Kevin & Paddy On Rugby League. Issue 1

Welcome to the brand new feature 'Kevin & Paddy on Rugby League'. The two lads are with RLC Premier South club Hainault Bulldogs, who SportTrades will be following through their season. We asked the two lads what they thought about the coming 2010 season and a couple of predictions. There was no conferring during this exercise.

Kevin Reith (He's the one on the left in the photo)

Super League 2010 will be the best yet, the salary cap in Rugby League lets the smaller club stay on an even keel with the big 4 Leeds,Wigan,Bradford and St Helens.

This proved to be so when the likes of Huddersfield and Hull KR finished in the top 4 and deservedly so.

Well what is 2010 about to bring? Personally from a bias point of view, I think it is going to be a mammoth task for anyone to stop the Champs, Leeds Rhinos, winning the 4th consecutive title. They have only lost Lee Smith to union Club Wasps, but have replaced him with the very experienced, powerful centre Brett Delaney, who made a great try scoring debut, in Matt Diskins testimonial against bitter rivals Bradford Bulls. Also arriving, 12 months late, is the very powerful back rower Greg Eastwood he will be a handful and when he gets into his stride will take some stopping.

Their closest rivals I think will be Warrington Wolves. IF they keep injury free, then Tony Smith will do something special there. He showed that after a short time in charge last season what they could do, when he lead them to the Challenge Cup final victory against Huddersfield.
A lot of people are talking up Wigan with the arrival of coach Michael Maguire and yeah i think initially he will make a massive difference. He has replaced a coach in Brian Noble, who in my opinion is and always has been very overrated, his main success was at Bradford where he inherited a team full of winning superstars and they carried on winning.He went to Wigan and never set the world alight and won nothing hence his departure to Crusaders RL. Which brings me nicely onto a Welsh Super League club in the interim it has turned out to be a bit of a shambles, I am all for spreading the RL message throughout the whole world, but not at the expense of the clubs that have kept the sport and the game itself going for over a 100 years.

This was something that was rushed and because of that the problems have started hence the upheaval to Wrexham. This does really put into perspective how derisory the process for selecting the Super franchises were, because the Welsh outfit never had the financial backing and in fact nearly went bust, only for the move to Wrexham which has saved them in the short term.

You then look at the offer the Widnes chairman made in their super league application, which was he would put into the RFL account 1 million pounds and If they fell into financial problems he would surrender that money. Widnes one of the most successful clubs of the modern era turned down flat, bet they are saying very loudly in Widnes 'Told you So'.
Will Crusaders be in Super League after the next round of franchises happen, probably so, but for all the wrong reasons. I sincerely hope that it gets resolved and the sport can thrive in Wales, but me like the rest of the people in RL land, will have to wait and see.

My tips for 2010 :

Super League top 3 :

1. Leeds Rhinos
2. Warrington Wolves
3. Wigan

Grand Final - Leeds v Warrington (with a Leeds win)

Bottom 3 :

Bottom - Crusaders
2nd bottom - Quins RL
3rd bottom - Salford

Challenge Cup Final - Leeds v Wigan (Leeds Completing the double)

World Club Challenge - Leeds 26 Melbourne 12

Don't forget to tune in to Sky Sports Friday at 7.30pm for the opening fixture Crusaders v Leeds


Paddy Crowley (He's the one on the right in the photo - this is getting like Ant & Dec)

The Engage SuperLeague 2010 season kicks off this Friday with the clash between last years Minor Premiers and Grand Final Winners, Leeds Rhinos against the much changed Crusaders ( more about them later!).

For a summer season, it does seem to be an early start. Even though the first spring flowers haven't started blooming I am pleased to have some live action back on the TV after an indifferent Autumn International Series and Guinness Premiership in Rugby Union.

With World Cup final winner Eastwood joining a fit Danny Buderus, the Rhinos must be favourites to reach Old Trafford again in 2010. Although Lee Smith has left for Pastures new they have an ample replacement in Brett Delaney.

Who will be their main competition though? Although you can never write off a Saints side I think the chasing pack will be alot closer this year with a fitter Wigan side, coached by Michael Maguire, a Warrington Side rejuvenated after a Challenge Cup Victory and a Catalan side who have adjusted to Kevin Walters. An injury or dip in the form to the ever present James Graham could see these three sides leap frog Saint Helens in the League, regardless of any magic that Kyle Eastmond conjures. At the other end of table I can see it being a very close bottom 8 with only a few points separating ninth from Last. The only team i do see majorly struggling in 2010 will be the Salford Reds.

London-wise I see another strange season for Quins RL. With a full strength side they can beat anybody home or away. News from the Stoop that Rob Purdham may be out for a good few rounds, along with worries about Temata and Wells, suggest that they may struggle to recapture the great start they enjoyed last year. Brian Macs challenge this season will be to keep them all fit for as long as possible during a regular season campaign spanning seven months.

My predictions for the season are below, but before I do I will get my excuses in early! This promises to be the tightest season in SuperLeague so far with a mixture of teams who, in my opinion, will be there or there abouts come the play offs in September.

