To add I think Leigh have started well with some impressive results but to claim dominance before the season starts with little to base it on is OTT IMO.
GF: Widnes Vs Halifax NRC: Widnes Vs Leigh Relegated: York & Hunslet Promoted: Swinton & Keighley
2007 we started like a house on fire until the Northern Rail Cup win and we disappeared. Halifax did it 2 years ago when Barrow won it. Everyone mentioned will be in the mix, although it seems Fax and Fev have lost key players and Widnes and Leigh haven't. Leigh's strength is their coach, as much as I don't like the guy, his rugby league knowledge isn't bettered by many, their squad has stayed together and been added to.
Widnes have started very well under a new coach, defended well in games against Crusaders and Featherstone (Leigh have conceded a few against everyone but Sheffield) and more importantly have kept key players, especially Thackeray who looked like leaving at some stage last year. Adding more game time for the likes of Allen, adding Finnegan, l'Anson, Sculthorpe (if fit) Ropati and the emergence of younger players, Craven, Gore, Lunt etc. it seems like we're set up for a decent year, just depends whether the coach can get the best out of them, our main problem for years.
I think Widnes have more strength in depth in all postions.Players can also revert postions like Craven at fullback and Standoff.Varkulis plays prop,Secondrow, and centre if needed.Our youngsters are a year older with more experience. Fax will miss Royston,Branighan,Maloney,Tamghart, and Gleeson as they where key players last year. Jones,Greenwood,and others are no patch on them.Other players like Aizue and Gannon are passed their best.Widnes are also thinking of dual registration from Wigan and i feel confident this year of our prospects.
2007 we started like a house on fire until the Northern Rail Cup win and we disappeared. Halifax did it 2 years ago when Barrow won it. Everyone mentioned will be in the mix, although it seems Fax and Fev have lost key players and Widnes and Leigh haven't. Leigh's strength is their coach, as much as I don't like the guy, his rugby league knowledge isn't bettered by many, their squad has stayed together and been added to.
Widnes have started very well under a new coach, defended well in games against Crusaders and Featherstone (Leigh have conceded a few against everyone but Sheffield) and more importantly have kept key players, especially Thackeray who looked like leaving at some stage last year. Adding more game time for the likes of Allen, adding Finnegan, l'Anson, Sculthorpe (if fit) Ropati and the emergence of younger players, Craven, Gore, Lunt etc. it seems like we're set up for a decent year, just depends whether the coach can get the best out of them, our main problem for years.
Only conceded 4 points away at Batley. We shipped more points against the CC1 sides for some reason. Possibly due to lack of intensity.
2007 we started like a house on fire until the Northern Rail Cup win and we disappeared. Halifax did it 2 years ago when Barrow won it. Everyone mentioned will be in the mix, although it seems Fax and Fev have lost key players and Widnes and Leigh haven't. Leigh's strength is their coach, as much as I don't like the guy, his rugby league knowledge isn't bettered by many, their squad has stayed together and been added to.
Widnes have started very well under a new coach, defended well in games against Crusaders and Featherstone (Leigh have conceded a few against everyone but Sheffield) and more importantly have kept key players, especially Thackeray who looked like leaving at some stage last year. Adding more game time for the likes of Allen, adding Finnegan, l'Anson, Sculthorpe (if fit) Ropati and the emergence of younger players, Craven, Gore, Lunt etc. it seems like we're set up for a decent year, just depends whether the coach can get the best out of them, our main problem for years.
I think there was slightly more to it than that though AJ. Who knows how that season would have ended had the players been paid properly throughout the season and without the threat of administration hanging over the club once Vaughn pulled out.
I'm feeling very positive this year with the squad that has been assembled. I think we went about it in a very understated way but there appears to be genuine ability all over the park and quite a bit of depth in the squad. SH has been the one position that for a while we have struggled with. I'm hoping that l'Anson can keep fit and make the position his own or that the younger players like Gilmore and Gore can push for a place.
Very few games under anyone's belt yet but the signs are promising that Betts has them well drilled and disciplined. I'm going for a run to one of the top two positions. As for who finishes where else? I have absolutely no idea, but I don't expect Leigh to drop away as poorly as they did towards the end of last season if they can keep Millward. Shaun looks certain to leave the Willers very shortly and Salford will be looking around for a new coach!
Leigh (good attacking style) Fev (not many will win at the Big Fellas) Widnes (hopefully an injury free season but still bringing thru alot of youth) Fax (the older heads at Fax are another year older and that little bit slower) Batley (seem to be going from strength to strength) Barrow (will be in CC1 within the next 5 years) Sheffield (kings of the bonus point) Dewsbury (Branbini in a very good SH and will win them a few games this season) Toulouse (will only just stay up due to home form) York (dont appear to have the sqaud to survive) Hunslet (see above)
Leigh to win the NRC Fev to win the GF Widnes Promoted Swinton and Keighley Promoted from CC1
i played against hunslet the other day in the challenge cup and no offence to them teams like fev, fax, widnes etc should put 40 points on them they just look an average side.
