: Sun Mar 22, 2009 11:21 am  

Jimmybull wrote:

Im sorry but it sounds like we are a million miles away from even thinking about competing with leeds.

Indeed.

It seems we have a "good two", "mediocre ten" and a "bad two" in SL this season.

The challenge for the coaching staff and team is to be the best of that mediocre bunch.

: Sun Mar 22, 2009 11:33 am  

Bully_Boxer wrote:

People talk as though the Catalan tries were wrongly disallowed and this somehow meant we 'stole a win'. But without seeing the game could it be possible that at least some of the tries were saved due to good defence?

Perhaps we got the rub of the green, but it's about bloody time we got some video ref decision going our way! The most important thing last night was getting a result to take some pressure out our play. We got a fine win away in France, which is still an intimidating place to play as anyone else who has been will confirm.

...is the right answer.

Our resident Jeremiahs are experts at catching our lot doing things wrong; maybe, just maybe, they can try and catch them doing things right for a change? Dunno about others, but I find the latter a lot more satisfying.

: Sun Mar 22, 2009 12:07 pm  

Bully_Boxer wrote:

People talk as though the Catalan tries were wrongly disallowed and this somehow meant we 'stole a win'. But without seeing the game could it be possible that at least some of the tries were saved due to good defence?

Perhaps we got the rub of the green, but it's about bloody time we got some video ref decision going our way! The most important thing last night was getting a result to take some pressure out our play. We got a fine win away in France, which is still an intimidating place to play as anyone else who has been will confirm.

That is not my point. My point is people getting all excited over 1 win from 5.

No I didn't see the VR decision tries, however, what I said was would they have stood if there'd been no VR to refer to and the fact is scored or not our defense is still substandard as Cats turned 18-6 to 18-18 in a very short space of time and it took us til the last seconds of the game to win it

: Sun Mar 22, 2009 12:11 pm  

Roofaldo wrote:

That is not my point. My point is people getting all excited over 1 win from 5.

No I didn't see the VR decision tries, however, what I said was would they have stood if there'd been no VR to refer to and the fact is scored or not our defense is still substandard as Cats turned 18-6 to 18-18 in a very short space of time and it took us til the last seconds of the game to win it

Hmm. I agree it was profoundly disappointing. But away from home and against a team who finished above us last season - not sure how you or anyone who was not there can say that just now?

: Sun Mar 22, 2009 12:34 pm  

Roofaldo wrote:

That is not my point. My point is people getting all excited over 1 win from 5.

No I didn't see the VR decision tries, however, what I said was would they have stood if there'd been no VR to refer to and the fact is scored or not our defense is still substandard as Cats turned 18-6 to 18-18 in a very short space of time and it took us til the last seconds of the game to win it

Getting excited about 1win out of 5.. No.

Celebrating a win at a tough ground to play at.. yes.

Have you been to the Gilbert Brutus? It's a very hostile place for any SL side to play in. So that's why most fans are happy with the result, if it'd had been Salford at Odsal we were talking about.. then you may have more of a point.

: Sun Mar 22, 2009 1:07 pm  

Roofaldo wrote:

That is not my point. My point is people getting all excited over 1 win from 5.

No I didn't see the VR decision tries, however, what I said was would they have stood if there'd been no VR to refer to and the fact is scored or not our defense is still substandard as Cats turned 18-6 to 18-18 in a very short space of time and it took us til the last seconds of the game to win it

and yet for the hull kr game and arguably the hudds one our defense was very strong. Not sure whats happened to make it so much worse since. maybe too much emphasis on scoring and hence making more mistakes?

: Sun Mar 22, 2009 1:54 pm  

Having just seen the SL show we did indeed show some good defence for some of the disallowed tries.

Also pleased for Jeffries who evaded the tackle of one Greg Bird to set up the Halley try! Some good tries scored for the Bulls, just need to tighten up the defence. Hopefully we'll improve again now for Cas away.

: Sun Mar 22, 2009 2:01 pm  

Well those tries did not disallow themselves - some last-ditch defence and foul play by Cats did. Although guess there was risk of a penalty try with the Morro ball-steal - although at least it was robust defence.

The tries we scored were pretty good, and that last one especially - good work by Jeffries.

Hard to read too much into it from the clips we saw, but did look a bit like Halley was under the cosh a bit until right at the end, and Jeffries was having good game? Although I realise its heresy in some quarters to suggest such things?

: Sun Mar 22, 2009 4:26 pm  

Roofaldo wrote:

That is not my point. My point is people getting all excited over 1 win from 5.

No I didn't see the VR decision tries, however, what I said was would they have stood if there'd been no VR to refer to and the fact is scored or not our defense is still substandard as Cats turned 18-6 to 18-18 in a very short space of time and it took us til the last seconds of the game to win it

Er...is it? Love him or loathe him, these are some extracts from Dave Craven's report:

Dave Craven who in his title said Heroic defence wins it for Bulls wrote:

Shell-shocked Catalans boss Kevin Walters said the “fate of the gods” conspired to see his side miss out against Bradford.

He got that wrong – Morrison, Platt, Sykes, Jeffries and Deacon are just mere mortals. They all combined to deny the blood-scenting hosts with some heroic defence though and deliver a richly-deserved first Super League win for the Bulls.

Dave Craven then wrote:

Defence wins matches – and anyone who thought this Bulls side has no desire or character are sadly mistaken. It’s just a pity more fans weren’t there to see that enthusiasm and dedication.

and then, with words which will not impress Newton'sw critics on here wrote:

But back they came. With almost their first attack since Tadulala’s effort, Terry Newton – nearing his influential best again – burrowed over from dummy half in the 74th minute, leaving Sykes with a straightforward kick to level.

But obviously Craven saw a different game to you? Oh hang on...

And is that the same Platt, Sykes, Jefferies and Decaon who have been getting such a slating on here?

: Sun Mar 22, 2009 4:31 pm  

Adeybull wrote:

Although guess there was risk of a penalty try with the Morro ball-steal - although at least it was robust defence.

Didn't think they could give penalty try for a two man steal anymore? Pretty sure they changed the rule recently...