Rugby League Championship One - the play-off system
Championship 1 POs
By Chris O'Brien,
January 5 2010
The South Wales Scorpions will play their opening fixture on February 28th at the Gnoll against Workington Town RLFC. Both clubs will be targeting promotion – but how does the play-off system work in rugby league's third tier?
Having enjoyed the dizzy heights of Super League at the Brewery Field for a season, rugby league fans in South Wales could be forgiven for not paying too much attention to the play-off system used in the re-branded Championship One.
Eleven teams will be battling it one in next season's Championship One, with the Scorpions lining up alongside established clubs like the York City Knights, Oldham Roughyeds and Doncaster RLFC.
At the end of the season, two clubs are promoted from the division and move up into the Championship. The division's winner is promoted automatically, with the other spot settled through a six-team play-off format.
The play-off gets underway with two elimination matches. The format of this is as follows:
A. 4th v. 7th
B. 5th v. 6th
The two winners then progress, whilst the losers are eliminated and will remain in Championship One the next season.
In the second week, the two winners' of elimination matches go head-to-head with the winner qualifying for the 'Final Qualifier' stage and the loser being eliminated. The other week two fixture sees the teams that finish second and third play one another. The winner goes straight through to the final. The loser is not eliminated - but instead must face the winner of the week-two elimination match the next week.
C. Winner of A v. Winner of B
D. 2nd v. 3rd
E. Winner of C v. Loser of D
The winner of Match E will then face the winner of match D in the Grand Final. The victor will join the Championship One table-toppers in sealing promotion, whilst the loser faces another season in the third tier.
F. The Grand Final - Winner of D v. Winner of E
So how will we do?
As it stands, supporters are finding it difficult to judge how the Scorpions will fare next season.
A tremendous amount of enthusiasm has been shown from fans and club officials alike, but until an announcement has been made regarding a Head Coach and player recruitment then it's hard to know what to expect.
Director Mark Rowley has, however, confirmed that the Scorpions will be aiming to win promotion to the Championship within two seasons.
What should the new club be aiming for next season? Join in the discussions on the messageboard.
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But you lads have to remember that there is a lot of good talent locally that can be utilised. We just need to find the players and the open trial that is coming up is crucial. It needs to be marketed well so that the good local players come along and show their stuff. Players from UWIC, the Welsh Conference and the Colleges should all be invited.
Also a fair bit of interest from last years Crusaders U18`s champions, the bulk of which would have made up the Crusaders U21 academy this year if they had stayed in South Wales.
Add these players to the reserves that are joining and there should be a lot of competition for places, which can only be good for the club.
Oh I can't wait until we start singing that!! =D
Well done you haven't even seen us play yet and your enthusiasm is infectious!!!
Time will tell of course!
Look at the Celtic Crusaders first year as a club. They nearly got promoted with several Welsh Conference players and...alot of Aussies.
I also meant to say if we get the Crusaders reserves aswell as the youngsters.
But seeing the Celtic Crusaders in their first season, not only did I develop a love for the game but, I didn't know what to expect regarding results and as I recall the Celtic Crusaders went of with a flyer!! Top of the league most of the season...I think.
Going to attend the trials. I hope there is a good selection of players there with different backgounds and skills they can bring to the game. Most of all tho i hope there is a strong thirst for the game as Wales as a nation is very Union orientated and a change is due. I have played union form the age of 7 and converted to league last 2 years playing in the conferance and i will be attending the trials open minded but with a hunger to get into the squad....i know there is alot of other players with the same hunger.