Re: Cas Away - Andy Lynch Testimonial : Sun Jan 11, 2015 5:56 pm  

It was good to get out and see a game of rugby after such a long gap. Also good to honour Andy Lynch.
It was difficult today to tell which was the Championship and which was the Superleague side. OK I know it was only a friendly but that still bodes well. As previous posters have said I thought Mullaney was great and Shaw looked promising. Who was the young lad who kicked a 40/20 - was it Nathan Conroy? I thought he looked lively.
I think Karl Davies will be immense for us this year. I thought he looked a handful in attack and defence and showed a good passing game. Tahroui might take a little longer but also showed good signs. A good hit out for us, I just wish we didn't drop the ball as much as we did in the second half.

Re: Cas Away - Andy Lynch Testimonial : Sun Jan 11, 2015 6:05 pm  

Good hit out. Loads of positives to take away from today. Siejka and Gaskell played Roberts and Gale off the park in that first half. If they'd have played the second half together I think we would have kicked on and won the game. Mullaney looked dangerous every time we had the ball in their 20. Good kicking game as well. Far too many positives, I think I need a sit down.

We played a game with more than 2 props as well. Lord have mercy.

[Bulliac]

Re: Cas Away - Andy Lynch Testimonial : Sun Jan 11, 2015 6:11 pm  

Thought we played well - as mentioned above, it was impossible to tell which side was the championship outfit, and the result was irrelevant, so well done Jimmy Lowes, the first part of the job is done.

[Bullseye]

Re: Cas Away - Andy Lynch Testimonial : Sun Jan 11, 2015 7:03 pm  

As well as what has been said already I thought our goal line defence was much better than at any time last year.

I thought Pitts was very busy and took his try well. I was impressed at how Siejka steered us around and worked well with Gaskell.

Re: Cas Away - Andy Lynch Testimonial : Sun Jan 11, 2015 7:44 pm  

Did Nathan Conroy feature today? He was listed in the squad but I'm pretty sure he didn't play.

Re: Cas Away - Andy Lynch Testimonial : Sun Jan 11, 2015 8:49 pm  

What team would you go for following today against Leigh? Assuming here that. Blythe, Fergie are fit and BAille is injured

Mullaney
Shaw
Blythe
Purtell
Williams
Gaskell
Siejka
Clough
O'Brien
Sidlow
Ferguson
Walshaw
Pitts

Addy - covers most positions
Ulugia- covers 3 quarter line
Samir
Davies

Re: Cas Away - Andy Lynch Testimonial : Sun Jan 11, 2015 9:08 pm  

Very good hit out I thought. Also a very good turnout of Bulls fans filling the railway end despite the miserable cold.
I'd echo others, Mullany was dangerous with ball in hand and Gaskell looked lively throughout both are clearly SL level players and should cause mayhem in the championship. Seijka played well in tandem with Gaskell and none of the new boys looked out of place against a good superleague team. It was all a bit scrappy from both teams to be fair - typical pre season fare, not helped by one of the softest and unnecessary sin binnings we'll see all year. Cas have a few more gears to move through, but looking at today I suspect so do we.

I hope Bailes injury is not too bad, looked like a hamstring, Im guessing he'll miss the rest of preseason.

Overall got to be pleased with today, its great to be back thinking about just rugby and not off field nonsense.

[Bullseye]

Re: Cas Away - Andy Lynch Testimonial : Sun Jan 11, 2015 9:10 pm  

Conroy didn't play IIRC. Halafihi came on for O'Brien and was ok but when O'Brien was on we looked a lot more organised and threatening around the ruck.

Re: Cas Away - Andy Lynch Testimonial : Sun Jan 11, 2015 9:13 pm  

At full strength I would go with:

Mullaney
Shaw (Impressive debut today)
Purtell
JPB
Williams
Gaskell
Siejka
Clough
O'Brien
Sidlow
Ferguson
Pitts
Walker (C)
----
Addy
Davies
Luauki
Walshaw

After today's game it's a really tough call as everyone looked like they were out to impress. There is loads of competition for places. Ulugia looked very dangerous as well.

Re: Cas Away - Andy Lynch Testimonial : Sun Jan 11, 2015 9:22 pm  

dddooommm wrote:

Ulugia looked very dangerous as well.

In a good way or a bad way? I won't be judging any of the new players on a few friendly performances in a new country/competition but I thought he struggled a little. Hopefully he was trying a bit too hard on his debut and will settle into the side in the coming weeks.