Rugby League Outlook by Kevin Finney

The Future of the National League

On Tuesday we finally found out what happens with Super League next year. It is likely that the National League will be two members short. Even if three current NL sides get promoted, then one existing team will be demoted. But what will, and should, happen to next years National League competition?

Swinton Lions - A Fan's View

To finish off the latest Fan’s View section I spoke to the legendary Swinton Lions’ supporter Spelly to get his view, from a team not involved in the process, on what may, and should, happen this coming Tuesday. Watch out for more Fan’s View events coming soon.

Castleford Tigers - A Fan's View

Continuing our fan's view series, I spoke to Pontefract resident Mark Fullilove. Mark, 19, is a customer service assistant and full-time student.

Hull KR - A Fan's View

Today I spoke to Matthew Pearson. Matthew, 18, is a student from Hull. He gives the views of his beloved Hull Kingston Rovers.

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats - A Fan's view

Continuing last week's series I spoke to Landscape Manager Phil Townsend from Wakefield. Phil, 43, is a former WiSCA Chairman.

"Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering*"

The whole “Fan’s View” section has caused quite a lot of reaction across forums from the teams involved. The main reaction I have had, off emails, has been positive. I believe supporters have enjoyed reading the views of other supporters; whether they agree with them is another thing.

Celtic Crusaders - A Fan's View

The fan's view series, which seems to have provoked a little bit of discussion on various fans' forums, continues today. Representing Celtic Crusaders is Andy Burns. Andy is a 41-year-old Project Manager from Newport, South Wales.

Widnes Vikings - A Fan's View

Continuing the theme this week is Widnes Vikings supporter Neil Barker, A 29-year-old sales executive who represents the views of his hometown team.

Salford City Reds - A Fan's View

Following on from yesterday's fan's view, I spoke to Salford City Red's supporter Mike Marsland, a 60-year-old chartered cccountant from Lymm, Cheshire. He gives his reasons why Salford should be in Super League next year.

Leigh Centurions - A Fan's View

Each day this week, I will be speaking to a supporter from each of the clubs seen to be involved in the race for a Super League spot in 2009. Firstly, I spoke to Leigh Centurion’s supporter Michael Norris, a 44-year-old CEO from Wigan working for Micap PLC.

Super League Decision - A Fan's View

I’ve spent the last week talking to supporters from many clubs after my article last week. On Monday, here on www.lasttackle.com, we will be starting a new feature focussing on the fan’s views from some of the contenders in the race for a licence contest. Each day will feature the opinions of a different club. Monday is the turn of the Leigh Centurions supporters. Make sure you log on each day to get the views of the most important part of Rugby League: The fans.

About the Author

Stats

Wigan	vs	Bradford
Round: 27 Fri 3 Sep 20:00
Harlequins	vs	Warrington
Round: 27 Fri 3 Sep 20:00
Hull FC	vs	Leeds
Round: 27 Sat 4 Sep 16:30
St. Helens	vs	Castleford
Round: 27 Sat 4 Sep 18:45
Crusaders	vs	Hull K R
Round: 27 Sat 4 Sep 18:45
Catalans	vs	Huddersfield
Round: 27 Sat 4 Sep 18:30

Hull K R	18 - 38	Wigan
New Craven Park Sun 22nd August
Huddersfield	52 - 4	Salford
The Galpharm Stadium Sun 22nd August
Bradford	38 - 28	Wakefield
Grattan Stadium Sun 22nd August
Castleford	40 - 28	Harlequins
The Jungle Sun 22nd August
Crusaders	10 - 36	St Helens
Racecourse Sat 21st August
Warrington	36 - 18	Hull
Halliwell Jones Stadium Fri 20th August

Pos	Name	P	W	D	L	Pts
1	Wigan	26	21	0	5	42
2	St Helens	26	19	0	7	38
3	Warrington	26	19	0	7	38
4	Leeds	26	16	1	9	33
5	Hull FC	26	16	0	10	32
6	Huddersfield	26	15	1	10	31
7	Hull K R	26	14	1	11	29
8	Castleford	26	11	0	15	22
9	Crusaders	26	11	0	15	22
10	Bradford	26	9	1	16	19
11	Wakefield	26	9	0	17	18
12	Harlequins	26	7	0	19	14
13	Salford	26	7	0	19	14
14	Catalans	26	6	0	20	12

