[brian2]

Re: Summarise the season : Wed Sep 20, 2017 7:34 am  

[quoteOn reflection that has been our advantage in a number of games, running away with it in the last 15, not skill or better quality players.][/quote]

that is a little harsh, our attack, especially around Sammut/Barthau and Api has been impressive and that has one us more games than fitness, falling asleep for 10-15 mins either side of half-time cost us games and meant we didn't win as comfortably as we should

Re: Summarise the season : Wed Sep 20, 2017 8:13 am  

In the early part of the season being pro made a huge difference. We could easily have lost at both Oldham and Swinton, in my opinion it was being full time that won us both those games. Take those two wins off and I suspect we'd be looking back a little more critically

Re: Summarise the season : Wed Sep 20, 2017 3:47 pm  

In the early part of the season being pro made a huge difference. We could easily have lost at both Oldham and Swinton, in my opinion it was being full time that won us both those games. Take those two wins off and I suspect we'd be looking back a little more critically

Add Fev at home in the league game to that list.

Re: Summarise the season : Wed Sep 20, 2017 7:41 pm  

brian2 wrote:

Ultimately slightly disappointing?

Poor start, but Henderson reacted well dropping Dixon/Sammut and others, and then a great run, with some really excellent attacking play.

in the end we fell short, we could/should have beaten Fev/Catalan in the Qualifiers - but a weakness throughout the season - falling asleep for 10/15 minute spells cost us.

Pluses - Walker, Sammut (after being dropped he has really impressed, great try taker and has really played for the team), Bienek, Barthau

Minuses - Junior, Purtell, Grant (never made the starting gate)

The basics of the squad is there now, though not sure what is happening with Api (hope he stays), Garside, Kear (?)

Next year - ideally a couple, or at least one, gnarled hard man - to lead the pack. Think we have missed Slyney/Thackery. And a big strong, and ideally fast centre. A good pre-season, no major injuries and I think we will be there or thereabouts

This.

Re: Summarise the season : Sat Sep 23, 2017 9:33 am  

Not the best finish to the season

Re: Summarise the season : Sun Oct 01, 2017 12:34 pm  

Sammut's really improved, but just needs to hold his nerve when kicking under pressure. We have the bones of a good squad and when we play our own game we look really impressive, Strange though that one of our most improved and indeed best player's kicking let us down a bit in the qualifiers.

Re: Summarise the season : Sun Oct 01, 2017 12:49 pm  

Think the difference with the kicking in the Qs for sammut was the pressure he was put under by the "better" teams.
Our frailty throughout has been the inability to win the ruck in defence or attack, meaning opposition defence gets set and they can read the next play much better. It's all about knees and elbows and quick ptb