Gareth is a top rugby league journalist who has one very exceptional distinction. He chooses to write about matters pertaining to the Championship and League One.
Although this blog is devoted to Featherstone Rovers it is always good to read opinions about matters relevant to us, but not specifically about us. We hope you enjoy reading Gareth's column each week.
Shining beacons
WHAT
an outstanding weekend for rugby league outside the top flight.
From Barrow Raiders’
stirring win over Championship title favourites Leigh, to 4,221 watching a
thrilling League One clash between York and Bradford, there was much to admire
in the two competitions.
Barrow’s result means
that the promoted club have now taken three points from full-time duo Toronto
and Leigh in consecutive weekends, a fine achievement by Paul Crarey’s squad.
The crowd at Craven Park was
encouraging too, with 1,991 in attendance to witness Shane Toal score a
decisive hat-trick.
When the Raiders were handed an
opening trio of fixtures that read London, Toronto, Leigh, few will have given
them any chance of securing a single point - to have secured three bodes well
for their ability to compete regularly in the Championship.
Top of the tree after four rounds are
London Broncos, who blitzed much-fancied Featherstone in the first half and
ended up 44-24 winners.
That’s three wins from
three under rookie coach Danny Ward, rubbishing some pre-season predictions
about their ability to make the Qualifiers again this year.
It’s also worth
noting the presence of seven homegrown players in their side on Sunday.
The Broncos’ home match with
Toronto this Sunday should be an absolute cracker.
The Wolfpack edged an entertaining
contest at Halifax, winning 20-6 in front of 2,036 at the Shay.
That match was televised, as usual, on
Premier Sports, and meant that despite there being no Super League on Sunday
fans actually had a choice of live rugby league to tune into, with Bradford
streaming their trip to York online via Proper Sport.
That provided another notable element
to a day of significant success at Bootham Crescent, where York’s
superb pre-match marketing was richly rewarded with a bumper attendance that
would shame some Super League clubs.
It isn’t the first time
the Knights have achieved such notable success - they did the same against
Toronto last year and pulled in 2,601.
Working on a League One budget, it
shows the value of cost effective, positive and focused marketing that creates
an attractive event out of matches.
Some clubs at any level could
certainly take a leaf out of their book.
It’s just one case of
the excellent work that goes on at clubs in the Championship and League One,
and there are examples everywhere throughout the course of the season.
Enjoy this week’s game -
it’s unlikely to disappoint.
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