Fifty years ago to this very day, saw the lowest I've ever felt as a Lion, and it was the RL Cup third round at Halifax.
In the previous tie, we went to (holders) Leigh, came away 4-3 winners, and my thought was "Who we gonna play at Wembley?"
The quarter final saw us head to Thrum Hall, with losing never even entering my head. We were winning 8-7, with not long left, when the hosts were awarded a dubious (I called it a lot worse than that at the time) penalty, and Bruce Burton sent the ball between the sticks.
'Fax held on until the hooter, and the dream of the Lions playing beneath those iconic Twin Towers, was shattered! It was a lonnnnnnnnnng journey home!
Half a century ago, and I still remember it as if it were yesterday!
Spelly.
Yes! Those events do stick in the memory and the craw!!!!
Darren Wright versus Leeds at ours, Darren dummied as acting half on our 25 and was penalised for using the ball-player as a foil! Leeds goal and goodbye Cup!
Salford and their scrum half (Walker?) ran into Jim Mills and fell prostrate for a penalty, not a finger laid on him! Goal - exit Cup!!
(Mills comment after 'If he bumps into me again he won't jump up!!!!)
Happy days!!!!
We're at Keighley in a friendly on Sunday, so at least we'll have a bit of action before the League 1 campaign kicks off at the end of the month.
We've not played the Cougars since we met (and beat 'em) five times in the promotion season, culminating in that one point triumph at your gaff in the play-off final, that sent us up into the middle tier.
They've not had the best of starts, losing at home to Hunslet in the Cup, and to the 'Yeds in a friendly last weekend, so no doubt they'll be fired up against my mob.
There's a top sit-in chippy at the other end of Lawkholme Lane from the ground, and we'll lunch there, prior to the game.
Spelly.
We've signed ex-Chemic Jayden Hatton, and he's straight into the team for the friendly tomorrow.
Have we got a good 'un?
Spelly.
We've signed ex-Chemic Jayden Hatton, and he's straight into the team for the friendly tomorrow.
Have we got a good 'un?
Spelly.
Should still be at Widnes.
Arguably better than all 3 of our current wingers.
Yes Spelley won’t let you down
Yes - you have got a potentially really gud 'un, spelly.
He's big, strong, fast and decent under a high ball. Raw and inexperienced as yet, most of the Widnes fans I know would have him back in a flash.
Cougars 22-42 Lions this aft, and a comfortable win for us.
Their eight side looked weak, and we exposed it more than once.
Far from perfect from us though, with two of their tries coning straight from the scrum through alarmingly large gaps.
Jayden Hatton came on from the bench, and almost scored soon afterwards, but was tackled into touch as he approached the line.
They are (supposedly) one of the faves for promotion, but from what I saw today, Lovegrove has far more to worry about than Coleman.
Nowt next week for us. and then the league kicks off in a fortnight, when we host West Wales.
Spelly.
Cougars 22-42 Lions this aft, and a comfortable win for us.
Their right side looked weak, and we exposed it more than once.
Far from perfect from us though, with two of their tries coming straight from the scrum through alarmingly large gaps.
Jayden Hatton came on from the bench, and almost scored soon afterwards, but was tackled into touch as he approached the line.
They are (supposedly) one of the faves for promotion, but from what I saw today, Lovegrove has far more to worry about than Coleman.
Nowt next week for us. and then the league kicks off in a fortnight, when we host West Wales.
Spelly.
Our league campaign starts this weekend, and the Raiders are our opponents on Sunday, as we commence a journey that'll hopefully see us playing middle tier football again next term.
96-0 when we played 'em in the cup, and a result that did neither club any favours.
Whilst I obviously want us to win, a similar stuffing is summat both teams could do without.
Four of the other faves for promotion, clash in the opening round, with the 'Yeds hosting the Cougars, and it's a similar scenario at Spotland, where 'Ornits welcome the Crusaders.
Spelly.
Good luck in your League 1 campaign Spelly
Good luck in your League 1 campaign Spelly
Thanks mate!
Spelly.
Lions 82-4 Raiders this aft, a comfortable a win as the score line suggests, and we're top of the league, albeit after only one game!
It looked like we were gonna nil 'em for the second time, but just prior to the hooter they managed to breach our defence for their solitary score.
Their main failing appears to be (lack of) fitness, and of course it'll get harder for us from now on.
Hurricanes away is our next appointment, so I'll be heading down the M6 to add another ground to my CV.
Spelly.
I noticed that Lewis Else and Jayden Hatton weren't in your squad, spelly, were they injured or just not selected?
I noticed that Lewis Else and Jayden Hatton weren't in your squad, spelly, were they injured or just not selected?
Just not selected as far as I know mate.
Spelly.