Rugby League - Northern Rail Cup - Celtic Crusaders

[Karel]

I have just seen the prices for the revised Northern Rail Cup which really surprised me. I backed Celtic Crusaders ante post at 9/1 each way to win it and feel I have to steam in again at a silly price of 11/4 to win it outright.

There are no guarantees, but I am sure the winner is going to come from the Celtic v Salford game. The other two teams are Doncaster and Batley and I give any of these very little chance of beating either in the final.

I have thought for some time Salford are over rated and it showed when they lost to Whitehaven away and deserved to. Celtic lost by two points a couple of weeks back away at Salford and I truly thought they were the better side. Celtic also saw off a decent Widnes side in the last round 50 - 18 and I would have to make these favourites at home to Salford in the semi finals, I really do fancy them to beat them and would put them up as favourites. So why Salford are 1/2 and Crusaders 11/4 to win the competion, I really have no clue and even with my ante post bet will be firing into them again at this price.

Those are my thoughts and fingers crossed, but they to me should be no bigger than 6/4 and if the price is wrong win or lose they just have to be backed. Here are the odds with a few bookies pricing them up at 11/4

http://www.oddschecker.com/rugby-lea...cup/win-market

[Punto83]

I think this is a very good shout Karel.

I've seen Salford "live" twice this season when they've played my team. They are nt as strong as Castleford were when they were in the National Leagues and I would go as far to say, they don't even match Widnes before they went into administration.

Celtic are a good team which I've seen personally quite a few times over the past couple of years. Brilliant going forward, very quick but suspect when defending.

I'm getting a bit cynical about rugby league at the moment, I'm not going as far as saying its bent but I do have some suspicions. I'm not really one for conspiracy theories but I'm starting to think the game is dictated to some extent by the powers that be. (haha sorry about the rant )

Two lines of thought, if it is Celtic vs Batley/ Doncaster final the crowd will be pathetic, they would be lucky to get over 3/4,000. Not a good advert. Salford could easly fetch 5,000+ fans on their own.

The other line of thought is franchises, Celtic get preferential treatment from the RFL and have been banking on a franchise. They don't get many points though through the set criteria and for them to get in, it would mean a traditional team being put into the wilderness (even if Super League is expanded to 14, that means either Widnes or Salford missing out). Celtic getting to a final and ultimately winning it would make their case stronger.

Well done getting on at 9/1

[Karel]

Punto I agree with the powers that be maybe bending rules etc. My home town club of Huddersfield were let off time and time again when finishing bottom. We were the worst team in super league but had a very rich chairman and one of the best grounds. Year after year they stated no relegation as they wanted us there and were waiting until we we became a force, they finally had to admit defeat and relegated us after about 4 seasons of finishing rock bottom. They wanted a London side so bent the rules on how many aussies they could have. And I know they now want a Welsh club there, so will do all they can to make sure they do.

Anyway I really believe Celtic will beat Salford and then go to about 2/5 themselves. I have just took the 11/4 and will be backing them to win the game on the day. I agree Celtic are great going forward and have a suspect defence though. The score v Batley last night was 56 - 28.

[Punto83]

Yep, I watched the Celtic game last night, some of their games on Saturday night at home are on SC4, a channel on sky.... I think Channel 136, they didn't appear to get out of 2nd gear and let 3 sloppy tries near the end.

Only concern is Jace Van Dijk, their best player, broke his cheek bone last night and is out of the remainder of the season. He is like Trent Barrett of the national leagues, big loss for them.

[Karel]

Only concern is Jace Van Dijk, their best player, broke his cheek bone last night and is out of the remainder of the season. He is like Trent Barrett of the national leagues, big loss for them.

That really is not good news, I agree I have seen him play a few times and he has been superb. Hopefully they have a half decent replacement.

[Punto83]

Originally Posted by Karel

That really is not good news, I agree I have seen him play a few times and he has been superb. Hopefully they have a half decent replacement.

I don't think they have on their ranks at the moment but don't be surprised if one is signed very soon

[Karel]

I don't think they have on their ranks at the moment but don't be surprised if one is signed very soon

The nice people at the Rugby Leauge head quarters might go out and buy one for them Oh and if they could do it before the semi final that would help aswell

[Punto83]

Originally Posted by Karel

The nice people at the Rugby Leauge head quarters might go out and buy one for them Oh and if they could do it before the semi final that would help aswell

haha, yep. Little rumour at our game yesterday was possibly James Webster of Hull KR

[Karel]

haha, yep. Little rumour at our game yesterday was possibly James Webster of Hull KR

Wow that would be good, I am a massive fan of his.

Which game were you at yesterday Punto by the way? I heard you mention Featherstone, but see you are from Wakefield.

Oh and by the way my home town coach 'Jon the spin doctor Sharpe' has been sacked......Like all my christmas's have come at once.

[Punto83]

I was at Featherstone vs Widnes yesterday. Widnes were -6 on the coupon and I was tempted to back them but Fev won, quite a good performance too.

I was talking to a member of your squad yesterday, I think he'll be pretty pleased Sharpe has gone as he wasn't best pleased!

[Karel]

I was at Featherstone vs Widnes yesterday. Widnes were -6 on the coupon and I was tempted to back them but Fev won, quite a good performance too.

I was talking to a member of your squad yesterday, I think he'll be pretty pleased Sharpe has gone as he wasn't best pleased!

I also looked at this from a betting prospective and thought about backing Fev for small stakes of scratch as Widnes were a bit weak yesterday, but I was not that impressed with them against Salford, I thought they lacked ideas going forward, so declined in the end. Anyway they pulled out a great result. Only been to Fev twice, but I love the smaller grounds where you are nearer the action.

The Sharpe thing, you want to tell people on the Rugby league forum, he can do no wrong in their eyes. I have been slagged of on many occasions for saying what I think. I really believe he lost the dressing room a long time ago and I am glad I don't have to listen to any more excuses from 'Mr Ego'.

[Punto83]

Originally Posted by Karel

I also looked at this from a betting prospective and thought about backing Fev for small stakes of scratch as Widnes were a bit weak yesterday, but I was not that impressed with them against Salford, I thought they lacked ideas going forward, so declined in the end. Anyway they pulled out a great result. Only been to Fev twice, but I love the smaller grounds where you are nearer the action.

The Sharpe thing, you want to tell people on the Rugby league forum, he can do no wrong in their eyes. I have been slagged of on many occasions for saying what I think. I really believe he lost the dressing room a long time ago and I am glad I don't have to listen to any more excuses from 'Mr Ego'.

Yes, we do lack ideas going forward... even yesterday we should have scored more points. Our coach still thinks we are in the 1980's when he was a star. We have some quite talented players but they don;t have the license to play.

Who do you think will be next in line?

The player I had a qiuck chat was down in the dumps yesterday so he'll be pleased

[Karel]

Yes, we do lack ideas going forward... even yesterday we should have scored more points. Our coach still thinks we are in the 1980's when he was a star. We have some quite talented players but they don;t have the license to play.

Who do you think will be next in line?

The player I had a qiuck chat was down in the dumps yesterday so he'll be pleased

Next in line?

There really is not a lot of choice really. I just hope and pray that they have not timed this to get Paul Cullen in, oh please no, he can waffle as much as Jon Sharpe.

There really is not a lot of choice at the moment, I wish they had dome it a few weeks back and got millward in, that would have been my first choice. If I had to pick one and his name has been put around, it would be Brian McDermot of Harlequins, a no nonsense coach who tells the truth and talks a lot of sense. Not sure if he wants a move or anything, but his name has been mentioned in the local press.