Another Week Off

[Locked Out]

Sadly due to an unexpected dearth of front row players, Acklam have given Ripon a walkover for the Shield Quarter Final and again 18 blokes are left to contemplate their navels or go shopping for the second week running.

Disappointing, as knowing what I know about the population of Middlesbrough and its surroundings, I find it very hard to believe that are aren't sufficient fat boys around to make up a competitive team.

Not sure who the powers that be are thinking are benefitting from this farcical cup thing, I can't even bring myself to call it a "competition" any more.

[avinastella]

Sadly due to an unexpected dearth of front row players, Acklam have given Ripon a walkover for the Shield Quarter Final and again 18 blokes are left to contemplate their navels or go shopping for the second week running.

Disappointing, as knowing what I know about the population of Middlesbrough and its surroundings, I find it very hard to believe that are aren't sufficient fat boys around to make up a competitive team.

Not sure who the powers that be are thinking are benefitting from this farcical cup thing, I can't even bring myself to call it a "competition" any more.

They were drawn away. They rarely do away cup ties.

[HandsInTheRuck]

OO HWO against Hemsworth

[Ribbflagman]

For what its worth they blobbed on us in last years Shield 1/4 final despite giving us assurances three weeks prior that they would honour the fixture. We dangled the carrot  of splitting the gate money (minus VAT) as per the county regs which with the crowds we were getting last year would almost have paid for a coach.
I agree the county comps are dead and buried. Lets get back to 14 team leagues asap to help sustain all grass roots clubs.

[Retired youngster]

18 walkovers across all 4 Yorkshire Comps now

12 of them to the home team

[gateprop]

It's hard getting players to give a shit about cups. We've had a huge focus from before pre-season from the coaches and leadership team that the Yorkshire cup is a priority this season and yet availability has been horrendous for both games. We travelled understrength away to Baildon and have had to cancel our 2nd XV game this week due to lack of availability across 1's and 2's just to get a team out to travel to Old Rish. I don't know what it is, players just don't seem to want cup games any more.

[avinastella]

It's hard getting players to give a shit about cups. We've had a huge focus from before pre-season from the coaches and leadership team that the Yorkshire cup is a priority this season and yet availability has been horrendous for both games. We travelled understrength away to Baildon and have had to cancel our 2nd XV game this week due to lack of availability across 1's and 2's just to get a team out to travel to Old Rish. I don't know what it is, players just don't seem to want cup games any more.

A big problem is the League fixture schedule/calender is released in the Summer. The players see all the free weeks in there so make plans accordingly. Cup fixture don't get released early enough so players have made plans by then.
Think we've got three off to watch the Rugby League England/Aus test match + others on weekends away.

[PocknRoll]

It's hard getting players to give a shit about cups. We've had a huge focus from before pre-season from the coaches and leadership team that the Yorkshire cup is a priority this season and yet availability has been horrendous for both games. We travelled understrength away to Baildon and have had to cancel our 2nd XV game this week due to lack of availability across 1's and 2's just to get a team out to travel to Old Rish. I don't know what it is, players just don't seem to want cup games any more.

A big problem is the League fixture schedule/calender is released in the Summer. The players see all the free weeks in there so make plans accordingly. Cup fixture don't get released early enough so players have made plans by then.
Think we've got three off to watch the Rugby League England/Aus test match + others on weekends away.

Agreed, senior players with kids will have the free weeks earmarked for a bit of family time (or maybe the Wags will)

Are the three going to the Rugby League on a scouting mission for more recruits once The Ashes is over?😉

[gateprop]

And now Old Rish have blobbed at the last minute. We had to give a walkover on our 2's game to get a side out for this game so now no-one gets a game. Fortunately our original 2's opposition managed to find a game but it's incredibly frustrating. It's not like they wouldn't have known they were struggling for players. We're now scrambling to find a 2's fixture and work out if all our players who were available for the 2's are still actually available.

So that's Pythons, Goole, Ripon and Wath all through to the semis without a quarter final being played.

[avinastella]

And now Old Rish have blobbed at the last minute. We had to give a walkover on our 2's game to get a side out for this game so now no-one gets a game. Fortunately our original 2's opposition managed to find a game but it's incredibly frustrating. It's not like they wouldn't have known they were struggling for players. We're now scrambling to find a 2's fixture and work out if all our players who were available for the 2's are still actually available.

So that's Pythons, Goole, Ripon and Wath all through to the semis without a quarter final being played.

Brings the total up to 18 now.
And i was accused of being cynical regarding Walkovers and the Cups.

[Rugby01]

And now Old Rish have blobbed at the last minute. We had to give a walkover on our 2's game to get a side out for this game so now no-one gets a game. Fortunately our original 2's opposition managed to find a game but it's incredibly frustrating. It's not like they wouldn't have known they were struggling for players. We're now scrambling to find a 2's fixture and work out if all our players who were available for the 2's are still actually available.

So that's Pythons, Goole, Ripon and Wath all through to the semis without a quarter final being played.

Brings the total up to 18 now.
And i was accused of being cynical regarding Walkovers and the Cups.

Does the 18 include Guisborough who gave an AWO to Heath in the Yorkshire Cup?

[Locked Out]

Feeling your pain Gaters, no games at all is a sorry situation for any club these days when bar revenue is critical. Thankfully and not gloating by any means, Ripon has a strong 2nd XV squad with an away game and thanks to enigmatic planning by the club steward, there is a well subscribed to lunch session, followed fortuitously by the England match. Not the same as supporting the team on the home pitch, but an income generator.

Just imagining a Ripon v Pythons final. Wouldn't that be something?

[avinastella]

And now Old Rish have blobbed at the last minute. We had to give a walkover on our 2's game to get a side out for this game so now no-one gets a game. Fortunately our original 2's opposition managed to find a game but it's incredibly frustrating. It's not like they wouldn't have known they were struggling for players. We're now scrambling to find a 2's fixture and work out if all our players who were available for the 2's are still actually available.

So that's Pythons, Goole, Ripon and Wath all through to the semis without a quarter final being played.

Brings the total up to 18 now.
And i was accused of being cynical regarding Walkovers and the Cups.

Does the 18 include Guisborough who gave an AWO to Heath in the Yorkshire Cup?

Yes, but it's actually 19.
I'd missed Wensleydale out.

[gateprop]

Feeling your pain Gaters, no games at all is a sorry situation for any club these days when bar revenue is critical. Thankfully and not gloating by any means, Ripon has a strong 2nd XV squad with an away game and thanks to enigmatic planning by the club steward, there is a well subscribed to lunch session, followed fortuitously by the England match. Not the same as supporting the team on the home pitch, but an income generator.

Just imagining a Ripon v Pythons final. Wouldn't that be something?

Massively frustrating given we would have had enough players for the 2nd team if we hadn't had to draft so many of them into the 1st XV. Not an ethos shared by our opponents as they are able to put out a 2's team bolstered with regular first teamers but not willing to fulfil a first team fixture?

Both our scheduled games were away this week so no effect on the clubhouse. We currently don't receive any money from the clubhouse as we are leaseholders and the clubhouse is run by a committee of trustees separate to the football club. That is sometimes not ideal but also means we aren't reliant on home games for income and don't have the associated runnings costs.

And yes, I think everyone (except Wath & Goole) would agree a Pythons v Ripon final would be pretty awesome!