Double Header / Magic Weekend

[Admin]

Hi all, since yesterday's sponsor/fixture announcement there's been some very interesting 'discussions' going on on the national message board (Rolling Maul). There are a couple of Moseley opinions on there but I just thought it would be nice to see, on our board, what everyone makes of this 'Double Header' weekend that will start our season. Of course we will be playing Rotherham Titans @ Doncasters Castle Park.

There is a poll, with 'limited' answers so we can all hear fans real opinions. 

Personally I'm not a fan on this extra fixture, an extra game that could make or break a team come the end of the season. With fixtures decided using league position (apparently). But that's just me, what do you think?

[Westcountry Mose]

Whilst I appreciate it has probably been arranged on a geographical basis would it not have been fairer to have seeded the teams based on last seasons position? ie, Jersey v Ealing, Mose v Albion, Scottish v Roth etc..?

[Admin]

Official Greene King IPA Championship twitter page says that games were drawn using last seasons finishing positions. However they all seem to fit geographically, well almost; us, Pirates and Jersey travelling +100miles. Pirates & Jersey have to do that for every away game, why don't we play Nottingham at Leicester? With Leeds & Rotherham travelling? Just seems a very strange RFU/Clubs decision in agreeing with these fixtures.

[studleyken]

If it profited the teams playing it would make sense but for teams like Moseley it will cost us to participate, a lot like the old B and I cup. The only people who will profit from it are the grounds hosting it and the RFU, again. I'm not a fan. I expect I will go though.
Come on you Mooooose and Mose Fans.

[stevep]

Shows the careless contempt the RFU have for teams in this league more than anything else, imho.

[Phil]

Apparently there will be a '4 week window' in which we can buy tickets and the club will keep 100% of the receipts. Anything after that will go to the host ground / RFU by the sounds of it.

How generous of the RFU!

www.plymouthalbion.com/q-a-regarding-the-championship-double-header/

[rogerhildreth]

My view is that it makes a mockery of the league. How can it be argued to be fair when teams do not play each other the same number of times? And Castle Park is hardly a neutral venue for Roth!

[studleyken]

At least we will get some revenue out of it. We all need to get behind the team and book in advance. Don't wait till you get there to get the ticket. Roth is a good ground to go to. Good food and facilities. Let's make ourselves the loudest fans there. Come on you 16th man.

[observer]

The St Leger is on ‘next door’ to Doncaster’s Castle Park on Saturday (14th) so I would guess the clever money is this being a Sunday fixture? The race meeting is the Wed-Sat inclusive with the feature race on Saturday
www.doncaster-racecourse.co.uk/horse-racing/fixtures

[Shy Spa]

The Premiership London Double Header makes some sense and represents two of the planned fixtures. It may draw in some neutrals and stimulate interest, but it is in reality a cynical way to boost attendance figures - two home fixtures get a capacity crowd at Twickenham. Plans to extend the opening day to three double headers have never come to fruition.

Championship Double Headers? Well, the southern teams get to play at a Premiership ground, the London teams get to play at a Premiership ground (hopefully Championship regs allow, or have been amended to allow, plastic pitches) and we get to go to a League One ground - although I haven't been there, it doesn't have an immediate appeal. Any 'casuals' drawn to the Doncaster event are unlikely to continue support in the Midlands.

The league was pleasingly close last season. This additional, random match could have a significant effect on final positions - worse than the previous play-offs for me. I won't be going, but the money 'saved' will find its way to the club in other ways.

[Oddsox]

I have been following the dismay on rolling maul as well Neil.

I agree with Roger - it brings the 'integrity'(another word?)of the league into question- how can you possibly play one additional fixture against one team for league points. If this fixture was in place of the home/away fixture against Rotherham it would make more sense. You would not be happy to lose a home fixture, but any funds from this game could be split- host club third & team losing the home fixture two thirds.

I do quite like the idea of a big launch of a new league sponsor & sky tv 'n all - but if this was a load of pre season friendlies it would make more sense OR pair our championship friendly / match before a premiership match at neutral ground - I'd enjoy going to that.

Bottom line - you cannot play only one team 3 times in a league season.

