News
Co-operative Championship clubs hail new Northern Rail Cup Group format
13th March 2009
With a couple of fixtures still to be completed in the group stages of the Northern Rail Cup a number of Co-operative Championship clubs have given the thumbs up to this year's new streamlined format saying it is more entertaining for fans and makes it far more competitive for teams taking part.
At the start of the year the Northern Rail Cup was given a fresh new look with the clubs divided equally into two pools of 10. Each team was required to play two home and two away fixtures and the eventual winners of the competition will gain the opportunity to apply for a Super League licence for the 2012 season.
Kevin Nicholas, Batley Bulldogs Chairman said: "The new format is a great improvement. Four games is the right number for the Group phase of the competition and we believe this is a good move forward from last season's structure which has certainly sustained supporters' interest.
"The standard of the competition has also improved this season. We've seen some great performances from Co-operative Championship 1 clubs and the quality has certainly developed".
One team who have certainly impressed in the competition are Dewsbury Rams who have won all three of their Pool 2 matches thus far and travel to London Skolars on Sunday knowing that a win in their final group stages match will see them top the group.
Mark Sawyer, Dewsbury Rams Chairman said: "This season's format has been a massive improvement and in terms of the Groups, it's definitely a case of less games meaning more excitement.
"The even spread of fixtures involving Championship and Championship 1 clubs has also meant the matches have been much more competitive and the fact that the competition moves straight into a last eight knock-out only adds to the excitement.
"The Northern Rail Cup is now providing a great balance between qualifying games and sudden death football and we've had some really positive feedback from our supporters and sponsors.
"There's no doubt the quality of the competition has certainly helped us attract some increased attendances during this part of the season".
Meanwhile Oldham Roughyeds Chief Executive Chris Hamilton has also praised the new format of the Northern Rail Cup which has seen his side finish second in Pool One with club Captain Robert Roberts picking up a Northern Rail Cup Player of the Week award along the way.
Chris Hamilton said: "The new format for this season's Northern Rail Cup competition has definitely freshened things up. Certainly, from an Oldham perspective, it was good to be playing different teams in Pool One to those we have played over the last few seasons.
"I think the new format of two pools is interesting and it had fans checking not only their own team's results but those of others in the same pool as they attempted to calculate if their team could be going through to the knock-out stages.
"The introduction of the Nines competition in July for the teams not in the final is another bold move by the game and one which deserves to prosper."
The draw for the Northern Rail Cup Quarter Finals will take place at half-time of the Sky Sports televised Halifax v Widnes Co-operative Championship fixture on Thursday 19 March with the ties to be played on the weekend of 6/7 June.
The Northern Rail Cup Semi Finals will be played on 20/21 June whilst the Final will be held at Bloomfield Road, Blackpool on Sunday July 12.
Meanwhile the 18 teams not involved in the Northern Rail Cup Final will participate in the inaugural Northern Rail 9’s celebration weekend which will also take place in Blackpool over the Northern Rail Cup Final weekend.
