Re: Round 1 - London (H) : Sun Feb 16, 2025 12:02 pm  

We need to laid down a marker today in terms of attitude and commitment for the season ahead. We are most people's favourites to win the league but with that comes added pressure and a determination from the opposition to claim a scalp.

We know now how competitive the Championship is and if attitude is a bit off you're likely to get beaten.

Re: Round 1 - London (H) : Sun Feb 16, 2025 4:50 pm  

Watched the game on the stream, great personally to save so much time on travel.

Solid win, Scurr was exceptional but controversially I thought Hallas was good at hooker (fire away)!

Re: Round 1 - London (H) : Sun Feb 16, 2025 5:22 pm  

TheBeast wrote:

Watched the game on the stream, great personally to save so much time on travel.

Solid win, Scurr was exceptional but controversially I thought Hallas was good at hooker (fire away)!

Hallas was very good at hooker, made some great runs from dummy-half. Thought Armitage showed a few glimpses of being a silly good acquisition too, really looking forward to seeing him on a quicker pitch later in the year.

Re: Round 1 - London (H) : Sun Feb 16, 2025 5:37 pm  

London impressed me with their strong running and defensively they put themselves about. There will be a few sore bodies on both sides after that game. A thought the ref let a lot go around the ruck and didn't seem bothered about players being onside. It led to quite a slow game and a bit of 'bashathon' between the forwards.

Scurr was exceptional once again, he seems to have taken on the mantle of Doro where his runs lift the side. Armitage showed some great touches and Holmes was a constant threat. Pretty satisfied with that result as I was worried at HT that this game might go the wrong way if London scored again and we started moving away from the gameplan.

Re: Round 1 - London (H) : Sun Feb 16, 2025 5:44 pm  

Tough start to the season, London very organised and well drilled. We were loose in the first half not building any pressure.
Second half we were more disciplined with ball built pressure which eventually told.
Scurr was excellent apart from his sin binning, Hallas did well with some go forward. Armitage showed some promise and Blake showed some class.
Plenty room for improvement but a win is a win this stage of the season.

Re: Round 1 - London (H) : Sun Feb 16, 2025 5:53 pm  

The sin bin was a bit needless but also frustrating as all 3 officials missed a clear knock on when London broke from deep in their half. The player even gave himself up and looked as surprised as anyone when the ref waved play on.

[Bullseye]

Re: Round 1 - London (H) : Sun Feb 16, 2025 6:05 pm  

Thought it was scrappy and a bit loose from us. I think we disrespected London a bit at times. Scurr took the ball up well but he didn't need to make the tackle he was sin binned for. I like the look or Armitage too.

Kicking game was awful. Apart from the one for Armitage's try we just turned the ball over with some very catchable kicks too many times. Lilley the main culprit.

All in all I thought London made it very difficult. They never gave up, just think fitness told in the end.

Re: Round 1 - London (H) : Sun Feb 16, 2025 6:08 pm  

It was a real grind, but the team dug deep to secure a hard-fought win against a very competitive London side who threw everything at us. The first half was far from ideal—we struggled for creativity, looked slow in attack, and couldn’t build any real momentum.

The introduction of Pele off the bench was the turning point for me. His impact completely shifted the game, giving us the platform we needed to take control. Defensively, it was great to keep them scoreless in the second half, showing real resilience under pressure.

One big takeaway from today’s game: Lilley cannot play in the halves this year. He was too slow and lacked the creativity we needed in key moments. If we want to be a real threat this season, that needs to be addressed.

Standout performances came from Blake, Armitage, Hallas, Holmes, Pele, and Taufua, who all played a massive role in earning us vital yards and keeping us on the front foot. It wasn’t pretty, but it was a tough, determined win—exactly the kind of performance that builds character for the season ahead.

Re: Round 1 - London (H) : Sun Feb 16, 2025 6:39 pm  

I think they call that one a slog. London well coached and were great defensively. We looked to be lacking energy and the conditions weren't helpful (my god it was cold)

Lilleys kicking game was awful. Meadows throwing interception starting to become a bit of a concern. Two today and one in pre-season.

Hallas did OK at Hooker but he's still not good enough. The penalty he conceded on the 5th was just brain dead and we won't get away with that against better opposition.

Think a few more fresh bodies next week required.

Re: Round 1 - London (H) : Sun Feb 16, 2025 8:27 pm  

Overall I feel somewhat disappointed.... The halves just lacked that creative spark. There was a lot of one man stuff. Felt a bit dour. But then I look at the fact we kept them to one score (despite London's boundless enthusiasm) so credit there. We are one win from one in the league and that's a positive. And i thought Hallas looked the sharpest he has in years. Also hats off to London's small but vocal following.