Re: saints post mach : Sat Feb 06, 2016 10:09 am  

Agreed with all the above, Rapira is a good 'un. Thought larnes defence had geatly improved, let's me honest a win last night would have been a bit of a surprise. I would think anymore injuries before easter though and signings would become a must. Grix might be out for a while. And to the guy stoid behind me that got it into his head the team was fat in the second half, particularly smurph, you know nothing pal. They looked fit to me, smurph no different than last year, fittest they've been according to Thorman. down to 15 in those conditions l thought we stood up pretty well and you should get behind your team instead of slagging them off in the first game of the season.

Re: saints post mach : Sat Feb 06, 2016 11:08 am  

Poor game plan, the weather was poor but one up up the middle against a big pack was never going to do it. Our outside edge didn't receive the ball out wide and our second phase runners didn't materialise.


However.
Discipline. Cost. Us.

Same story as last season. Piggy back the opposition up field, give them metres they haven't had to work for, in the meanwhile kicking early in the tackle count.
Less possession+ less field position= loss.

Re: saints post mach : Sat Feb 06, 2016 11:53 am  

Some pleasing stats from players who we really needed to step up. 44 tackles and 7m per carry from larne, Ollie Roberts 28 tackles and Ovwr 12m per carry(mostly from that fabulous break- what a shame he didn't kick it!) Bruno 23 tackles and 9m per carry- great improvement in going forward. Hinchcliffe 39 tackles, Johnson 33 tackles.
Can't fault the hard work I don't think.

Re: saints post mach : Sat Feb 06, 2016 12:49 pm  

bad discipline again from us, connor to the fore on that front in the first half , saints scoring from pens.

we showed some good flashes of rugby in parts but all undone by above.

walsh had a great game and kicked us to death.. how many did they score off kicks!

rapira went well for us.

patrick....the knock on king!!! even a season at wigan hasnt sorted this persistent problem he has to hold onto the ball

injuries mounting up, well done the new backroom staff.. good start to the new regime

Re: saints post mach : Sat Feb 06, 2016 1:38 pm  

brearley84 wrote:

bad discipline again from us, connor to the fore on that front in the first half , saints scoring from pens.

we showed some good flashes of rugby in parts but all undone by above.

walsh had a great game and kicked us to death.. how many did they score off kicks!

rapira went well for us.

patrick....the knock on king!!! even a season at wigan hasnt sorted this persistent problem he has to hold onto the ball

injuries mounting up, well done the new backroom staff.. good start to the new regime

Walsh must wish he could play against you every week !!
In all seriousness, I thought you were a bit disappointing but it's very early days. Thought Ellis offered more than Brough to be honest. Was Rapira the forward with the headguard? If so, he made some very strong carries.

Re: saints post mach : Sat Feb 06, 2016 3:10 pm  

jools wrote:

Poor game plan, the weather was poor but one up up the middle against a big pack was never going to do it. Our outside edge didn't receive the ball out wide and our second phase runners didn't materialise.


However.
Discipline. Cost. Us.

Same story as last season. Piggy back the opposition up field, give them metres they haven't had to work for, in the meanwhile kicking early in the tackle count.
Less possession+ less field position= loss.

Discipline did cost us I agree.

It takes a big effort to get 30 metres upfield.

Why do we throw it all away so often?

Not only does it give ground away, it also relieves any pressure you have built and gives the oppo a bit of a lift as it did yesterday.

The frustrating thing is we just don't seem to learn.

Until we do we are going to struggle.

I did notice Hinchcliffe 'calming' Connor down after he got involved after one of their tries.

If Connor has any sense he'll listen every time Hinchcliffe talks and more importantly put the advice into action on the field. There's mongrel and stupidity.

He's been there done that (not sure if he's got the tee shirt).

Re: saints post mach : Sat Feb 06, 2016 3:12 pm  

JonB95 wrote:

Walsh must wish he could play against you every week !!
In all seriousness, I thought you were a bit disappointing but it's very early days. Thought Ellis offered more than Brough to be honest. Was Rapira the forward with the headguard? If so, he made some very strong carries.

We were and yes he is.

Re: saints post mach : Sun Feb 07, 2016 2:41 pm  

Not too downbeat.

Conditions were biblical 1st half, where I thought we were in it, and looked forceful down the middle and in fits and starts looked like putting a few things together. We ran out of steam in second half, with hard 1st half and reshuffles catching up with us. Added into the fact that saints, despite not being vintage are still a top drawer side.

Rapira looks quality. Did more minutes than I expected, ran it in hard, showed good hands a few times and looked settled in in game 1.

Hinchcliffe looked steady, and involved throughout. He'll improve as he works on the plays more and more, and our lot learn what runs etc he likes.

Some plus points from the usual, and nothing to worry about too much. We look much better prepped than start of last season anyway. We've been lucky with injuries for a while now, so we need to roll up our sleeves and crack on. All the young ups stepped up well.

I think we can hit top 6 by end of regular season, and as long as we're within touching distance of top 4, could get a crack at OT. I'd settle for that. Hinchcliffe will be worth his weight in gold at crunch time of season. If we can add some quality depth through the season (I'd take a real good centre), and give the likes of Connor, leeming, Simpson, Johnson, Roberts and mason real game time we'll be in fine fettle. Oh and a cup run would be nice.

Good away following, with decent atmosphere again

Re: saints post mach : Sun Feb 07, 2016 4:19 pm  

We have to be in the top 4 to have a crack not within touching distance !!

Good post though, summed up perfectly, no need for knee jerks !