Bulls 22-26 Lions at Dewsbury this afternoon.
Don't know if any of you logged on, but a more than decent performance from my mob.
12-0 down early doors, and things didn't looked too good, but new signing Martyn Ridyard was our organiser, and he, along with Lewis Hatton in the forwards, shone against a team who have SL aspirations.
"!t was only a friendly" is what I imagine some Bulls' fans will be saying, but I'd argue that a win's a win, as we took the second half 22-10, and looking the fitter side at the hooter.
Nowt next week for us, then in a fortnight, we host Thunder (and a certain Mr Betts) as we hit the Wembley trail.
Spelly.
Ridyard always a good player at this level.
What did Geronimo look like?
Think that people have got excited about Bradford because of Brough more than anything else, unless you have got a Toronto level squad, I think most teams can beat anyone else on their day at this level.
Ridyard always a good player at this level. What did Geronimo look like? Think that people have got excited about Bradford because of Brough more than anything else, unless you have got a Toronto level squad, I think most teams can beat anyone else on their day at this level.
Geronimo (what a top name that is) showed a few classy touches for us, and I would think he did enough to be in the starting 13 in a fortnight.
Only one game in, but Ridyard seems to have the "organiser" look that Watson and Atkin had when they were Lions. Good kicking game, and rarely caught in possession.
I'm not gonna get carried away after just eighty minutes of a multi subs friendly, but as I said earlier, a win's a win.
Spelly.
Lions 28-16 Thunder this aft, and we (along with you mob) are through to the next stage.
I didn't watch it on the screen as I was there on duty,
Don't know how many of you logged on, but it was a decent game. The guys from the North-East are no mugs, and their fitness was a credit to 'em.
16-0 to us at oranges, inc a try after the hooter had sounded, put us in the driving seat, but........
They had the better of the second half, winning it 16-12.
Josh Woods, who had a loan spell with us a couple of seasons ago, proved again what a quality footballer he is, with the majority of the visitors' plays coming through him.
Oldham at home in the second round is next up for us, but as I left the ground, the day, and time was still undecided.
Only saw about 20 minutes of your tie, as I had to be at Heywood Road three hours prior to kick off, but from the scoreline, it seems to have been a (more than) comfortable win for you. Well done.
Spelly.
Disappointed with Newcastle's approach to the Championship. They've basically signed a new team and fired all their league 1 players off with no opportunity to improve in the league or have a chance.
Number of north east players in the Newcastle team yesterday = Zero.
Lewis Young came via University (not local), 2 from Warrington, 4 from Wigan, 4 from Widnes, 2 Aussies, 1 Cas/Wakey/Bradford/Huddersfield.
I've commended Newcastle's set up in the past running a 16s & academy team but there is no point if they're not going to give the lads a chance when it matters.
Other than Chris Thorman, can anyone think of any SL players from the north east? They get credit for doing things well up there but if they're not looking to develop north east talent then I question their future existence.
Disappointed with Newcastle’s approach to the Championship. They’ve basically signed a new team and fired all their league 1 players off with no opportunity to improve in the league or have a chance. Number of north east players in the Newcastle team yesterday = Zero. Lewis Young came via University (not local), 2 from Warrington, 4 from Wigan, 4 from Widnes, 2 Aussies, 1 Cas/Wakey/Bradford/Huddersfield. I’ve commended Newcastle’s set up in the past running a 16s & academy team but there is no point if they’re not going to give the lads a chance when it matters. Other than Chris Thorman, can anyone think of any SL players from the north east? They get credit for doing things well up there but if they’re not looking to develop north east talent then I question their future existence.
To be fair, I understand that they have a growing community programme to develop interest in the game in the North East and no doubt in time to come their plan is to develop local players. They were fast-tracked into the Championship and needed to build a squad at relatively short notice with Championship potential. They seem to have a sensible and sustainable development plan and development of young talent will no doubt be part of that.
Frank - they've had a scholarship and academy system for a while now, whilst they were fast tracked into the Championship, they were losing finalists in the league 1 playoffs last year so they've been knocking on the door for a while and would have a playing staff strategy.
