Quote Originally Posted by Hunter403 View Post
In other news, the cup and plate are on again this weekend. First round winners are in the cup. First round losers are in the plate. Let's hope that next year that if you lose, you are out and this plate comp goes. Some of the mismatches in the plate are just pointless games that could result in score more in line with rugby league than football or in injury with no benefit to anyone.
I agree the outcome hasn’t been as intended by northern. However I think the concept has merit.

Perhaps next year they could look at an England FA cup style concept where different levels of teams are brought in progressively.
Eg, community teams could play a/some rounds (depending on entries), then the tier 2 clubs come in, then the tier 1 come in towards the end.

The whole concept falls down however when a club forfeits every age group when drawn away to a regional club as happened this year.

Another option may be entering the zones community rep teams (the ones that went to Tamworth) to give that initiative more merit, as opposed to community teams, though I note Medowie were comfortable winners over Singleton in the 14s Plate.

All in all, I’m not normally a big fan of many things northern does, but in this instance I applaud them for trying something new