So basically your issue is that the final is in Augsut instead of April/May?

Jeeze. It is still the same tournament, and the crowds for the final are as big as ever. Stop being a drama queen.

My team is involved in the semi this week, and the excitement around the town is as great as any previous semi final, whatever the date was.

I can see both points tbh.

I cannot be d with the challenge cup, or SL.

I don't really support the sport of Rugby League. I support the Widnes Vikings.

Before the last time Widnes got screwed I used to go to the odd grand final, but now I am just not that interested.

I just don't really care for SL, and the RFL in general, and would rather support my club, rather that a sports governing body who have seeked to screw my team over time and time again.

I'm not bitter about it, I've just lost heart for the sport in general. So if Widnes are not involved, I don't really care.

Never has a truer sentence been posted. 3-4 years ago, friday night i would watch Sl religously with my dad etc, nowadays I'll see whats happening on Albert sq or in the rovers.

"Drama queen" - how novel. How inappropriate. There is no "drama" involved in the points I make, you noodle. And, if you can't see that the August shift is detrimental to the competition as a whole - for Christ's sake why such an illogical gap between the quarters and semis/final, which actually is a half-baked attempt to give them exclusive importance, something no other body in charge of an outdoor team sport but ours could dream up - then you're welcome to the hysteria you say your town is experiencing at this time.
It isn't just about it being in August, it is a whole modus operandi. Where manipulation to promote not only Sky's agenda but the personal ones of, hilariously, folk who know f**k all about RL. And this results in change for change's sake.
The Challenge Cup has been degraded. Laughably, for the sake of a Grand Final system where THE most prestigious achievement, that of being the showcase league champions, now means nothing.
You go and enjoy your semi-final tomorrow. Just don't think your fleeting enthusiasm represents anything like the genuine passion RL's once-beloved Challenge Cup used to engender; across ALL of RL.