Play Off Positions

1. Leeds Rhinos

2. Wigan Warriors

3. St Helens

4. Catalan Dragons

5. Warrington Wolves

6. Bradford Bulls

7. Hull FC

8. Huddersfield Giants

Bottom team: Salford Reds

Man of Steel: Danny Buderus

Top Try Scorer: Ryan Hall

As already mentioned the season kicks off with the Rhinos playing the Crusaders at The Racecourse ground, Wrexham. It has been a turbulent off season for the Crusaders with their moves some 156 miles north of their base within Bridgend.

On the field, I see them being a much harder side to beat with new coach Brian Noble a seasoned Superleague Coach who has brought in some solid performers for 2010. Off the field it shall be interesting to see how the folk of Wrexham take to the team as I cannot imagine many will make their way up from their old fanbase.

Should the RFL have allowed the team to move ? I honestly don't think they had any choice in the matter. On the plus side, if this team and the Championship 1 side, the scorpions survive and thrive then Wales will have a SuperLeague Side, A championship 1 side as well as a thriving community club set up within the country. I am sure the RFL would've taken that when the Wales "crusade" was started off, even if it has happened in a less than orthodox way.

One things for sure, if the Crusaders can move over three hours away from their existing home I am looking forward to Leeds Rhinos making the Olympic Stadium in Stratford their home after the Olympics in 2012!!

For the Hainault Bulldogs I see a promising 2010, with a top four finish within the RLC Southern Premier a realistic expectation. We have some key players back in key positions as well as a new member joining Kevins coaching team who will add much value to the development and performance of the team.

We are pleased to have a very tight, happy relationship in place with Dagenham RFC and are looking forward to the season ahead which kicks off in March for our Junior Sides.

As well as our Senior First Team, we will be running a London League Side for players who are looking to enjoy the greatest game for maybe the first time, as well as Our Under 12, 14 and 16s competing in the London Junior League. As well as a strong training ethic we pride ourselves on being a welcoming club to Player and supporters of our team as well as visitors with a fully stock, reasonably priced bar.

If anyone is thinking of giving the sport a go over the summer I'd say "why not!" Get in touch, come down for a run about and see if you enjoy it, most people do!

Bill McLaren

Yesterday saw the funeral of Bill McLaren - the voice of Rugby. I never had the honour of meeting the great man, but in the the days since his death have read about his life. Some stories I knew, some brought back memories and some I was reading for the first time. The era of commentators whose voices became synonymous with the sports they covered. The love of language that made the analysis entertaining and intelligent, that become part of sporting folklore and everyday sayings that even transcended sports. I enjoyed, like millions, his commentary of matches, they are very much a memory of my youth and bring back many happy images. His sayings were included in many team talks for the School Rugby team, as I'm sure they were for thousands of clubs up and down the country. There is something special that he was also such a generous, kind and warm human being as well as an Icon - they don't always go hand in hand. So, I will not be the first to use this line, they will be dancing in the streets of Hawick, in memory and celebration of Bill McLarens life. Bill McLAREN - Thank You.

2010 Sporting Predictions - Will Any Of Them Be Right?

As ever 2009 has been another fine year in British Sport. Jenson Button became F1 World Champion, England retained the Ashes, Ryan Giggs won the PFA Player of the year as well as BBC Sports Personality of the Year. Then of course there was continued British pride in the Tour de France where Bradley Wiggins came 4th overall and Mark Cavendish won 6 stages including the famous Champs Elysees

2010 should be a stellar year for British and World Sport overall, as there’s just so much to look forward to. At the end of the day there will be winners and losers, with talents emerging and teams possibly on the down-side looking for one last hurrah. Sport is something that can grip a nation and with more and more technology and interactivity in today’s sports coverage, there’s even more sport out there to follow. That should hopefully get more people interested in sport and should get some people inspired, particularly the young and get them active in their lives. I’m all for laptops and PS3’s but at the same time it’s dreadfully important to keep our fitness up.

Anyhows, here’s my predictions for the sporting year ahead. I've only predicted the sports that i know about mostly and Whatever your feelings are on the sporting year ahead remember to comment at the end of this post and type your own, let’s see if great minds think alike?

Cricket: It should be quite an interesting year for England, as all eyes will be focused on November when the Ashes series starts down under as Andrew Strauss's team look to retain the Ashes. It should be another entertaining series and I’m sticking my neck on the line and tipping the series to be drawn 1-1. It could very well be the final stage for Ricky Ponting as Australia captain and it wouldn't surpise me if he calls it a day. A name to look out for this summer for England fans could be Michael Carberry who has grown into a fine batsman at Hampshire and is on the fringes of selection. In terms of bowlers it would be good if the selectors could find a nasty bowler who would clean up the tail - Chris Tremlett perhaps? Before the Ashes though, England face the 'mighty' Bangladesh in 4 tests (2 home and away) where Adil Rashid should figure ahead of Monty Panesar if the selectors wish to experiment. After that England face an always colourful and passionate Pakistan side in the summer. England should be too good for Pakistan, but by the end of the series everyone will have heard of Mohammed Aamer who will be talked about as the next Wasim Akram. There's also the World Twenty20 to look forward to at the start of April. England will be edged out in the second round, with South Africa finally claiming their first ICC tournament trophy with AB De Villiers top scoring in the final.

