[Bullseye]

Re: vs. Batley Bulldogs (H) : Sun Jun 09, 2019 7:16 pm  

Ironically I thought we looked to do more with the ball in the first half than we had in weeks. Attempted offloads and everything. That seemed to contribute to the errors but it was better to watch.

Our first two tries were down to quick hands down the left as well. Makes a change.

Why didn't we do it in better conditions when the ball was easier to catch I don't know.

Thought that moving Mini to loose forward helped a great deal. Both halfbacks played better and Ryan was great defensively. It was the defensive effort that stood out. We had a lot of sets on our line and did well. Batley didn't offer much but kept at it. They look lacking in ideas and coming from seeing us that's saying something.

Thought Storton had one of his best games. Man of the match for me.

Re: vs. Batley Bulldogs (H) : Sun Jun 09, 2019 7:43 pm  

Wildie playing out of position was very good I thought; kept things moving and had a few good kicks too.

Re: vs. Batley Bulldogs (H) : Sun Jun 09, 2019 8:02 pm  

Bullseye wrote:

Ironically I thought we looked to do more with the ball in the first half than we had in weeks. Attempted offloads and everything. That seemed to contribute to the errors but it was better to watch.

Our first two tries were down to quick hands down the left as well. Makes a change.

Why didn't we do it in better conditions when the ball was easier to catch I don't know.

Thought that moving Mini to loose forward helped a great deal. Both halfbacks played better and Ryan was great defensively. It was the defensive effort that stood out. We had a lot of sets on our line and did well. Batley didn't offer much but kept at it. They look lacking in ideas and coming from seeing us that's saying something.

Thought Storton had one of his best games. Man of the match for me.

Thank god you said this! I was just reading this forum and wondering if I’d watched a different first half? In that first 20 minutes we played more attacking rugby than I have seen in the past 2-3 games. We actually used dummy runners and tested Batley’s inside defence. We tried offloading more as you stated.

The one thing I thought we didn’t do quite so well was play the conditions better. I’d have liked to have seen more kicks bouncing into touch than the up and under’s we were doing especially after Scott caught the first 2-3.

Agreed on the defensive effort. In relation to Ryan the only thing I think he lacks at FB is the poachers instinct of a Withers or McNally. But his positional play is great, as is his last man defence.

Roche actually played okay today and took the ball in well. Oakes showed why he was a wingers centre and reclaimed some form that he had in 2017. His reading of Batley’s attack was great too! DFG was brilliant today and finished well! There were one or two instances where I thought Farrell could have moved the ball on but he took the tackle, but tbf he made the right decision and played the conditions.

Overall a very pleasing performance. Great to get the 0 for Batley. But let’s not get excited. Still lots to improve on. But put’s us in a good position.

Looking forward to Keyes, Evans and Hitchcox returning to reserves duty next week!

Re: vs. Batley Bulldogs (H) : Sun Jun 09, 2019 9:38 pm  

Agree about Oakes. Interesting to see what happens when Evans is back fit.

With the youthful squad Kear is building, the disruption in the halves (partially self inflicted) and several key injuries, I think remaining well in the play off mix at this stage is a real positive.

We need to keep improving but I’m excited for the back end of the season, especially if Keyes and Jy are back fit and firing.

Re: vs. Batley Bulldogs (H) : Sun Jun 09, 2019 10:34 pm  

I think the team seemed more balanced today and I thought we did well under the conditions. The zero was the icing on the cake. Anyone else notice JK was up watching from the South bank and not in the dug out.

Re: vs. Batley Bulldogs (H) : Sun Jun 09, 2019 11:29 pm  

Marvin Goolash wrote:

I think the team seemed more balanced today and I thought we did well under the conditions. The zero was the icing on the cake. Anyone else notice JK was up watching from the South bank and not in the dug out.

I noticed JK wasn't on the touch line in front of the dug out where he normally stands but I was situated too far from the Southbank to spot him there.

Re: vs. Batley Bulldogs (H) : Mon Jun 10, 2019 8:02 am  

From the photos I have seen - there looked to be nobody there.

Was there less than 3000 spectators?

If so, I wonder why the attendances are falling..

Re: vs. Batley Bulldogs (H) : Mon Jun 10, 2019 8:16 am  

Errol Stock wrote:

From the photos I have seen - there looked to be nobody there.

Was there less than 3000 spectators?

If so, I wonder why the attendances are falling..

The terraces were pretty empty, but to be fair I reckon the weather had an effect yesterday.

I sat in my car until 20 mins before kick off and in that time there were 4 cars with bulls fans who pulled up, checked the weather and went back out the gate. Guessing even more didn’t set foot out the door at all,

Re: vs. Batley Bulldogs (H) : Mon Jun 10, 2019 8:16 am  

Errol Stock wrote:

From the photos I have seen - there looked to be nobody there.

Was there less than 3000 spectators?

If so, I wonder why the attendances are falling..

The rugby recently on show would have probably put a fair few off. But yesterday it was probably due to such bad weather at the start.

Re: vs. Batley Bulldogs (H) : Mon Jun 10, 2019 8:17 am  

Errol Stock wrote:

From the photos I have seen - there looked to be nobody there.

Was there less than 3000 spectators?

If so, I wonder why the attendances are falling..

Haven't heard an attendance announced. Downpour halh hour before game will have put some of. Touchdown was busy first half as a lot watched from inside until rain stopped. Main stand was noticeably fuller than usual too so think a fair few paid to upgrade and sit under the roof.