Right one more space! First come, first served and I'll arrange the groups upon that application. Hopefully tomorrow if some keen player wants to test themselves!

All 15 filled and ready to be split...will do it shortly

The groups are in!!! I have attached H1lLL5’s pick for most likely to generate group excitement and cause some carnage within the groups.

Group 1:
Maryland Drivers
Hebridean Academicals
Erdington Doleys
Morgantown Mad Dogs

Maryland Drivers are the highest rated in the tournament and will be the ones to watch. A 1.1 team from Sea Devils looking to bring the wrath of the ocean…or will it be more or a tranquil lake?

Looking to lift the trophy for our Northern cousins is the Hebridean Academicals. Athos is an experienced head who knows how to craft a win. A team not to be underestimated and I am expecting a good old fashioned duel with these boys over RZA’s Calcutta Cup.

Next we have myself. Erdington Doleys. Recent exploits have led me to punch above my weight and topple Torchwood Aliens, come within a score of Shard End Sharks and make The Notorious Pub Gang sit up and take notice. But that’s now the past. This is the present and I am sure none of the other teams will care about the past, just putting the wins together. EN GARDE!

Morgantown Mad Dogs round the group off. A team with a 60% rating with only 369,000 per week in wages. WOW! This guy clearly knows what he is doing with his team and will be a dark horse for not only this group but the entire tournament! Do not drop your guard Group 1!!

H1LL5’s pick: Athos’s Accies


Group 2:
Golden Taints
Memphis Bees
SF
Munich Saints

Golden Taints open this group and I know from experience they are a strong outfit. Looking good in regular season and I expect to make a strong run in this tournament. The team to beat in this group for sure.

Memphis Bees won my last cup and will be keenly looking to defend their crown. A win over a young Doleys team in the final hasn’t been forgotten by the Jobless Wonders. Strong outfit with a lot of experience. Could be the team most likely to topple the Taints in this group, but anything can happen.

SF is the third entry and looking strong in the regular season so definitely the dark horse of this group. Could quietly and unassumingly cause an upset. Question is, do we want to face the favourite or the team who beat the favourite? Keep an eye on them.

Rounding off Group 2 is Munich Saints. A very new team who seem to be building VERY well. Lowest rating in the group shouldn’t worry the German outfit and with an average age of 23 can we see a repeat of the German youth side who took the World Cup by storm?! No pressure on these boys and could be a banana peel for the others.

H1LL5’s pick: Sedrick73’s Saints


Group 3:
GLADIATORS
Herrington Hurricanes
.95 Colts
Södermanland Samurais

This is for me the toughest group. All teams are of a high quality and I can’t predict how I think this will go…

First up, GLADIATORS. Five trophies to his name already and a good rating to back that up. I don’t expect this team to give up even a single yard easy to any of their opponents and although it is a well-rounded group, the team to beat is the Italians.

Next, Herrington Hurricanes. A team I fear and with good reason. A 1.1 side running at 5-1 is not to be taken lightly. Capable of going 3-0 but also 0-3 in this group. GLADIATOR’S biggest threat.

.95 Colts are an interesting addition to this group. Their rating doesn’t show how dominant they have been this season so far. Relishing the challenge no doubt, the French side are easily capable of toppling the other 3 teams on their day.

Södermanland Samurais finish this group. The underdogs of this group yet still made playoffs last season and indeed the previous two before that. A team I am glad has entered this tournament because they provide real competition and a genuine chance to win this group. Don’t underestimate.

H1LL5’s pick: MonsterT95’s .95 Colts


Group 4:
Adventurers
Comagena Lions
Dortmund Griffins
n00bs on drugs

Final group headed up by the Adventurers. I see it a tall ask to topple this team from 1st spot. Admirals 1.1 is one of the hardest leagues in RZA and to boast a 3-1 record is no easy task. For me tournament favourites.

Next we have Comagena Lions. Four times group winners in regular season play and a defence to boast about. I don’t see many points on the board against this outfit and that could be what carries them through each game. A hard opposition for anyone.

Dortmund Griffins are the third team and they seem a well-rounded, well-invested outfit capable of achieving results. Their regular season dominance is shown in their record of 4-1 and I see them as genuine contenders to progress. Lions and Adventurers would be foolish not to be aware of the Griffins.

