Just to add a Barrow perspective. We were on good form defensively, but in attack we were well short of what we are capable of. We caughed up far too much ball and gave away too many penalties to build any pressure. Ref Leahy did his best to make the match a stop-start affair which helped out the Donny pack in combating the far more mobile Raiders outfit. We haven't really hit the straps and clicked for 80 minutes so-far this season. If we do, then I'm confident a top 4 finish will be on the cards.
Cooke is the lynchpin of your team without doubt and could still be playing in Super League given the right attitude. However, on Sunday's performance, I didn't see much from the rest of your pivot players to suggest that he'll have much support in creating chances in 2012.
On Sunday, Andy Ballard was the only out-of-towner in the Raiders' 17 man squad. No Dual Reg players and no Overseas players. Three of the squad stepped-up from the Amateur/RU ranks for 2012 and three had been away from pro RL for several years prior to 2012.
There's a real buzz around Craven Park this season, the crowds are good - as is the team spirit. There's a new 12 man Board of Directors, new sponsors, far better links with the Amateur clubs, new Outside Bar, New Toilets, New Snack Bar (all funded by the fans via the Development Fund).
What a difference 4 months makes !
Enough of my ramblings. Good luck for the rest of the season (bar our visit to the Keepmoat).
