Swinton best of the minnows
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Moving the Powergen Challenge Cup later into the rugby league season - the final this year will be in August, rather than the traditional May - will have a number of effects.
Moving the Powergen Challenge Cup later into the rugby league season - the final this year will be in August, rather than the traditional May - will have a number of effects.
Principally, it will stop the game's oldest competition feeling like a pre-season tournament and restore some of the gloss that has been missing in recent years.
There is one aspect of the cup's magic that will not be encouraged by the change, however. Giant-killing has never played as big a part as it does in the FA Cup, for instance, but it has always been lurking in the background. The seasons since the switch to summer rugby have been a window of opportunity for smaller clubs, as their season started earlier than Super League and they might just catch the big guns before they got into their stride.
Super League teams have now played eight games before getting embroiled in the cup, so the opportunities for catching one of them unawares have shrunk. There are six ties today which cast Super League clubs against National League opposition, and none of them look upset material.
Bradford, despite their uneven start to the season, should be good enough to win at Featherstone. Leigh have had a torrid start in Super League, but Batley do not look good enough to eliminate them. Hunslet are surely overmatched against London, and Wigan should have too much for Whitehaven.
That leaves two ties which seem to hold the most intriguing possibilities. Roch-dale Hornets have been scoring tries for fun in the Northern Rail Cup and could punish Salford if their Super League neighbours are not focused.Widnes have been unimpressive this season and could be vulnerable. On the face of itthey will have been relieved to draw a side from NL2, but Swinton's early-season form makes them the choice of several observers to go closest to causing an upset.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments