham's suspension games.I would say that on the basis he would have reasonably been expected to play in the game, but was prevented from doing so by it being forfeit. That's different from a postponed match where he would have played in the rearranged fixture.

Does that sound gobbledygook ? probably, but I doubt we will get anything much better from the RFL. They will probably decide Wire have had the benefit of the points already so will even it up a bit by not counting it as a suspension game.

Quote: Alffi_7 "Which rules? Superleague rules?'" RFL Operational Rules, 596 pages if you are ever struggling to sleep. https://www.rugby-league.com/flipbooks/ ... x.html#p=1

Quote: Alffi_7 "Which rules? Superleague rules?'" RFL Operational Rules, 596 pages if you are ever struggling to sleep. https://www.rugby-league.com/flipbooks/ ... x.html#p=1

Has the ‘win’ we’ve been awarded been credited to the current super league table on the website? Doesn’t seem so?

No, they have updated the table after tonight's games, but we haven't been awarded our 'win' yet, for some reason.

If they award the points then it is treated as though the game has been played, should count towards any ban but I’m in 2 minds about it. I would like Lineham to be available for selection, but lovely bloke that Sita appears to be I can’t say I’m desperate to have him back.

No you are correct. That means there is probably an argument going on back stage between the RFL and some SL chairmen no doubt.


Uncle Gary:. < spitting feathers> You can't award them a win, the game should have been cancelled !

RFL: But the game was called off by Salford because they couldn't raise a team !

Uncle Gary: There was a very good reason for cancelling it though.

RFL: Such as ?

Uncle Gary: Leeds will be out of the top four playoffs !

RFL: Oh don't worry about that, you can always change the rules to a top 6 playoff. Actually scratch that, with your form at the moment perhaps top 7 might be better.

Points awarded

rlhttps://www.superleague.co.uk/match-centrerl

if points are awarded, and its in the table, that game should count towards the bans

That would be the sensible decision, if Salford had not of forfeit Lineham / Sita would have had served a ban during that game. We shouldn't be punished for Salford being unable to fulfil the fixture.