The only good point- IF we have to go through with this at least we are playing Rotherham & hopefully a winnable fixture (what do Roths think I wonder?)

I also agree with Shy.

Overall - Baffling decision......simply pointless.

[Rich]

I'm completely torn on this one and have to agree with shy spa in the most part. Greene King now being our major sponsor and being heavily involved in this make it tricky to be overly critical... however if we were to pick up any serious injuries in that game I may have to think again.

I'm not happy that our season doesn't start until Mid-September though - will this be the longest spell between "competitive" games since the leagues were introduced? Over to you, Ewart!

[philhall]

It is unclear to me whether or not the 'double headers' will count in the league points or whether they nothing more than a glorified series of 'friendlies'.

If they are to be included in the overall end of championship season position there could be a distinct disadvantage to any one team which might have an unlucky draw, for example:- team A which could be justifiably recognised as not being as strong as team B would have 3 hard games against team B and could finish up losing all 12/15 championship points, rather than securing 12/15 - or any points at all for that matter - which is one heck of a disadvantage. The stronger team, by contrast, winning a buffer of 12/15 points overall would be well chuffed.

And are the double headers to be played simultaneously on different pitches or one after the other on the same pitch? If that were the case then there could be a distinct advantage for the second pair of teams playing after the first pair knowing the result of the first game twix team A and B.

I would prefer this double header to a simple knock-out competition in its own right, as it were, with a quarter final, a semi final and a final. It could be done and dusted in 3 to 4 groups of games.

Naturally I would want Moseley to win it and Moseley, I feel, could just be the team this season to surprise everybody.

Come on Moooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooose.

[philhall]

It is unclear to me whether or not the 'double headers' will count in the league points or whether they nothing more than a glorified series of 'friendlies'.

If they are to be included in the overall end of championship season position there could be a distinct disadvantage to any one team which might have an unlucky draw, for example:- team A which could be justifiably recognised as not being as strong as team B would have 3 hard games against team B and could finish up losing all 12/15 championship points, rather than securing 12/15 - or any points at all for that matter - which is one heck of a disadvantage. The stronger team, by contrast, winning a buffer of 12/15 points overall would be well chuffed.

And are the double headers to be played simultaneously on different pitches or one after the other on the same pitch? If that were the case then there could be a distinct advantage for the second pair of teams playing after the first pair knowing the result of the first game twix team A and B.

I would prefer this double header to a simple knock-out competition in its own right, as it were, with a quarter final, a semi final and a final. It could be done and dusted in 3 to 4 groups of games.

Naturally I would want Moseley to win it and Moseley, I feel, could just be the team this season to surprise everybody.

Come on Moooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooose.

[Ewart]

Rich,

Because of the 1991 Rugby World Cup, which was played in the British Isles and France, the start of the 1991/92 league campaign was delayed. Moseley's last league match of 1990/91 was against Leicester, at The Reddings, on 27th April 1991 and there was not another league fixture until 16th November 1991 when Morley were beaten again at The Reddings. I haven't checked every season but I reckon this must be the longest interval between league matches.

[Rich]

Good work Ewart, knew we could count on you - a couple of years before my Moseley days.

Phil, the fixtures will be played consecutively on the main pitches at each venue and they do indeed have league points riding on them. Can't see the teams involved in the second matches having any advantage knowing the result of the first given it is the first match of the season. The pairings on done mostly based on last years league positions with a little tweaking to make geographic sense (though that is too strong a word for us having to go to Donny)

[philhall]

Well, at least Donny is up north, sithee, so I can go and visit family in Wakefield, afta' rugga - providing I'm not werkin that day.

Com,e on Moooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooose

[Communications Team]

The RFU have now confirmed that Moseleys game against Rotherham will kick off at 1.00pm on Saturday 14th September at Doncasters Castle Park ground.

As yet the club has not been advised details of ticketing (prices, availability etc)

As soon as we know anything we will let you know via the website, message board etc

[studleyken]

The MSA are planning to run a coach but obviously need to fill it so need to know numbers. How many of you are interested MSA Travel.

[Phil]

Count me in please Ken.

[CJB1]

Could well be. Put me down.

[studleyken]

Keep the coach bookings coming.