Not a great showing first half, but its an obvious plus that we are still leading. Not at all impressed with the conditioning of some of our lads. Lyons is too small to play 9, he may have decent distribution but his defence is suspect in the middle and i feel our pack is having to work harder to cover him. Seen him jump the line a few times leaving gaps, its something you will see halves up and down the country do when they dont want the big defensive collision. Craven is playing well and we need to keep him fit this season. The bite, no chance, looks like Dwyer puts his hand in the lads mouth.
When you say too small what do you mean? He’s 5ft9, don’t think there’s very hookers who are taller than that. He’s around 13 and half stone, not the weightiest but probably the average. It is not about weight it’s about ability. Danny Walker was far more smaller in all categories but was a good player for us. Do I have to mention a certain Mr Elwell…..
Difference between those players and Lyons is they defended well and hit above their weight, especially Danny Walker with regards to size. Lyons looked like a half back defending in the middle. If we are using Lyons at 9 too often this season we will struggle to gain momentum in attack, and will have a weak link in the middle when defending.
If we are not bringing in a decent option, then I would rather Craven started at 9 with Lyons at HB.
I personally just don't get why a second specialist has not been signed, even with Tomkins fit?
Most sides looked rusty this week.
First real run out for us with an almost full team out. Plenty to improve on but plenty to work with. Farnworth looked better with Cook or Clough on and Tilekie works hard and will apply himself as he gains first team experience. Haven's pack are always hard to handle for size and our youngsters stuck to their task.
Bear in mind that Haven beat Dewsbury at Dewsbury , something we failed at last time! Lyons is a learning scrum half imo, but Else shows promise and an appetite for the acting half back role. Needs more beef but his vision is good.
Thought we were poor first half well certainly the first 30 mins . The game switched when Haven knocked on with the line begging and we scored in the next set . Second half was just an error fest.
Thought Farnworth and Else looked good , Clough Baker and Cook went OK . Tilleke had a good spell . Dwyer doesnt impress me .
Jack Danny and Tyrer went ok in the backs . Long way from a side that will be in the mix in this league.
The Vicar
Smith isn't as dominant as I would expect of him at this level.
Thought we were good in parts, thought we were very poor in others
Still as to be expected
A wins a win. It’s a marathon not a sprint. Just enjoying Mr Quinn's excellent book and remembering 2nd division Oldham humbling us at NP in the CC with most of our expensive superstars on board. Clearly improvement is required but we are still in it .
Rusty performance, happy with the win. Thought Farnworth, Else & Craven stood out.
on to the next round we go.
the south stand is an embarrassment, needs black and white seats to match the rest of the ground it is an eyesore.
Connor Dwyer is worth a mention played well in both games and will get better.
As usual, on reading some reports and comments I wondered if we were watching the same game!
I thought Dwyer played well in both games - someone else didn't.
I also thought that Lawton had a lazy game yesterday, not using his size by driving the ball in hard at all apart from one single run he made, and not looking for work as the rest of the pack did. A friend of mine, though, thought he had a good game.
That's what being a supporter is all about.
Am certainly in agreement with you on Dwyer. Think he has stepped up this season and had a good game yesterday. Thought Farnworth went really well and was unlucky not to make the MOM shortlist.
This was only our second competitive game and we’ve won both. Isn’t it just another example of “is the cup half full or half empty”?
I expected a much closer game and was pleased that I got it wrong. We fielded a squad that still needs time to gel, we were missing at least two of our best players and played in very testing weather conditions.
Of course we must improve, but IMHO this has been a good start to an unusual season.
We've conceded 3 tries in 2 games. Albeit lesser opposition however we haven't played for a year, don't expect us to be outstanding, we also wouldn't want to be at this stage it's the latter part of the year we need to peak.
Tilleke impressed me, looks a good player. Agree with Else at hooker but we need another, Tomkins won't play this year. Shame Shaun Lunt packed in, someone like that to see us through this season would have been useful for us.
Lawton's inside dummy run made Owens try. He will probably look lazy, its hard for a big bloke to look 'active'. Defence on our right side looked suspect, noticed Tyrer drifted over to help!.
Simon mentions the extra work that the youngsters are doing to improve quicker. Great effort!
Farnworth looks ready to step up now, just needs to calm down bit and Tilleke just seems to love it, good prospects.
Considering that Else has only just started to play 9 he has all the signs of making a lively player, his deception and step for his try were top class.
Decent enough performance but we were just one dropped scoring pass away from being back in the usual Widnes dither (their useful full back underneath the sticks immediately after we had scored. They also suffered from losing that lad to injury.) Nothing there to tempt me into changing my intention not to buy any kind of ticket until all the nonsensical unnecessary restrictions are lifted.