2 big forwards from Warrington would be good. 1 at least a prop.
<p style="text-align: left;">A lot of one man runs which killed our go forward, agree we struggled for size today. Thought some stupid plays, short kick off from the start of the game and then a short drop out both going straight into touch, I thought the drop out one was awful and a little disrespectful to Batley, they scored of the resulting set.</p>
We conceded two soft tries and lost our way in the latter part of first half. That said, we were playing into the wind and got the benefit of that in the second half with 16 unanswered points.
We sustained pressure of four repeated sets on our line in the second half and were determined in defence, from which I think the comments about the size of our boys aren’t really accurate. Overall, can’t really be anything but happy with today’s performance. Asa footnote, it’s good to have a coach who can deliver a halftime team talk!
I didn’t catch the name of the ref, but thought he had a pretty balanced game. Anyone know who he was?
Tim Sheens is a top coach and I’m not. That’s probably why I don’t understand why we too often try to run it up the middle against bigger forwards, rather than move the ball along the line where we have fit, fast talented players
First half was ordinary, I wonder whether it was complacency because we got 12-0 so quickly: was worried about the lack of size.....
Second half a lot better, more intensity in defence. An interesting, attacking style of Rugby is developing which is good to see.
Matty Smith was very good, Kenny needs to start at LF....
A dual-reg or two needed next week I feel, to beef up the pack.
Nice to see 3500+ home fans on an awful day too!
For what its worth I thought today we looked better than a long while with ball in hand . First 20 minutes and all the second half by far the better side . Batley scored two very soft try's , both of which came off the back of weak defence thru the middle.
Matty Smith is a class above at this level. Yes he may not be a SL starter anymore but some great passes today , the ball is put into the gap almost forcing the receiver to go thru it .
We still need 3 experienced forwards with size and aggression , get those in on Dual Reg or loan and we may shock a few this year. With the present squad we may just sneak into the play offs with a few additions we may upset a few.
The Vicar
The was times today when the game needed some to just take on the line and push us forward.
All in all a ok game and a second win keep it going
I didn’t catch the name of the ref, but thought he had a pretty balanced game. Anyone know who he was?
T Grant
Not a bad gate at all,3500+.Probably 4000 on a good day.
Firzt time that Baker has had a real run up the middle - looked good, as did Shane! Agreed that some 'clever' stuff didn't come off but on a better day maybe. Some good stuff early that went to our heads a bit.
Plenty of work to do, but early days yet. At least one big prop would help but Wire dont have any for their first team atm.
As has been said we persist with turning the ball inside to our smallish forwards who generally dont break the line. The only time it worked was when Baker went through on a good angle. Was hoping to see the ball go through the hands more, OK conditions were against free flowing rugby in second half. But we kept on feeding Wilde and Moran to little effect. It was still a decent effort in the conditions, as I feared the worst after Batley's 2 tries!
The was times today when the game needed some to just take on the line and push us forward.
All in all a ok game and a second win keep it going
Surely that was Shane Grady. He took the game by the scruff of the neck at a crucial point early in the second half and even scored one himself. Clear MOM today, best game he's had in a Widnes shirt.
I thought that Grady, Smith and Tomkins had very good games. Moran looked a bit out of his depth at prop and I'm still unsure of what Leuluai brings to the team.
I thought that Grady, Smith and Tomkins had very good games. Moran looked a bit out of his depth at prop and I’m still unsure of what Leuluai brings to the team.
Surprised about the criticism for Moran.
His first half stats of 11 carries and 21 tackles are more than good enough.
He obviously wasn’t brilliant, but he didn’t strike me as out of his depth.
Think he’ll prove to be a good addition for us