For context, Alex Clegg - league 1 winger of the year scores 19 tries last season and came through their academy, signs a new deal for this year then discovers the club have signed Ottawa-bound Jack Johnson on a 12 month deal and Wigan academy winger Cian Tyrer. What does this tell him? What is the point of the academy players doing well if this is how they are rewarded? I repeat, not one player from the North East in their 17 last night.
You say they need time to develop local players, they've already done this, but not playing these players sends the wrong message to both the players in question and those underneath them pushing for a spot.
I still believe that the Newcastle "expansion" is the way forward for rugby league. It is a relatively new club following previous failed attempts in the North East. I really don't know how many players from the North East are in their squad, but surely their current priority is to establish the team in the Championship and generate local interest in the club through their community programme, as well as having a successful team on the pitch.
At least they have not gone down the route of bringing in second rate Australians at huge cost with a one season "win or bust" strategy.
I would judge Newcastle Thunder over the next five years and see how far the game has grown or declined in the North East. You never know, they may even be the catalyst for further expansion outside the traditional RL areas.
I understand that Alex Clegg hails from Yorkshire and in his final year at University. He has a contract and will probably get some games, but his priorities may be at University this year.
I see we've swapped positions for kick-off times from Round One.
Last Sunday, you were the lunch-timers, and us at tea time, but the roles are reversed for round two, and I should be able to catch you mob on the box when I return home.
Spelly.
Because I really envy you Spelly for being able to watch the match live rather than on the telly, I’m curious (nosey) about your match day role. Are you able to share it with us (me)?
Frank – they’ve had a scholarship and academy system for a while now, whilst they were fast tracked into the Championship, they were losing finalists in the league 1 playoffs last year so they’ve been knocking on the door for a while and would have a playing staff strategy. For context, Alex Clegg – league 1 winger of the year scores 19 tries last season and came through their academy, signs a new deal for this year then discovers the club have signed Ottawa-bound Jack Johnson on a 12 month deal and Wigan academy winger Cian Tyrer. What does this tell him? What is the point of the academy players doing well if this is how they are rewarded? I repeat, not one player from the North East in their 17 last night. You say they need time to develop local players, they’ve already done this, but not playing these players sends the wrong message to both the players in question and those underneath them pushing for a spot.
I tend to agree with your way of thinking but ultimately, in the immediate short term success and winning matches is more critical than just playing local players.
Sure, creating a pathway for young players is important but previous Gateshead teams struggle for relevancy when they were getting thrashed by 40 points.
I guess that some of the local NE players are not up to Championship standard yet and they want to get a solid base in the Championship first to enable them to come through?
It would be a bit counter-productive to play local players who are not good enough for that level and then get relegated.
That's what happened to us!
Another good win for Swinton though.
Because I really envy you Spelly for being able to watch the match live rather than on the telly, I’m curious (nosey) about your match day role. Are you able to share it with us (me)?
Despite there being no crowds, stewards are still required. One task is vetting people that arrive, and I was stationed at the top of Heywood Road.
Our lads, the officials, press, photographers, and coaching staff (inc Thunder's) came in that way, but the Newcastle team, many of whom arrived in their own cars, had to enter the ground from the other side, so we had to re-direct them, as their sat-navs had sent 'em to the "normal" entrance.
The stadium is split into red and amber zones, with the pitch, and changing rooms, being red, which we were /are strictly forbidden to enter. The toilets are to the rear of the main building, and we had to walk right round the outside, and approach it from the back, as going in the "normal way" would've took us into the red zone.
Photographers now have to stay on the "fans' side" of the perimeter wall, rather than than where they'd usually be.
A huge amount of work has gone in, just to play matches behind closed doors, and everyone who arrives, has their temperature checked.
Roll on when summat like normality can resume!
As a matter of interest, Dennis Betts arrived only about ten minutes prior to the kick-off!
Spelly.
Thank you Spelly, that was really informative.
Our Cup game with the Roughyeds tomorrow, is on the BBC Red Button, so..............
For a few Brownie Points, when was the last time we were live on the Beeb?
Spelly.