It is to be hoped that the NE RL Conference, within a decade or so, can produce senior teams of a comparable standard to Miners, Easts, Hunslet Parkside, Egremont, and all the other senior BARLA clubs that feed into the pro clubs in the heartlands. Until that long-term progamme comes to fruition, Gateshead 'deserve' their dispensation precisely to ensure the competition is fair.

What have these clubs got to do with the RFL? These are BARLA clubs not pro/semi-pro RFL clubs...I don't understand what you mean.

But there's funding from the RFL for development in the Wigan and Leigh service area, too. Some of this is based at LSV (eg the new League for All officer, Phil Roberts, who's a top fella and one of the leading lights behind the England Wheelchair Rugby World Champs). That'll count towards our development (or at least, to the same degree that the NE RFL team's work is).

All in all, the heartlands get far more money and support from the RFL than development areas, simply because there's so much more there to support.

You honestly believe that

Not saying that money is not spent in the heartlands , just the way it is then presented and accredited

I think its unfair that Batley are allowed to play on an un-level playing field

Thanks, you have answered my question! Surely it's better for a team to have no advantage regarding the Pitch ( no speech marks)! playing with the elements has always been a feature of any field sport however, running uphill or, downhill should not be allowed hence, Level Playing Field!

Has anyone on here ever played on the pitch at Batley. Is the slope really that bad ? I would be interested to know. The results seem to show its a problem.......2004 anyone.