Hello,

Apologies for posting this on the Wigan board but I imagine there are a few on here with some decent knowledge on the state of affairs at Rose Bridge...

I'm interested in your thought's on this Challenge Cup tie on Sunday. Looking at the fixtures this one stands out as the most likely for a potential upset. From a stats perspective it is particularly difficult to gauge a mark for this game with such little previous data for Hemel as a new side.

I expect the bookies will give Ince a 10-16 point start but it does look like a more competitive game than that for me, a newly formed side from the South travelling up to face one of the established Wigan clubs at their ground.

Any informed opinions on this one would be met with interest.

Badger

Hemel have started the season well, although the dual registration farce may mean they are weaker this weekend as they have had several from the Broncos previously.

Bridge got 50 put past them last weekend and the Wigan amateur sides don't have a good record in the Challenge Cup against senior opposition.

Expect Bridge to give it their all but Hemel to pull away in the second half.

Stupid, stupid that the match clashes with the Warriors game.

Main opinion is, as stated in previous post, why the hells teeth are they playing this Sunday in a direct clash with Wigan v Wakefield.

Dual-reg should be interesting because anyone from London who played would be cup-tied for them.

Also bear in mind that Hemel Stags are far from a newly formed side, they have been in existence since the early 1980's.

Hemel have been going well in their last couple of games including beating London Skolars (who should be among the front runners in Championship 1 this season) but have benefitted from including the likes of Chris Melling from the Broncos so without DR players should be weaker. I still think they are unlikely to lose to Rose Bridge, though they may come close to it.

IMO Skirlaugh v Gloucestershire All Golds is the one where the giant killing (if you could really call it that in this case) is likely to occur. To be honest I would be more surprised (pleasantly surprised I should add) if Skirlaugh didn't win that one as the All Golds are built around a student team and included 45 year old Brad Hepi in their team against Oxford.

I can assure everyone that IRB would have prefered not to have clashed with the Warriors fixture, but unfortunately too many other considerations stopped this happening. The Warriors and their staff have been very helpful along the way but unfortunately this seemed to be the best option for us. We could have switched the fixture to Hemel but I dont think anyone would have wanted that. I can guarantee that we will have a good day no matter what the result. Thanks to Wigan RUFC for all their help.

I'm pretty sure the game is being played at Wigan RUFC

Thanks for the input it's certainly given me something to think about, I am interested to see what the handicap marks on both the Skirlaugh game and this one are when they come out later in the week.

Badger

Better than switching away. Just disappointed as I would of gone on a Saturday or earlier kick off.

Speaking of WRUFC I heard somebody say at the U19s game that ex-Wigan and Saints player Tim Jonkers is now involved with them.

I probably would have as well. Usually a good day out at Bridge for the Ken Gee Final.

Well its at Wigan Rugby Union not Ince, but I agree. Love the Ken Gee Cup!

Surely it would make more sense to play the match at Orrel?

Wigan RUFC is I would guess a lot closer to Ince than Orrell is, so easier to attract more of a crowd to the game at Douglas Valley.

Also we were not allowed to stage the under 20s GF at Orrell a few years ago as the ground wasn't up to the required standard. I would imagine that it wouldn't meet the required standards to host a Challenge Cup game either.

Don't think that was down to required standards, more than the RFL want Under 20s finals at first team venues. We got a compromise on Leigh in 2011.