Re: Whitehaven Away : Sun May 10, 2015 6:09 pm  

I thought Whitehaven did ok at Odsal until they ran out of fuel. Didn't go today but expected match to pan out pretty much as it did. It's not like we've not seen it before. This league could work well with a bit more financial support for some of the club's. Plenty of Bulls shirts at Lawkholme today.

Re: Whitehaven Away : Sun May 10, 2015 7:14 pm  

Went to game.
Firstly fair play to Whitehaven. Thy really ripped in to the Bulls with some big aggressive hits. Also they played some good attacking rugby. Really gave it their all.

On our performance. First 20 minutes we got into the arm wrestle and went ok, then we scored 3 good tries. The third from Gaskell was out of this world. We then went a little sloppy, Whitehaven got some momentum and started to cause us problems.

Again in the second half we were really sloppy with the ball. Particularly Shaw and Purtell. Whitehaven ran out of steam. Another 2 points. We weren't great but like I aaid, Whitehaven really gave it to us. We will have a few sore bodies this morning.

Mixed emotions. We were really sloppy with the ball and we won't get into SL playing like that. But on the other hand Whitehaven were bang up for it, Cumbria is not an easy place to go and we have come away with 2 points despite not being at our best. But us fans shouldn't think we can just turn up and we've got the two points. We're not just going to run through teams every set. That said we need to start really hitting form in a few weeks to go into the middle 8's with some momentum.

On another note Jimmy said earlier this week he was going to play his strongest side every week as he doesn't believe players will burn out and used Chelsea/Mourinho as an example. Wasn't sure I agreed with him when this came out as the punishment an RL player takes in a game is a million times worse than a footballer.

But after watching today I do belive Jimmy could risk burning one or two out. Particularly O'brien who wasn't himself at all. Took yet another whack around the head and wasn't really doing much dummy half running. Not even halfway through season yet and he looked tired. Not surprised as playing 80 minutes every week, the amount of work he gets though and the hits he has on his body, not surprised it's taking it's toll.

Re: Whitehaven Away : Sun May 10, 2015 7:31 pm  

Any fatigue the players may be feeling should be wiped out by the next time we play. Being out of the cup is a benefit for us now, hopefully they use a bit of the time between our next game to relax and refuel.

Re: Whitehaven Away : Sun May 10, 2015 8:30 pm  

Hi, I dont normally post in other teams forums but just wanted to say well done to all the Bradford fans who made the trip up today, it was great to have a friendly set of fans making noise and creating an atmosphere

Most of us expected Haven to get a hiding today, especially when it got to 16 - 0 so very proud of the effort our lads put in today to get back into the game especially as the gulf between full time and part time teams seems to be getting ever wider.

That being said Bradford were the better team and deserved winners on the day, your number 6 is class and ran the game. Good luck for the rest of the season!

One way or another we might not end up in the same league as each other next year but if we do, I will look forward to your fans coming up again. Oh and if you do come back - just a note but most traveling fans tend to swap ends at half time to the end their team is playing towards .... even when it is a little bit windy ;o)

Re: Whitehaven Away : Sun May 10, 2015 9:29 pm  

Nothus wrote:

Any fatigue the players may be feeling should be wiped out by the next time we play. Being out of the cup is a benefit for us now, hopefully they use a bit of the time between our next game to relax and refuel.

Well the Leigh boys got three days off prior to Halifax today..Did that work for us?

Re: Whitehaven Away : Sun May 10, 2015 9:34 pm  

How did Walker and Beaumont look for Haven?

Re: Whitehaven Away : Mon May 11, 2015 8:33 am  

Bull Mania wrote:

Went to game.
Firstly fair play to Whitehaven. Thy really ripped in to the Bulls with some big aggressive hits. Also they played some good attacking rugby. Really gave it their all.

On our performance. First 20 minutes we got into the arm wrestle and went ok, then we scored 3 good tries. The third from Gaskell was out of this world. We then went a little sloppy, Whitehaven got some momentum and started to cause us problems.

Again in the second half we were really sloppy with the ball. Particularly Shaw and Purtell. Whitehaven ran out of steam. Another 2 points. We weren't great but like I aaid, Whitehaven really gave it to us. We will have a few sore bodies this morning.

Mixed emotions. We were really sloppy with the ball and we won't get into SL playing like that. But on the other hand Whitehaven were bang up for it, Cumbria is not an easy place to go and we have come away with 2 points despite not being at our best. But us fans shouldn't think we can just turn up and we've got the two points. We're not just going to run through teams every set. That said we need to start really hitting form in a few weeks to go into the middle 8's with some momentum.

On another note Jimmy said earlier this week he was going to play his strongest side every week as he doesn't believe players will burn out and used Chelsea/Mourinho as an example. Wasn't sure I agreed with him when this came out as the punishment an RL player takes in a game is a million times worse than a footballer.

But after watching today I do belive Jimmy could risk burning one or two out. Particularly O'brien who wasn't himself at all. Took yet another whack around the head and wasn't really doing much dummy half running. Not even halfway through season yet and he looked tired. Not surprised as playing 80 minutes every week, the amount of work he gets though and the hits he has on his body, not surprised it's taking it's toll.

Yep - I went too and agree with all of that..

O'Brien got clattered a few times and looked tired - I share your concerns. We looked like the bus arrived 10 minutes before KO!

Passing at times was awful and our completion rate was poor - that said - Jimmy wants us to entertain and mistakes will occur when we try to do that - so be it then. Its great when it comes off.

My bigger concern is our (lack of) fifth tackle kicking tactics. We rarely keep pressure on opponents with kicks sat on the in-goal area or scrums in their own quarter. It always seems to be the speculative chip over the top - every one of them gathered up by Haven this week. Quite a few of our opponents this season have given lessons in tactical 5th tackle pressure kicks - but we don't seem to be heading down that route.

Squeaky bum time soon too

Re: Whitehaven Away : Mon May 11, 2015 9:56 am  

From an haven fan walker and beaumont where the best 2 props on the field young tyla hepi was also immense for us could have went either way until the bulls fitness took over in the last 10 mins best game at the recre for a long time and well done to the bulls fans they came in force and it was a great atmosphere

Re: Whitehaven Away : Mon May 11, 2015 12:14 pm  

First game of season I've missed. How much game time did Lauaki get and was it any more productive than previous weeks? Is he really worth the % of salary cap he is taking? Would much prefer Samir on performances so far this season. What is JL seeing that I'm missing?

Re: Whitehaven Away : Mon May 11, 2015 12:36 pm  

Played around 25 minutes. Didn't do too bad. Took the ball up hard, and one set of 6 he produced two big hits. Lauaki isn't a big minutes player and doesn't really need to be when we have Clough and Sidlow who can play big minutes. Lauaki just needs to do some destruction when he is on for those 20 minutes. He seemed to do it more yesterday.