Halftime thoughts : Sun Feb 24, 2019 4:02 pm  

I have been very impressed with the team effort put in and feel a bit agrieved by some inconsistency in what the ref saw as penalties given against Leigh leading to the two scores by Toronto. That said they still needed scoring and Toronto did that both times, where we have not managed to convert some good positions ourselves.
If I were JD I would switch Riddy into his usual position and put Woods to fullback. Woods has so far been ineffective in attack and we need to score at least three or four tries to be in the game come 80 minutes.
All told I’ve been impressed with our discipline and defence (except for the first try) but I’m worried how long we can keep this pace up.

Re: Halftime thoughts : Sun Feb 24, 2019 4:56 pm  

Very impressed with our second half. We looked more than a match for Toronto and tackled very, very well. I was concerned about our full 80 fitness at that high pace but we actually looked every bit as fit as Toronto.
Well done to the lads. Deserved at least a point but I can come away from that game thinking we can make top four with effort like that.

Re: Halftime thoughts : Sun Feb 24, 2019 5:11 pm  

I thought Toronto were absolutely pants ! Agree about Ridyard. You need to have conviction returning the ball but safe nonetheless.

We lack size and pace so God help us when the DR'S return.

I can see us raiding Widnes which isn't a good thing !

Re: Halftime thoughts : Sun Feb 24, 2019 5:28 pm  

I think Toronto played as well as we allowed them to play. We did a very good job of shutting down their forwards today which is a huge part of their game. A big part of their success going forward comes from repeat rampaging forward runs followed by a tight inside/outside offloads down the middle. Leigh were able to stop that which made them look out of sorts. That was our good play not their bad. Where they failed was a plan B, or lack of it. Credit to our lads in my view

Re: Halftime thoughts : Sun Feb 24, 2019 5:37 pm  

A team on pittance with 3 backs missing play a lad on the wing who helped out in last years crisis and push the playboy superstars all the way whilst getting Fekk from the ref - proud Leyther tonight

Re: Halftime thoughts : Sun Feb 24, 2019 5:39 pm  

Vancouver Leyther wrote:

I think Toronto played as well as we allowed them to play. We did a very good job of shutting down their forwards today which is a huge part of their game. A big part of their success going forward comes from repeat rampaging forward runs followed by a tight inside/outside offloads down the middle. Leigh were able to stop that which made them look out of sorts. That was our good play not their bad. Where they failed was a plan B, or lack of it. Credit to our lads in my view

I will meet you half way !

I wish I still played as I would have plenty in the tank to knock that Blake Wallace to the middle of next week.Bang average player stealing a living

McCrone was none existent but fair play we didn't look unfit and seem to have a good team bond

Re: Halftime thoughts : Sun Feb 24, 2019 5:44 pm  

Woods did get Man of the Match though, it flashed up briefly on the scoreboard before the apologies for the PA not working, no idea on attendance.

To be fair to Toronto, they lost two players early (Mellor and a forward, Olbison?) but that is about as much as I can give them for that performance, they looked like we looked at the start of last season; lazy, unfit and little creativity, difference being they are winning and getting the 2 points.

Us, I was surprised to see Riddy at full back but thought he did well. The team overall played with heart and commitment, just we let ourselves down in the last 10 with an equal lack of creativity and panic rugby.

York will be quite the match.

Re: Halftime thoughts : Sun Feb 24, 2019 6:12 pm  

Snowy wrote:

I will meet you half way !

I wish I still played as I would have plenty in the tank to knock that Blake Wallace to the middle of next week.Bang average player stealing a living

McCrone was none existent but fair play we didn't look unfit and seem to have a good team bond

Halfway it is
I think McDermott will be less than impressed with his halfback pair. They were very ineffective for the most part, especially in the second half.
I think Woods tried really hard today but we would have been more likely to score with Riddy at his usually position.
Overall pleased with way we competed.

Re: Halftime thoughts : Sun Feb 24, 2019 6:42 pm  

All the talk of Riddy and Woods, what about Richardson he was first class, I only wish Woods would take a leaf out of his book and take the line on more, undoubtedly he has a great kicking game and his management his very good, but it becomes all to predictable especially near the opponents line when they know he will not go into a contact area.

Re: Halftime thoughts : Sun Feb 24, 2019 7:54 pm  

maurice wrote:

A team on pittance with 3 backs missing play a lad on the wing who helped out in last years crisis and push the playboy superstars all the way whilst getting Fekk from the ref - proud Leyther tonight

It wasn't so much the penalties they were awarded, (they scored all three tries from penalties though) but the ones we weren't awarded. Why were they not pinged for holding down/interfering in the tackle, like we were?

I'm very proud of our lads too. If you'd offered me a close encounter with Toronto, two/three months ago, I'd have questioned your sanity! How many times last season, did we say that the part-time teams looked fitter than our full-time team? Well, today, some of their forwards were out on their feet in the final quarter. If you get the chance to watch it again, watch out for Ashton Simms, who put in a massive stint, telling Bodene to get involved - and watch Bodene's reaction. He'd had enough!

It was sad to see so many former Leythers sitting out the game - Beswick, Brierley, Kay, Worthington, Emmitt, Whiting - I wonder how long they will be staying there? Good to see KP at the match too - I hope he can sort something for himself soon.