Re: BBC/Challenge Cup

THE 18th Man · Post by **THE 18th Man** » Mon May 23, 2011 4:25 am

i dont mind Claire Balding's presenting of the CC and i think Dave Woods does a good job of calling the action but apart from that BBC is very weak when it comes to good value tv for Rugby League, we all see it advertised the SL show on at different times every sunday and if you want a repeat watch it at 4am, ESPN had coverage of the FA Cup Final and did a whole day of build up and post match reaction, if ESPN got the rights to the CC and did half of the coverage they did for the FA Cup Final then i would be delighted if they go the rights. i know we all want RL to get exposure on national tv but people are going to be put off by the way BBC showcase it anyway

Wes · Post by **Wes** » Mon May 23, 2011 11:54 am

Wow suprised about the sticking up for Clare Balding, Anyone remember a couple of years ago when she was talking to Paul Sculthorpe and she said something like "I feel sorry for the players it must get so hot in them scrums" Scully looked at her like what are you on lol, the beeb need to sell it better IMO and have a better team for it but I can understand why they do what they do.

cpwigan · Post by **cpwigan** » Mon May 23, 2011 3:52 pm

Unfortunately we need the Beeb or ITV.

ancientnloyal · Post by **ancientnloyal** » Mon May 23, 2011 5:09 pm

Clare is trying and it's good to see. Problem is there are a lack of rugby league presenters on the beeb and at least she's trying and getting more informative over these years.

John Quear has to go... Problem is though, lack of professional commentary in the BBC ranks. French and Woods - thats it... and Frenchy won't be round professionally much longer will he? Shows a lack of media investment for our sport

the winky one · Post by **the winky one** » Mon May 23, 2011 5:11 pm

Yes Nathan thats the one he was so enthusiastic, only downside he was a Saints fan... Oh well, can't have everything

Panchitta Marra · Post by **Panchitta Marra** » Wed May 25, 2011 12:18 am

cherry.pie wrote:Clare Balding is probably the best part of the BBC coverage! As others have already said she's an RL convert and she's genuinely enthusiastic about the game.As a presenter she's very good because she doesn't give her input she merely asks the questions of the guests. She's well spoken, doesn't talk in silly cliches and is a recognisable face supporting rugby league.
She's also a hell of a lot better than Eddie Hemmings!

Dave Woods is the best commentator but he's still got a bit to learn when it comes to the game. It's obvious that he's an experienced commentator though.

The problem tends to lie with the others. Jonathan Davies once had good insight into the game but now he's out of touch. Ray French is a terrible commentator and can't even get players names correct. John Kear embarrassed himself with similar mistakes that you wouldn't expect from someone directly involved with the game.
Brian Noble is pretty good in that role. He's much better on the TV than he is in a coaching role.

The sport of rugby league could do with finding a good young commentator who isn't out of touch with the game like Eddie, Stevo, French and Davies, has genuinely good insights and knows what they're talking about and can describe the games like the best commentators from other sports. Unfortunately I can't see that happening for a long time yet.

100% Spot on Cherry, Claire Balding is Rugby League through and through.
Pitty the blinkered RL fans cant see this.

josie andrews · Post by **josie andrews** » Wed May 25, 2011 9:35 am

Panchitta Marra wrote:
cherry.pie wrote:Clare Balding is probably the best part of the BBC coverage! As others have already said she's an RL convert and she's genuinely enthusiastic about the game.As a presenter she's very good because she doesn't give her input she merely asks the questions of the guests. She's well spoken, doesn't talk in silly cliches and is a recognisable face supporting rugby league.
She's also a hell of a lot better than Eddie Hemmings!

Dave Woods is the best commentator but he's still got a bit to learn when it comes to the game. It's obvious that he's an experienced commentator though.

The problem tends to lie with the others. Jonathan Davies once had good insight into the game but now he's out of touch. Ray French is a terrible commentator and can't even get players names correct. John Kear embarrassed himself with similar mistakes that you wouldn't expect from someone directly involved with the game.
Brian Noble is pretty good in that role. He's much better on the TV than he is in a coaching role.

The sport of rugby league could do with finding a good young commentator who isn't out of touch with the game like Eddie, Stevo, French and Davies, has genuinely good insights and knows what they're talking about and can describe the games like the best commentators from other sports. Unfortunately I can't see that happening for a long time yet.
100% Spot on Cherry, Claire Balding is Rugby League through and through.
Pitty the blinkered RL fans cant see this.

Totally agree, she is an avid fan of our game.

Panchitta Marra · Post by **Panchitta Marra** » Fri May 27, 2011 6:07 pm

josie andrews wrote:
Panchitta Marra wrote:
cherry.pie wrote:Clare Balding is probably the best part of the BBC coverage! As others have already said she's an RL convert and she's genuinely enthusiastic about the game.As a presenter she's very good because she doesn't give her input she merely asks the questions of the guests. She's well spoken, doesn't talk in silly cliches and is a recognisable face supporting rugby league.
She's also a hell of a lot better than Eddie Hemmings!

Dave Woods is the best commentator but he's still got a bit to learn when it comes to the game. It's obvious that he's an experienced commentator though.

The problem tends to lie with the others. Jonathan Davies once had good insight into the game but now he's out of touch. Ray French is a terrible commentator and can't even get players names correct. John Kear embarrassed himself with similar mistakes that you wouldn't expect from someone directly involved with the game.
Brian Noble is pretty good in that role. He's much better on the TV than he is in a coaching role.

The sport of rugby league could do with finding a good young commentator who isn't out of touch with the game like Eddie, Stevo, French and Davies, has genuinely good insights and knows what they're talking about and can describe the games like the best commentators from other sports. Unfortunately I can't see that happening for a long time yet.
100% Spot on Cherry, Claire Balding is Rugby League through and through.
Pitty the blinkered RL fans cant see this.
Totally agree, she is an avid fan of our game.

And she never holds back from showing it too Josie.
So what if she does make the odd mistake, all sports commentators make an OOPS now and again.
I just love her enthusiasm for the game of Rugby League.
Keep it up Claire " Just lovin it".

the_Warrior_in_Brum · Post by **the_Warrior_in_Brum** » Tue May 31, 2011 1:27 pm

With all the celebrities in the world on board the, BEEB will never be successful in providing good RL outside broad casts for the following reason.
A very good friend of mine, an O.B. camera Person working at the game openly admits of knowing nothing about the game and therefore is never in a position to anticipate moves or to be alert to the action, needs more training and experience. I also know Ray French quite well, good teacher, nice man but Ray! Please come out of the 20th century. The game is not the one you and I played.