Can we do what Celtic did last year and not bother with the Blackpool game as it makes no difference as the last 8 is not seeded so it does not matter where we finish...

Or do we play all the fringe players and use it more as a friendly?

As we are not full of Aussies or the RFL's golden boys, I am sure we will have to play the game and I think it is certain that Matt C will put out the rest of the squad that didn't play today. They have another game on Sunday and he will want to give as much recovery time to the players as possible.

If only Gareth had been more patient, this was his chance. But as he's gone we, may never know...........

Celtic's game had no bearing on the final poisitions in the group though, ours does, if we win we win the group, if we lose and widnes win they may top the group.

...and I've a few quid on us winning the group (at 2-1)...

I could be wrong but i think that theres a small amount of cash due to each of the teams that top the tables in this first half of the NC Cup

You mean you haven't already spent it yet?

But it's an open draw for the quarters so it doesn't matter on your finishing position, so long as it's within the top four?

Widnes-Barrow is an obvious decider, while Fev might still go through if Dewsbury somehow lose to the Skolars.

Fev have qualified already. Pool 2 has all its qualifiers. All that will change is Dewsbury finishing top if they beat Skolars.

Technically, if Dewsbury lost by 59 points to Skolars, Doncaster would qualify instead of Dewsbury



Pedantic I know...

Was an Open Draw last season I believe.

Im thinking more from a punters point of view, people will have placed bets on Fax winning the group (and Oldham and Widnes for that matter). Plus there's the bragging rights!

Then there's the commercial side of things, Diners Packages have already been sold, There's a stack of "Game On"s from Week One still to be sold, Sponsors have paid for Matchball Sponsorship ect. So would probably generate a lot of work for the club if the game didn't go ahead.

If it got postponed again, who knows? but unil then there is a Zero chance of the fixture been scrapped I reckon.

We shouldn't attempt to have the game cancelled just to prove how hard done by we are and how celtic are overtly favoured by the RFL. Its a non issue, and I'm looking forward to the game. The more fax I see, the better.

Gives the coach the chance to play the fringe players and get them some game time as we all know without a Reserves team we need them to play at some point!
Will also keep those fringe players happy - hopefully!

Its a win - win for us, provided we are not too cocky as there is a team to beat = Blackpool.