BULLIESover

Big boys blasted changes vote

SUPER LEAGUE clubs have been accused of bullying in a bid to force through controversial changes to the game.

The RFL is also allegedly working “underhandedly” and has let down lower tier clubs who could even go out of existence if the new structure changes are voted through.

Those are just some of the claims made yesterday by a five-man group representing Championship and League One sides.

Featherstone chairman Mark Campbell (inset) said: “The RFL need to stand up and be the governing body. They’ve sat on the fence and they’ve worked with Super League underhandedly.”

Bradford managing director Andrew Chalmers also pointed the finger at Super League clubs. He said: “A campaign has now emerged with attempts to pressure vulnerable clubs into capitulating.

“As a result, a handful of clubs are undecided on how to vote.”

Batley chairman Kevin Nicholas also accused one

Super League club of threatening to withdraw its dual registration arrangement with a Championship side.

He said: “A club has been told if they don’t vote in favour, there will be no dual-reg and they will not be able to share training JUNIOR MOORS kept the Tigers hot on the heels of Wigan in the hunt for a home Grand Final play-off spot.

Their fourth win on the trot puts them a point behind second-placed Warriors, who face Warrington tonight.

This was a decent test for half the match, even though the Giants no longer have much to play for in the league.

The visitors led for most of the first half, after getting off to a flier with a second-minute try from Adam O’Brien.

Cas struck back with a touchdown from winger Greg Eden, his eighth in four games.

But boss Daryl Powell won’t have been happy with the sloppy way that they then let in Lee Gaskell for another try.

The Tigers have been working hard on defence, knowing it will be vital if they hope to get to a second successive Grand Final.

But they fell asleep for facilities. To me that is sinking pretty low.” The powder keg accusations are certain to light the touch paper to a heated RFL EGM in Manchester today. A vote will be taken on Super League’s proposals to ditch the controversial Super 8s system and to replace it with one-up, one-down promotion and relegation.

Super League clubs – minus Leeds who aren’t in agreement – claim the sport needs to be strengthened at the top to help the game as a whole.

But lower tier clubs say they “overwhelmingly intend” to vote against the proposals today. They fear Gaskell’s darting run, with Danny Brough adding his second conversion for a 12-4 lead.

A wonderful off-load from Mike McMeeken set up a Jake Webster try, with Paul McShane converting to cut the gap to two points.

Cas finally nudged ahead shortly before half-time when Moors crashed over and the fight then went out of the Giants.

James Clare got the second-half try-scoring under way, with McMeeken twisting his way over for another try.

Second-rower Moors added his second and Peter Mata’utia and Grant Millington also scored to make it five tries in 20 minutes. they will lose too much power and also lose out financially under the changes, once the current Sky TV deal expires in 2021.

A statement from the Championship/ League One advisory group said: “All funding reductions would fall squarely on the RFL, Championship, League One and community game, rendering an increasing number of clubs unviable.

“The RFL/Super League proposal doesn’t offer any positive vision for the future of the whole of the game.

“It is driven by protectionism and vested self-interest. It is a rotten solution, negative and defensive.”

The advisory group said they prefer Super League to be increased to 14 teams, with one-up, one-down, and a further play-off game.