Sounds like the effort was there again.
Frustrating to have another pointless second half.
Also, feels like a game where lack of options off the bench has cost us. This needs to be addressed ahead of next season.
Another valiant defeat. It sounded like it was all Halifax in the second half and we were hanging on for the draw. Home to Featherstone next week and looking at best at another valiant defeat. We really need to have a full pack out (excluding the usual long term injuries).
How did Hulme play today. Was this his first competitive game this year or has he been playing amateur rugby?
We just don’t have enough forwards. If we had had either Clough or Farnworth to bring on today I’m sure we’d have won but the reality is we are going to struggle to maintain our form without reinforcements.
We just don’t have enough forwards. If we had had either Clough or Farnworth to bring on today I’m sure we’d have won but the reality is we are going to struggle to maintain our form without reinforcements.
Yep. The only way Matty Smith at loose works is if we have enough props to rotate for the grunt work in the middle
Iirc the ball striking the ref was a scrum to the side in possession. But no scrums so must be another six?
Iirc the ball striking the ref was a scrum to the side in possession. But no scrums so must be another six?
Even in-goal on the last tackle with the ball going dead?
We have got better defensively: Halifax had a lot of sets in the first half and we kept them out for all but one of them: 29 points conceded in 2 games away against decent sides would suggest we are a bit tougher now.
But, I think our Game Management could be better in addition to the forwards situation.
Today we handed them the initiative with poor ends to sets in the Second Half.
Against London we allowed ourselves to be dispossessed late on with a one on one steal.
The game turned on two poor last tackle plays from us - one where Lawton was offside from a fairly shallow Smith kick, and then the second where Craven tried to chip a little kick over, Harris stretched to grab and went 60m, they then scored next set.
Until that moment, we were in control in the second half and Halifax didn't look like they had the answers.
The amount of tackling we did no doubt contributed to the tiredness towards the end, but a really tough defeat to take.
Definitely think we missed a forward off the rotation - had Clough or Farnworth played, it may well have been different.
There's a lot of fuss about the kick in goal - it should have been a drop out rather than a fresh set of six; but there's nothing to say that Halifax wouldn't have got to the end of the kick had it not hit the ref anyway!
Thought the try we had ruled out first half was a bit harsh, crowd certainly gave the forward pass.
The game turned on two poor last tackle plays from us – one where Lawton was offside from a fairly shallow Smith kick, and then the second where Craven tried to chip a little kick over, Harris stretched to grab and went 60m, they then scored next set. Until that moment, we were in control in the second half and Halifax didn’t look like they had the answers. The amount of tackling we did no doubt contributed to the tiredness towards the end, but a really tough defeat to take. Definitely think we missed a forward off the rotation – had Clough or Farnworth played, it may well have been different. There’s a lot of fuss about the kick in goal – it should have been a drop out rather than a fresh set of six; but there’s nothing to say that Halifax wouldn’t have got to the end of the kick had it not hit the ref anyway! Thought the try we had ruled out first half was a bit harsh, crowd certainly gave the forward pass.
The crowd gave everything. Not seen a referee influenced by the crowd like that in a long time.
Their drop goal came on the last, after a set restart when their player moved off the mark! Their player committed the offence and they got another set of six. A disgraceful call.
Enjoyed the normality of first away game . Interesting game to watch. To the ref moaners, The ref was right most of the time ...had no influence on the result....the pass looked forward from the other end of the pitch ! was never a try......if you push the oppo at the ptb/hold down too long it`s a set restart....etc etc etc Widnes need to learn how to get the ref on their side....standing with the ball just behind when we are all waiting for a restart ( Craven) ...just throw to Halifax player and get on with it !!!!!! If there were fair play points Widnes in this and indeed most games would fail to trouble the scorers......
Comment in post above about game management or intelligence is correct ....Widnes have a problem here and it`s costing dear............how many games have been lost that should/could have been won but where lost? as opposed to the reverse ?
In truth today we did not have much in the way of attacking diversity...good first try ...but then ? what else ? all so so predicable ..............We don`t score in the second half so often cos the oppo do have game intelligence ...they work out do stop us.
That btw is the end of top six hopes....7 th at best now
Watching from the terrace it`s easy to see where weakness is as it must be for Simon F.
The problem few of the players on the pitch seem to be able to read what is happening around them...............
I think this in the game today is down to coaching at junior level which coaches out natural talent......just watch what goes on at community club on a Sunday................
It’s just come on for me – thanks everyone for keeping me in touch.
we were nilling them up until you got back online Sunny!!!
Sorry......
It was tragic performance in the second half. The ref was not to blame, that game was there for the taking and we mucked it up. On to next week. Must say Halifax is one of the best away days on the circuit. Fantastic place to watch rugby. Locals welcoming and some cracking pubs by the ground.
It was tragic performance in the second half. The ref was not to blame, that game was there for the taking and we mucked it up. On to next week. Must say Halifax is one of the best away days on the circuit. Fantastic place to watch rugby. Locals welcoming and some cracking pubs by the ground.
The second half was strange, like they thought they could just sit on the 10 point lead and not have to score another point.
Craven’s drop goal attempt summed the season half up- rushed and un-organised
The drop goal situation puzzles me in that we have Danny Craven who has kicked drop goals from the halfway line, just 'messing about' before the warm up sessions on match days. But we don't seem to be able to graft this into our game plans somehow.
The great Murph once said 'never come away without a point' when he was dropping goals regularly, and there is a lot to be said for having it in your armoury when we are as we are atm. Every point counts.
Looks like we could be without Lewis Else for the next game. How did Hulme play yesterday?
Finnegan was not happy about the "decision making" by the team and that we failed to close the game down after a decent first-half. We will definitely need our strongest pack and bench on Sunday, if we are to have any chance against Featherstone.