didnt go but wet muddy windy playing conditions are not what Fax are about. . think we prefer a firm surface but a wins a win

anyone know attendance?

and if we finish like last season it will do me fine. Plus we have Nash, Goddard (when fit), Ostick, Cherryholme, Watene , Larder and Azuie to utilize

Windy yes, but the pitch was in good nick. No rain over the other side of the pennines.

I went and the pitch was near perfect not muddy at all, the wind was strong but they used it better than us, I must admit that for the first time ever that Watson had a good game, in fact Swinton played well and we did but only in patches, our defence looks poor again especially near the line and we seem to only score spectacular tries and do nothing from 10 metres out.
Good games from Rob Worrincy, Miles Greenwood, James Haley, Sam Barlow (one try conceding missed tackle apart), Blacky and in patches Paul White (scored a peach of a try).
You could see we had the quality when we applied it but we were rusty, it will get better plus we have players still to come back yet, not many teams would have beaten Swinton tonight they throw it around well on that wide pitch, they are my bet for top or 2nd in Championship 1 this season.
Crowd, dunno around 1000, 60% or 70% Fax fans.
Late finish 9.52pm!

I have never played a close game of rugby in windy conditions.

Strong Swinton team (gave Barrow a fright away) in hostile conditions, good result.

Some SL teams would have struggled today! Roll on Oldham at home....

You'll do well to finish like last season.
Leigh are much stronger.
Its obvious ther were problems in the barra camp last season,if they can avoid them this season then they will be so much stronger.

What odds for Uncle Des sacking Schofield before the season ends??

Uncle des sacking schoey or schoey walking away ?.

Ego's just dont get on do they?.

It could be one hell of a ride up ther in barra.

Beswick and fairbank first game. Black and jones first game together. Strong swinton side with nothing to lose. Is always going to be a tough ask. We won even if not that well played. Well done but work to do!

GOOD JOB PATTERSON AND BARLOW PULLED US OUT OF THE MUCK 1 WIN FROM 1 ON POOR CONDITIONS



Lets kick on now fax

I enjoyed the game. Call it wrong but i dont enjoy watching us run in try after try against poor opposition. I thought it was a game we were never going to lose but i also thought that Swinton were excellent and look a very well organised team. They will do well this year on that showing. We looked rusty but year after year we have taken these games as not much more than glorified friendlys, experimenting with the team and players. I thought Greenwood, Worrincy, White, Black, Penky, and Barlow showed their obvious class but only in small patches. White, Black and Greenwood looked very sharp considering their injuries. A few players came up short which was pretty obvious for anyone watching, but overall there is a lot for us to work with and we all know it dosnt matter how many you win by does it. Thats why we are Champions.

On Hicks performance, if you took a neutral and asked them to watch both halfs of the game seperatly they would think that it were reffed by a different person. Penalty after penalty in the first half and then almost as though he was reffing a different set of rules in the second. Why cant they just be consistant?

anyone got pics from last night? cos I couln't go

Bet you were a bit twitchy when Mort went under the sticks at 24-22 though, mile offside or not



Really enjoyable game as a neutral, excellent support from 'Fax as well. Thought your lot looked class in the first 10-15 minutes in attack and could have been well away by that point, but for all the attacking potency out wide, there certainly seems to be some naivety in defence.

defence has never been fax strong point, always work on the principal of scoring more than concede.

Which is exactly why I know I'm not the only neutral who enjoys watching 'Fax games, always guaranteed good attacking play.

Thought we went ok considering we only had one recognised prop playing. Swinton are much improved from last year and will go ok in CC1. I thought our defence was actually ok in parts, and will be much better than last year.

I think we will have one of the best if not the best winger in the division this year in Paul White, completely different player to last year. Looks strong, fast, elusive and more importantly confident.

Defence patterns can be worked on, there is no substitute for pace

I really enjoyed last night and it is all that the Championships are about. The game was open with good rugby played by both sides. Fans mingling and Fax fans changing ends. How long is it since any of us have done that? The game was played in a great spirit also. Sod SL more of this is what I want.
Come On You Leeeeeeeeeeeeeigh.

Bit late for that for the likes of Worrincy, I reckon. That said, I agree about the pace in your side and it's going to be quite a quandary for opposition coaches - stack it in the forwards and risk being caught out wide or try and spread the play and get battered with interceptions etc?

Just say it Matt.

We're unplayable

Unplayable doesn't necessarily unbeatable

Got to give huge credit to Swinton they played very well and they would not be out of place in the championship. We just needed to get a wining start now lets build on it and see improvement against Oldham at the Shay next Sunday.

I think it was this game.

[urlhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNz_XiNT2xE[/url

I mean changing ends at half time not because you were in fear of your life. But having said that I went watching Leigh vs Wigan when I had to move because the stand was on fire. I think changing ends should be brought back in our leagues. Last night was a really good throw back to our game not beacause the place was nearly empty but the crowd in there were just there for the game. For the love of their teams and the game. Heart warming.

Sounds like the Batley game - lightweight pack.
We really need to get some big props rumbling forward and after that we release the backs to cause havoc.
You can't just go throwing the ball about from the start and hope to win every time.