Football: Well the biggest prize on offer this year is the World Cup, and as much as I’d love England to win it, Brazil look the best built team to win it and I can see them beating us in the semi-final on their way to winning the trophy. Don’t worry Ireland fans, France will not get anywhere near winning the tournament, after all Domenech can’t surley get them to another world cup final, can he? England and the FA are jubilant come the end of the year as the much maligned 2018 bid wins the rights to host the 2018 World Cup edging the Iberian bid by Portugal and Spain. On the domestic front, I think Chelsea will overcome their recent form and the lack of their African stars (Drobga basically) in the new year to just edge Manchester United to claim the Premiership. I've got a feeling Aston Villa will win something next year, think they may be losing finalists to Manchester United in the Carling Cup but can see them winning the FA Cup for some reason, edging out Liverpool in the final.

Speaking of Rafa Benitez, he'll still be in a job come the start of next season but will have to win big as I think they're just be edged out of the top 4 on the penultimate day of the season. Sadly for Bolton, Wolves and Portsmouth fans i think your teams will get relegated, Newcastle and WBA will romp to promotion with Cardiff edging out Nottingham Forest in the playoff final to join them in the top flight. In the other competitions that will be talked about, Real Madrid will go out in the Champions League semi-finals with their arch-rivals Barcelona beating Arsenal along the way to win the final at the Bernabéu. Valenica will also cap a good year for Spain in Europe by winning the Europa League, which should be a great conclusion to David Villa's career with the club. Next move England perhaps?

Motor Sport: Michael Schumacher's return to the sport to claim a remarkable 8th World Title will be the story of the next Formula 1 World Championship. Providing his Mercedes GP team are able to build on Brawn's success, you’d have to be insane to rule it not happening. A rejuvenated Fernando Alonso at Ferrari will look to beat Schumacher once again for the championship as the Italian team will challenge for this year's title. As for the Brits at McLaren, i think both Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button will challenge for this year with the 2008 Champion just edging out Alonso to claim his second world title.

In Touring Cars, providing he's signed up for next season James Plato will edge out Colin Turkington to claim the BTCC title. In the World Touring Car Champ, both Andy Priaulx and Rob Huff will win races, but will be beaten to the title by talented Brazilian Augusto Farfus. In Moto GP, a fully fit Casey Stoner will get back to winning ways and edge out the talented Jorge Lorenzo to claim the title. Valentino Rossi will see out his final year as a Yamaha rider before switching to a Ducati bike for 2011. James Toseland should bounce back well in Superbikes, but will be edged out by Aussie Chris Vermuelen to the title.

Rugby Union: In another fiercly competitive 6-Nations France will edge a startling England outfit to the title. I think it'll be slightly too much for Ireland and Wales who are probably the two most committed teams to watch in the 6-Nations. Andy Robinson's Scotland team should improve and it wouldn't surprise me if they give England a scare at Murrayfield like they've done famously over the last decade. On the domestic front Saracens are currently sitting top of the Guinness Premiership, but Northampton with Shane Geraghty i feel will end the season well and claim glory at Twickenham in the Final to claim a fine season for Jim Mallinder's team. Toulouse look well placed to win the Heineken Cup, but the Osprey's could be a dark-horse to win it.

Other Sports: Mark Selby to win the World Snooker Championships, with the only 147 in the tournament going to Ding Junhui. After Phil Taylor claims yet another PDC Darts Title, attention turns to the Lakeside where Tony O'Shea aka Silverback, claims the BDO World title. St Helens will win the Super League Final, whilst Wigan will claim prestigious Challenge Cup. Athletics fans will see Jessica Ennis and Phillips Idowu claim gold at the European Athletics Championship in Barcelona. Lisa Dobriskey in the 1500m should get a medal as should Christine Ohuruogu in the 400m.

Celtic Manor, in Wales will be the scene for Europe to retain the Ryder Cup and there's good chance of another European winner at the Masters in Augusta. Young Rory McIlroy will do the whole of Britain proud by making a real challenge at the Open before falling short on the last round. Cycling fans will also have good reason to cheer next year as Bradley Wiggins and Team Sky should have a good year on the UCI tour. Alberto Contador will storm to his third Tour de France title, but Wiggins will finish again in the top 10 whilst Mark Cavendish will fullfil his destiny and win the Green jersey. As for the Winter Olympics coming up in February, Team GB will claim three medals with one of them shockingly a gold. Last but not least Andy Murray will overcome the competition and reach two Grand Slam semi's falling short in 5 sets on both occasions.

Posted by Adam Dennehey, SportTrades Report Manager