Got there in the end today : Sun Feb 11, 2018 6:48 pm  

Not the best game to watch today but the conditions did not help it was freezing and snow at times so credit to both teams there were not that many dropped balls considering.
We made some daft mistakes today but its early days need a better kicking game the 40/20 from Muzza apart!
Murray did well so did Fleming and Ed Barber had his best game for some time.
Work in progress it will be harder next week especially as they will be on the rebound of that amazing Barrow score!

Re: Got there in the end today : Sun Feb 11, 2018 7:22 pm  

A decent 2nd half performance and we did what we had to do disposing of one of the leagues poorer teams. Our forwards are looking pretty good especially the loan players. Maher and Douglas have been good in both games so far with Maher managing to bust the first tackle most of the time. Murray as we already know is a good player and adds a bit more quality to our team. I thought Fairbank also had his best game for us in a while especially in defence.

Clare faired no better than Hitchcock but once again this is probably down to the conditions and our style of rugby. He didnt let us down though. We defended very well again but to be fair Sheffield did not really offer up much and we roll on to a much tougher task next week.

Re: Got there in the end today : Sun Feb 11, 2018 8:05 pm  

We need to be faster off the line and our kick chase was slow. There was one point where we kicked on the 5th and ran forward then stopped and waited for the return runner to get to us. I thought our running and passing in general was slow and laboured. We really need to speed up in nearly all departments. I felt our defence was quite over all
The Eagles first try was very soft and could have been prevented. But overall I think we have a good basis for a squad that will compete this year. Hope Grady is ok. With Toronto drawing I’m sure they will hit us all guns blazing. Looking forward to next Sunday but with less snow

Re: Got there in the end today : Sun Feb 11, 2018 10:14 pm  

All been said above and it was tougher than the final score suggests, we had to earn it for the full 80 defending those was it 6 or so back to back sets without conceding in the first half and quite a few in the second, although Eagles didn't look too threatening they didn't give up either.

Re: Got there in the end today : Sun Feb 11, 2018 10:27 pm  

Pleased for Woody . He has previously played Super League at half back but it's taken 2 years to recognise that. My own view is that he has never been given a fair crack at the whip. No wonder we missed Rawsthorne. If they don't hit him hard next week his quick feet will leave Tyrer for dead.

Re: Got there in the end today : Mon Feb 12, 2018 9:25 am  

We don't help ourselves. Stupid offload by Fairbank on first tackle to Sheffield player. Our kicking game was poor , don't think we had any repeat sets.
On a positive note Sheffield threw a lot at us but our defense stood firm. Barber caused them problems. Murray was really good. Sharp safe at fullback. We really need a halfback with a good kicking game ( Adam Brook).
It was never going to be a classic with weather but we managed to win and that's all that matters. Improvement needed for Toronto.

Re: Got there in the end today : Mon Feb 12, 2018 11:58 am  

Greg Florimos Boots wrote:

A decent 2nd half performance and we did what we had to do disposing of one of the leagues poorer teams. Our forwards are looking pretty good especially the loan players. Maher and Douglas have been good in both games so far with Maher managing to bust the first tackle most of the time. Murray as we already know is a good player and adds a bit more quality to our team. I thought Fairbank also had his best game for us in a while especially in defence.

Clare faired no better than Hitchcock but once again this is probably down to the conditions and our style of rugby. He didnt let us down though. We defended very well again but to be fair Sheffield did not really offer up much and we roll on to a much tougher task next week.

Thought Clare showed up quite well,but at a total loss to find any justification for his inclusion.No mention of Woody Greg ? think you were in the minority who didn't see him as a 6,glad Trueman was unavailable..Murray mom for me.

Re: Got there in the end today : Mon Feb 12, 2018 1:35 pm  

A similar pitch against Toronto please to even it up. I would imagine Barrow pitch was like a bog?
Good day to play in the pack yesterday. Barber went very well at Centre. Scotty a stone overweight IMO and he's getting caught out. Grix also quiet. Stick with Woody and try get Trueman as his half back partner . Play Scott at loose. 4 forwards on bench.

Re: Got there in the end today : Mon Feb 12, 2018 2:50 pm  

may get shot down for this - but i didnt think JWH showed up as well at half as some are making out. (i thought he was good, just not THAT good). i really wanted to see him throwing out some quality passes as thats what we are missing, we have someone that can step in johnston but i havent seen a half with a top drawer passing game since we had craven.

that said I'd like to see him keep his half spot and see where he goes with it, as i reckon he's still a better all rounder than Jonno.

on the passing game - i watched the highlights of the reserves game and thought Cullimore had a better passing game from the ruck than either of our current hookers and Punchard seemed to have a quality pair of hands! (jack fairbank looked a handful too)

on the game - i thought barber looked very good, murray was a monster as was fleming and i thought clare looked ok to say he only ever got to touch the ball from the PTB.

Re: Got there in the end today : Mon Feb 12, 2018 2:55 pm  

Clare got a running chance by Skircoat first half but managed to lose possession somehow.