Championship 1 POs

By Chris O'Brien,
January 5 2010

The South Wales Scorpions will play their opening fixture on February 28th at the Gnoll against Workington Town RLFC. Both clubs will be targeting promotion – but how does the play-off system work in rugby league's third tier?

Having enjoyed the dizzy heights of Super League at the Brewery Field for a season, rugby league fans in South Wales could be forgiven for not paying too much attention to the play-off system used in the re-branded Championship One.

Eleven teams will be battling it one in next season's Championship One, with the Scorpions lining up alongside established clubs like the York City Knights, Oldham Roughyeds and Doncaster RLFC.

At the end of the season, two clubs are promoted from the division and move up into the Championship. The division's winner is promoted automatically, with the other spot settled through a six-team play-off format.

The play-off gets underway with two elimination matches. The format of this is as follows:

A. 4^th v. 7^th
B. 5^th v. 6^th

The two winners then progress, whilst the losers are eliminated and will remain in Championship One the next season.

In the second week, the two winners' of elimination matches go head-to-head with the winner qualifying for the 'Final Qualifier' stage and the loser being eliminated. The other week two fixture sees the teams that finish second and third play one another. The winner goes straight through to the final. The loser is not eliminated - but instead must face the winner of the week-two elimination match the next week.

C. Winner of A v. Winner of B
D. 2^nd v. 3rd
E. Winner of C v. Loser of D

The winner of Match E will then face the winner of match D in the Grand Final. The victor will join the Championship One table-toppers in sealing promotion, whilst the loser faces another season in the third tier.

F. The Grand Final - Winner of D v. Winner of E

So how will we do?

As it stands, supporters are finding it difficult to judge how the Scorpions will fare next season.

A tremendous amount of enthusiasm has been shown from fans and club officials alike, but until an announcement has been made regarding a Head Coach and player recruitment then it's hard to know what to expect.

Director Mark Rowley has, however, confirmed that the Scorpions will be aiming to win promotion to the Championship within two seasons.

What should the new club be aiming for next season? Join in the discussions on the messageboard.

Rugby League Championship One - the play-off system

Discussion started by South Wales RL (IP Logged), 05/01/2010 15:10

South Wales RL
05/01/2010 15:10

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Kennyroberts
05/01/2010 15:22

I will be very honest, and suffer the wrath of my fellow supporters. I will be well happy if we win 5 games, but I don't think we will manage that. I have never before in my life wished to be so wrong! A hastily arranged squad of players that have never experienced that level of RL before, playing against lads who have played since they were 6 to 8 years old and who are used to that level, are going to struggle.

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stevec
05/01/2010 15:48

Can't help agreeing with kenny although hope I am WRONG too

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Rogero
05/01/2010 18:06

I'm going for gold and will put a £5 on winning the league.

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Neef neef
05/01/2010 22:05

Well said Rogero. I admire your optimism, but I think the sensible bet would be a play-off place.

But you lads have to remember that there is a lot of good talent locally that can be utilised. We just need to find the players and the open trial that is coming up is crucial. It needs to be marketed well so that the good local players come along and show their stuff. Players from UWIC, the Welsh Conference and the Colleges should all be invited.

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WILLS
05/01/2010 23:23

I think there is already a lot of interest from Dragonhearts and Conference players.
Also a fair bit of interest from last years Crusaders U18`s champions, the bulk of which would have made up the Crusaders U21 academy this year if they had stayed in South Wales.
Add these players to the reserves that are joining and there should be a lot of competition for places, which can only be good for the club.

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Bridgend_Stinger
06/01/2010 14:42

We're gonna win the league =D

Oh I can't wait until we start singing that!! =D

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40:20
06/01/2010 15:27

Stinger - you are the most optimistic fan on this board!

Well done you haven't even seen us play yet and your enthusiasm is infectious!!!

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swanseablue
06/01/2010 18:55

I think our players will do better than win 5 matches Kenny ,im not saying they will run away with the title but I think they could challenge for the playoffs IF they coach can get the players to work and gel well together in the short space of time until the start of the season. That's a big if , but If Im right that the club can pick from players that won 2009 U18 Youth League and the Conference National winners 2008 plus some of the talented youth players on the fringes of the Crusaders side I think we have a good basis on which to form a competitive outfit.

Time will tell of course!

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Bridgend_Stinger
06/01/2010 19:40

I honestly think we can finish top if we get the Crusaders youngsters.

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Kennyroberts
06/01/2010 19:50

Its alright generalising and saying we will win this amount of games and that amount of games, but look at each individual club and ask yourself if a new team of mostly untried at this level youngsters are going to beat that team. I watch all the National league clubs when I am not in South Wales and have done for many years and I think we have a very big task on to win more than 3. Its hard for me to look beyond London Skolars. Maybe, if we adapt as the season goes on we may shock a few, but don't ecpect too much early on because you could be setting yourselves up for a dissapointment. Mind you York played a friendly recently against a side made up from local amateurs and only scored 1 try in a defeat. Once again I stress, I really, really hope I am wrong, but I have to say it as I see it. Sorry.

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Bridgend_Stinger
06/01/2010 20:03

Oh cmon Kenny.

Look at the Celtic Crusaders first year as a club. They nearly got promoted with several Welsh Conference players and...alot of Aussies.

I also meant to say if we get the Crusaders reserves aswell as the youngsters.

But seeing the Celtic Crusaders in their first season, not only did I develop a love for the game but, I didn't know what to expect regarding results and as I recall the Celtic Crusaders went of with a flyer!! Top of the league most of the season...I think.

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Chris ' sharks' Davies
09/01/2010 21:31

Hi lads

Going to attend the trials. I hope there is a good selection of players there with different backgounds and skills they can bring to the game. Most of all tho i hope there is a strong thirst for the game as Wales as a nation is very Union orientated and a change is due. I have played union form the age of 7 and converted to league last 2 years playing in the conferance and i will be attending the trials open minded but with a hunger to get into the squad....i know there is alot of other players with the same hunger.

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