@7-vikingnomad Thatto Heath are one of the best amateur sides in the country, top 5 I would say. We have had a shaky start against Warrington and London. Yes much higher standard of oposition but even so the tackling and points conceded hasnt been great. Make no mistake, on their own pitch with 1,400 fans they will be a right handful. A bit like us vs Wire last season.
I fully expect us to win but also expect it to be a less than 12 point game at half time. On a side note with Maizen gone and Flemming injured Connell is now our first choice full back anyway.
So are we naming injured players again (fleming) and are Lawton and langtree going to play - I hope so
but be good to see Connell get a run out
Hope Langtree and Lawton play at least half of the game, to get them match fit for the North Wales game
yep agree there - looking forward to the NWC game as that will show us where we are against ‘normal’ clubs
So far so good...
Houghton and Connell looking decent.
Could do with better goalkicking though
Connell's had a good 1st half at FB. Looks lively.
Connell adds far more to out attacking play then anyone else we've got!!! Glided past players and has good awareness I'm sure we can train that out of him 😂😂😂
The score was always expected but it was defo a job well done. Connell, Houghton and Taylor for a first time show were excellent as was the rest of the team especially JA whose kicking is going to invaluable this season. Thought Chaps had a decent game as well
Well we really couldn't have done any more. Connell just highlighted the lack of pace we have in the backs. He must be our regular full back.
I thought both Taylor and Houghton showed well and McWhirter had an excellent game.
Onwards and upwards I guess. See how we get on next week.
Come on the Chemics!!!
I really enjoyed the game today. The game was played in a good spirit & mostly very cle an apart from a few head tackles when our players cut inside to cop a high arm & a couple of off the ball/ late tackles by Crusaders.
I know it is hard to judge against an amateur side but I think we have a star in the making in Connell. He has good feet, side step, good hands & pretty quick. He is smallish but has clear quality. He must play regularly at full back. He beat players everytime he got the ball scored at least 2 & assisted in others including the first important try by Chapelhow. If they had scored first we may not have been so dominant.
Abdul will be a huge asset for his varied kicking game & will get fitter as games progress.
Houghton is fairly big & looks useful. Chapelhow also was decent. The usual decent performances from Jack, Fozzard. Edge, Wilde, Johnston & Ince. However both Lyons & Gregson failed to impress against amateurs.
Next week will be a better guide to where we are as our defence was not tested at all today.
@geoffw
Connell looked good, if he gets the full back spot, we’re going to have to choose between Fleming Edge and Owens for the 2 centre spots, if everyone is fit. Unless we play Owens at half back instead of Lyons.
The season suddenly looks more promising. The performance against full timers London had its positives and now we seem to have a new star in the making in Connell. Quite a coup by the club to land him. Even has some impudence about him, in a good way. Let's hope we can keep him for a couple of seasons at least.
Abdull and Taylor caught the attention and Chapelhow has a bit more go about him than before. So the club done good with the new acquisitions.
Connell may turn out to be better than Maizen,funnily enough.See how he goes against better opposition.
After reflecting on todays game , good job we didn’t go with strongest side and gave some fringe players an opportunity.
you could say against amateurs who only train twice a week, but as has been said they are one of the strongest amateur teams around
but our performance was super - Connell outstanding and at the moment it’s his shirt to lose
mcwhirter proved why he should be in the starting team - 13 is his position
The props we played all made yards, Houghton could be very useful, we may have a great problem there, Murray deffo in, chapelhow was very good, houghton as previous comment and bibby to come ( sorry forgot about bent)
JA in the team for me every time , his drop out kicks relieved any pressure
hookers - obvious there
second row - now there is a dilemma, Wilde,langtree and Lawton in the frame
wingers, yes no probs till seargent gets fit
centres, edge for sure and Jack did a turn today
so with no injuries we may do ok
thoughts ?