South Wales RL
Blackwood march on in Challenge Cup
By Chris O'Brien
February 14 2010
The South Wales Scorpions may not be involved in this year's Challenge Cup, but one amateur club continues to fly the flag for South Wales in the sport's world renowned knock-out competition. Blackwood Bulldogs marched into the third round on Sunday following a 28-16 victory in Edinburgh.
Blackwood Bulldogs - last season's Welsh Conference champions - claimed an impressive win in Scotland on St. Valentine's Day to book their place in the third round of the Challenge Cup.
One day after the Welsh rugby union side claimed an incredible last-gasp win over Scotland, Blackwood claimed a Scottish scalp of their own with a fantastic 28-16 win over the Edinburgh Eagles.
Front rower John Cox had got the Eagles off to an excellent start, but Blackwood soon stamped their authority on proceedings and ended up deserved winners.
Blackwood reached the third round of the competition following a 42-16 win over Edge Hill University in the previous round. They can now look forward to Tuesday's draw where they will be joined by twenty National League clubs.
The club have bagged £2,000 in prize money for reaching the third round - and will claim half the gate receipts of the next round tie.
Should Blackwood claim a famous win in the third round, they could incredibly face the likes of Wigan, Leeds or holders Warrington in the fourth round. That is a truly mouth-watering prospect for amateur rugby league in South Wales.
Good luck Blackwood!!
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Discussion started by South Wales RL (IP Logged), 14/02/2010 21:00
14/02/2010 21:00
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The draw for the third round is this week.
Thinking about it, I think the worst draw for the Bulldogs would probably be a poorly-supported Championship One club away. Not a great chance of winning, hefty travelling costs and probably a poor crowd.
I'd like to see them either get an exciting home draw, someone like Widnes away or one of the other Conference clubs at home – setting up a possible fourth round spot which could see them paired against Wigan, Leeds or even the Crusaders!! Imagine that!
Thinking about it, I think the worst draw for the Bulldogs would probably be a poorly-supported Championship One club away. Not a great chance of winning, hefty travelling costs and probably a poor crowd.
I'd like to see them either get an exciting home draw, someone like Widnes away or one of the other Conference clubs at home – setting up a possible fourth round spot which could see them paired against Wigan, Leeds or even the Crusaders!! Imagine that!
A home tie would be the best - when do the super league teams get involved?
Leeds Rhinos look hopeless at the moment!!
Leeds Rhinos look hopeless at the moment!!
I watched Blackwoods first round victory and if the game in Edinburgh had been kicking off later than 12.30 I would have watched that too. I sent my congratulations to the club while they were still in Edinburgh last night. A home draw would be ideal for Blackwood and I believe the RFL would actually give them the nod to play it on their home ground as well, as I do believe the facilities are good enough. When amateur clubs are drawn at home they are not normally allowed to play it at home anyway as very few have the facilities. They normally switch to the away pro ground or play at their own local pro ground. In fact, the only amateur team I have ever seen play on their own ground against pro opposition was Bradford Dudley Hill .v. Dewsbury over 10 years ago. I have watched quite a few amateur sides beat pro opposition. East Hull won at Swinton and Thornhill beat Workington Town at Dewsbury's ground. I have seen quite a few aothers too.I have also been involved as PRO with amateur clubs playing at pro grounds - Huddersfield and Swinton with Irlam Hornets and Halifax with Eccles. Most of the pro clubs are a pleasure to deal with and you will have a great day out if drawn away, but be careful if you are drawn away against a struggling pro club because many an amateur side has been "ripped off" and come away with nothing!
I just hope if they play it doesn't clash with any major sporting events in the area. Its in the week the Scorps are not playing in and the Crusaders play on the Sunday in Warrington , it might be worth baring in mind. They have now gone as far as Cardiff did back in 2000, is that the furthest a Welsh club other than CC has gone in the competition???
Oldham is a tough draw but that'll be a fantastic experience for the Blackwood boys and I'm sure plenty of friends, family and fans will travel and give them top notch support. Imagine if they could stage an upset? Fantastic stuff.
It's obviously a bit late to organise now, but Blackwood could probably do with a friendly against someone like the Scorpions to warm up for Oldham. Maybe something to think about if similar situations arise in the future.
Anyway, good luck to the Bulldogs!!
It's obviously a bit late to organise now, but Blackwood could probably do with a friendly against someone like the Scorpions to warm up for Oldham. Maybe something to think about if similar situations arise in the future.
Anyway, good luck to the Bulldogs!!
considering going up there , BUT WHERE????? THEY HAVE NO GROUND??????? Might be played down here?
Great result Blackwood and good luck in the next round. Does anyone know what will happen if Oldham can't fullfill fixtures at home. If they cant play this year would Blackwood get a free ticket through to round4
A friendly against Blackwood would be a great idea, it would give us more practice and give them a game against a higher skill level. Does anyone think anything could be done to organise this. How great would it bef they got through to round 4 and drew the Crusaders
I just had a look on Oldham's website and it looks like they've finally got a ground sorted out. I honestly can't see any result other than a valiant but comprehensive defeat. it's still a fantastic achievement to get this far in the competition, hopefully a sign of things to come in the future.
There is no chance of Oldham forfeiting the tie and there is no chance of Blackwood progressing any further. It is a great acheivement to get this far and I hope to support Blackwood at the match. I have heard that Oldham RLFC may be moving in with Oldham Town FC of the Unibond league. If not, the game will probably take place at Sedgley Park RUFC.
Thanks for the updates - I didn't realise Oldham were in such dire straights regarding their ground. Hopefully they'll get things sorted out.
I don't suppose there's any chance of Blackwood borrowing a couple of Scorpions players for the match up there? Short term loan sort of thing? probably not allowed apart from the ones that are playing for both (Roets?).
Quote:geraint85
A friendly against Blackwood would be a great idea, it would give us more practice and give them a game against a higher skill level.,,,,
I don't want to be negative but we've not thrown a ball in anger yet. How do we know SWS would have more skill????
Quote:40:20
Thanks for the updates - I didn't realise Oldham were in such dire straights regarding their ground. Hopefully they'll get things sorted out.
Oldham no longer play, on a regular basis,at Boundary Park, due to the exorbitant rent demanded by Oldham Athletic FC. Whilst one game has been played there this season, this was a one off. Their next home game(v Sheffield) is to be played at Broughton Park RUFC on Monday evening. They are also looking to play games at Oldham Town, anon-league club playing in the North West Counties Leage.
Oldham cannot force a amateur club such as Blackwood to play other than on the Saurday or Sunday of the scheduled weekend.
macbroon
Thanks for further info - very interesting and hopefully Blackwood won't be inconvenienced too much.
On this afternoon's Super League Show on BBC2 (England), there was a piece about the start of The Challenge Cup.
It featured Edinburgh beating Gouceastershire U in Cheltenham and then Blackwood winning in Edinburgh.
It mentioned that Blackwood next played Oldham so I expect we will see another cameo after the next round.
macbroon
It featured Edinburgh beating Gouceastershire U in Cheltenham and then Blackwood winning in Edinburgh.
It mentioned that Blackwood next played Oldham so I expect we will see another cameo after the next round.
macbroon
For an up to date view of Oldham in action and a look at Sedgeley Park's ground, see my postin on "See Oldham on your computer
macbroon
macbroon
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