Finally, to complete our tournament is n00bs on drugs from Germany. Joint lowest rated with the Samurais they have no pressure going into this tournament. Coming on a lot in recent times and I am anticipating a good show. Let’s hope they have a plan for this because they have 3 good opponents coming up! But the underdog can achieve as I have recently proven.

H1LL5’s pick: Alasdaire’s Griffins


Well there we are, groups are in and ready to go. Can we all please ensure we have the right credits available and we can begin right away. Let’s have us a clean tournament (whilst the referee is looking!), let’s have some banter within the groups and let’s see who is the best Rookie Challenger!!
GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL!!

Good luck to everyone except when you play me!

Obsessed much maybe I'm calling the wrong person in the pool team bitter

You're the one following me on the forums. I'm beginning to think there is a shrine to me in you home dressing room! And no not the toilet before you say

Ha, Ha - I think you've had too much of the Scottish golden nectar! Indeed, we look forward to the 'Calcutta Cup', but I don't fancy our chances that much, unless it's Midgy season (May- September) we don't have much of a bite!

ONE MORE PLACE HAS COME UP!

SF have made a withdrawal from the competition so we have a spare space in the tournament! First come first served!

And we have our final entrant into Group 2!!! JAXINBURGH STEELCATS

A side hailing from Admirals with a pretty healthy competition focus. Previous appearances in friendly cups show they're no stranger to these competitions and overall should be a contender within Group 2. Last isn't ever least as we all know so let's see what they can do!

Group 2:
Golden Taints
Memphis Bees
Jaxinburgh SteelCats
Munich Saints

Starts at: 2017-01-25

Group 1

Erdington Doleys vs Maryland Drivers

Anyone who knows me, knows I trust in my team explicitly. Each and every game in this group will be difficult and this opener is no exception. Difficult to call for me and Beckos gives me the win (my go to when unsure is Beckos) but I don't agree with the margin. I'll be reserved in round 1. Doleys by 3

Morgantown Mad Dogs vs Hebredian Academicals

A true match up of experience in week 1. A tie both myself and the Drivers will look to after our game has finished for next weeks round. My head says Accies but there is a part of me who thinks Mad Dogs have what it takes. I think this game will be very end-to-end with defences deciding the outcome. Academicals by 7

Group 2

Jaxinburgh Steelcats vs Munich Saints

Welcome to the late comers in the Steelcats and straight into the flames as they take on the much favoured German side. They will have to pull a lot out to win in Munich but they have proven themselves no push overs. I don't see this being a breeze for the Saints but it's hard to see past them. Saints by 10

The Golden Taints vs Memphis Bees

Many people's group decider is in week 1. A VERY TOUGH GAME. I find it hard to pick between these two and I don't envy the Bees facing the Taints as I have them in my division and am looking at having to climb over them in playoffs for any success. But the ever strong Bees will be happy to stop any Taints momentum early. I found out personally how strong the Bees are at home and I think this will give them the edge. Bees by 6

Group 3

GLADIATORS vs Herrington Hurricanes

The tournament opener today and the opener for the one group I truly cannot split. Calling these games will be the hardest part of my write ups and I can't split these strong strong sides. Both of these sides are in my front runners to win the tournament so for this week I'm going to trust Beckos. GLADIATORS by 6

.95Colts vs Södermanland Samurais

Same applies from above. I can't call this. Samurais are strong at home and will make sure their French opponents don't enjoy their time in Sweden. But the .95Colts aren't typically fazed by away days. Beckos again. Colts by 1!!!!(That's how close)

Group 4

Adventurers vs Comagena Lions

Two fellow Admirals who are esteemed enough to have climbed to 1.1! These two met only yesterday in an exact rematch today and the only tie in this group outside of Germany. Lions will be hoping not exactly thought...Adventurers enjoyed the most of the ball and most of the points winning by a comfortable 38-20. Based upon the Lion's pedigree we shouldn't see the same margin but my group favourites are also favourites here. Adventurers by 10

Dortmund Griffins vs n00bs on drugs

The German derby in week 1 and I am sure neither will want to lose. The Griffins are looking strong in the league and good on form coming into this tie. n00bs are struggling a little but with 2 wins in 3 they could be on for a comeback. They need some pretty strong drugs to take on the Griffins though. Favourites to win and my favourites to upset Adventurers. Griffins by 14