Leigh	vs	Sheffield
Round: Play Offs Thu 2 Sep 19:30
Barrow	vs	Widnes
Round: Play Offs Sun 5 Sep 15:00
Featherstone	vs	Halifax
Round: Play Offs Thu 9 Sep 19:30
tbc	vs	tbc
Round: Final Sun 26 Sep

Whitehaven	26 - 12	Batley
Recreation Ground Sun 22nd August
Keighley	24 - 32	Widnes
Cougar Park Sun 22nd August
Featherstone	72 - 20	Barrow
Bigfellas Stadium Sun 22nd August
Toulouse	24 - 38	Halifax
Sat 21st August
Sheffield	29 - 28	Leigh
Don Valley Stadium Thu 19th August
Barrow	14 - 32	Widnes
Craven Park Wed 18th August

Pos	Name	P	W	D	L	Pts
1	Featherstone	20	18	0	2	56
2	Halifax	20	16	0	4	50
3	Leigh	20	12	1	7	43
4	Barrow	20	12	1	7	39
5	Widnes	20	11	0	9	38
6	Sheffield	20	10	1	9	35
7	Batley	20	7	0	13	29
8	Toulouse	20	8	0	12	27
9	Dewsbury	20	6	0	14	26
10	Whitehaven	20	4	0	16	16
11	Keighley *	20	4	1	15	10

Blackpool	vs	Workington
Round: Play Offs Sun 5 Sep 15:30
Rochdale	vs	S Wales
Round: Play Offs Sun 5 Sep 15:00
Oldham	vs	York
Round: Play Offs Sun 12 Sep 15:00
tbc	vs	tbc
Round: Final Sun 26 Sep

London	18 - 48	Oldham
New River Stadium Fri 27th August
Hunslet	32 - 24	South
South Leeds Stadium Sun 22nd August
Rochdale	16 - 26	Blackpool
Spotland Stadium Sun 22nd August
Swinton	94 - 0	Gateshead
Sedgley Park Sun 22nd August
Doncaster	46 - 12	Workington
Keepoat Stadium Sun 22nd August
South	16 - 18	York
Sun 15th August

Pos	Name	P	W	D	L	Pts
1	Hunslet	20	18	0	2	55
2	Oldham	20	17	0	3	52
3	York	20	12	0	8	39
4	Blackpool	20	15	0	5	38
5	Rochdale	20	10	0	10	37
6	South	20	9	0	11	34
7	Workington	20	8	1	11	33
8	Swinton	20	9	1	10	33
9	Doncaster	20	8	0	12	28
10	London	20	2	0	18	10
11	Gateshead	20	1	0	19	-2

Batley	25 - 24	Widnes
Bloomfield Road Sun 18th July
Keighley	18 - 48	Widnes
Cougar Park Sun 20th June
Leigh	4 - 25	Batley
Leigh Sports Village Thu 17th June
Hunslet	6 - 42	Leigh
South Leeds Stadium Sun 6th June
Batley	26 - 16	Sheffield
Mount Pleasant Sun 6th June
Keighley	32 - 6	York
Cougar Park Sun 6th June

Pos	Name	P	W	L	Pts
1	Dragons	23	16	7	205
2	Wests	23	15	8	37
3	Panthers	23	14	9	118
4	Titans	23	14	9	19
5	Roosters	23	13	10	39
6	Warriors	23	13	10	39
7	Sea Eagles	23	12	11	41
8	Raiders	23	12	11	4
9	Rabbitohs	23	11	12	31
10	Broncos	23	11	12	-25
11	Knights	23	10	13	-40
12	Eels	23	10	13	-64
13	Bulldogs	23	8	15	-51
14	Sharks	23	7	16	-217
15	Cowboys	23	5	18	-232
16	Storm	23	13	10	96