The team that started the season, and their correct positions was:
Owens, Brown, Hulme D, Fernyhough, Butterworth, Atkin, Price, Davies, Hughes, Whitty, Norton, Rigby Lawton. Subs Hulme L, Tague, Buck, Wainwright.
Tom Gilmore has missed all of the league games (only played in a friendly against Harlequins when he scored 2 tries 3 goals) so it is unfair to count him as one of our missing players (although he is a great talent) as Danny Price has been an ever present. However that line up has been the team sheet for a majority of games with the odd exception.
The team on Thursday was:
Sheridan, Butterworth, Doolan, Hulme D, Blackmore, Owen, Price, Davies, Hulme L, Tague, Wainwright, Buck, Hughes. Subs. Atkin, Orme, O'Brien, Rigby.
Sheridan--only his 2nd game in 14 months due to injury. Owen played at stand off for the first time since school, Hughes played at loose forward for the first time for at least 2 seasons.
With this much changed team, we held our own in the first half and with better application (and defence!!) should have gone into the break at least level but trailed 16-12. In the second half they threatened to take the lead when trailing 22-18 but ultimately the sharper side with a better defence took control.
I understand Cas had 'some' players unavailable but despite a leaky defence all season, I believe that (with apologies to the lads who played) if both teams had played their 'first' team then the result would have been different.
