I was told it WILL be staying the same all season. The club are trying to compete with the likes of the Top House, Cue Gardens et al, and rightly so. If the weathers nice, the academy are playing, why sit in the pub when you can have beer at cheaper prices inside the ground?

Absolutely. I thought he looked strong carrying the ball though, he's the sort of player that defences will need to get number into the tackle to stop. If he can get Ainy into some space then they might have the makings of a successful partnership.

Really enjoyed the game today. A promising start, Fax are no mugs and we were missing a fair few 1st choice players. Liked the look of Ah Van, a real intelligent player. Can see him starting in the centre with Walker. Koppy looked really fit and ready to go. Some neat offloads from him aswell. John Bateman was out of this world, very skillful and alert. Burgess played well too. Not sure about O'Brian, cant see what the fuss about him is. His passing was poor and slow. Sibbit also looked good. Potter will have some tough decisions to make when its crunch time. I know what I would go with though.

Oh, and my life is now complete.

I met Gledhill for the first time today.

OK, we all know - HE knows - the world knows - he can be a right total wassock on here. Internet persona notwithstanding.

But he did the commentary for the disabled supporters today - as a volunteer. And, from what several of them told me, did an outstanding and very professional job, and they were very grateful for his efforts. They suggested I have a listen in next time, to see. And sounds like Mick enjoyed doing it.

Its a funny old world, is it not? And maybe there is a bit of a moral somewhere?

Bradford 50-8 Halifax

Bradford Tries:
Raynor (9), L'Estrange 2 (23, 66), Herbert (42), Bateman (49), Crookes (56), Royston (61), Whitehead (71), Platt (75)

Bradford Goals:
Herbert 1/2, Ah Van 6/7

Halifax Tries:
Penkywicz (34), Chandler (37)

Halifax Goals:
Patterson 0/2

Half Time: Bradford 10-8 Halifax
Penalties: Bradford 10-5 Halifax
GLDO: Bradford 0-5 Halifax

Referee: Clint Sharrad (Leeds)
Attendance: 4,607

Mick is a top boy.
Good job Mick.

Very impressive first performance from Potter's side.

Very impressed with Herbert - he looks quick, good passing and a decent kicking game. Hope he keeps it up.

Ainscough & Raynor both impressed me too, Raynor went looking for alot of work - I think he really wants to prove himself.

John Bateman looks a very exciting prospect, took his try really well and set up another good one. Only 16!!! I can see him getting a few games under his belt as he didn't look out of place. With him Donno & Addy competing for the 13 shirt over the next few years it will be an exciting time!

I'm definitely looking forward to the season now as we were able to put in a great performance without Kearney, Diskin, Elima, Scruton who could all be considered key players.

Ah Van looks like a laidback player, but he knows when to spring into action. His kicking style is very relaxed and he makes it look easy. Like Bulls4champs, I think him and Walker will be our 2 centres, although Platt had a good game too. I don't think Ah Van did too badly when shifted to Stand-off either.

Sounds really good. It's a shame I couldn't make it. Looking forward to the next one.

How good was young John Bateman and Liam McAvoy?

Jesus wept I was shocked at how well they adapted to the game and IMO played beyond their years.

And £2.50 a pint?


Nice one.

I can't believe Bateman is only 16 - he certainly has some class and didn't look out of place whatsoever.

Langley will be happy with getting 4,600 in the ground when many didn't know if the game would go ahead.

I can see potential in Walker/Ainscough for sure. Thought Platty did well too and Raynor as things progressed. Can't see Halley getting a game with that lot and Ah Van around.

As has been said already I think, liked the look of Koppy too and Sibbett looked to have something he intended to prove.

When Ah Van first ran out, first reaction was "OMG Rikki is back!" Thankfully the comparisons are limited to appearance from afar. I think we are going to like him.

Agree with all that. Halley will ahve to do something special in training to get in ahead of Raynor, Ainscough & Ah Van.

Koppy looks to have shed a bit of weight and his performance benefitted from it.

Hargreaves look good aswell - good metres, took a big hit and didn't even seem to notice

Oi! I got the plug in first for the cheaper beer! So I get the free pint next time!

All credit to Fax they gave a good account of themselves despite the scoreline. Matt Calland will have them competeing well in the Championship once again. The Bulls were rusty first half but when they upped the ante second half Fax struggled to contain them. It was pleasing to see some of the moves and although the Bulls were nowhere near at the top of their game I feel we have a real competeive side for the first time in a couple of seasons, but until we get a few SL games under the belt we won't know for sure!

I'm planning on bumping my 'nominated driver' tally up early on so I can take advantage in the finer weather!

I thought bulls were fantastic today and was some great signs... Herbert, raynor, ainscough, Hargreaves, walker were all very good. John Bateman though really did impress me and to say he is only 16 is very suprising. Hope to see more games for him as he didn't look out of place. Tom burgess also impressed and also hope to see more of him. Great performance by bulls

It was good to meet you too.

There you go I'm not as mad as people say and can do a most professional job calling the game for the supporters.

It makes it all the more worth while when at the end you get to meet the disabled and visually imparred supporters who say that due to my commentary they can now keep attending games.

Once the link up with Radio Royal is complete even more people will be able to hear live Rugby League from Odsal.

He has a massive future in the game.

Saw a different side to you today. I know (and very much respect) Gill and some of the other disabled supporters, and know from them what a difference decent facilities and support makes. Good one mate.

I have to agree but what we saw today IMO was better Rugby League then what I saw during the whole of last year.

Few random thoughts...

Addy - Thought he was our best player in the first half. Apart from the same option taken almost every time on the last tackle (that little grubber towards Raynor), thought he looked dangerous and handled himself very well in defence. Clearly 13 is his position though.

Ah Van - Thought he looked a little lazy in the first half, but improved when he moved to 6. Doesn't look like an organiser though, so if he's going to play halves, he needs to be alongside someone who can command the game, like our new 7.

Kopczak - Not sure if it was because of the Championship opposition, but he stood out today. Made some excellent yards, caused no end of bother and defended very well. If he played like that every week, nobody could argue with him having a regular 17 place.

Herbert - Early days maybe, but he looks very promising. Organised well, took the line on himself a couple of times to good effect, and some excellent field kicking in the first half.

Bateman - How is this lad only 16? Looks like he's not far off the first team already. His step and pass out wide for Crookes' try was superb.

Royston - First half had a bit of a 'mare with a couple of knock-ons. Second half seemed to get his groove and play a lot better.

A lot of promising performances today I thought, and signs of our new signings having something to prove and some cracking youngsters coming through. Also nice to see wingers that weren't afraid to run with the ball. With a bit of time to gel, I think this could be a decent side. Could just do with that 6 to finish it off, as I can't see Addy or Ah Van doing the job on a regular basis and certainly not without an organising 7 alongside them.

Thought ah van looked quite useful at stand-off and yet someone on here ridiculed me when I suggested he could play there and even went so far as stating categorically that we would never see him at standoff.
Very encouraged by performance overall.

It was refreshing to see so many new faces today and see some some enterprising play for a change. I thought we looked ok in the first half but the defence out wide was a bit poor at times. It was lucky Ainscough's so quick as he saved a few dodgy situations.

In the second half class and fitness told. I like the look of Herbert who looked like a classy halfback. I thought Hargreaves went well too. Of the youngsters I thought Addy was good and Burgess had a couple of good monents taking the ball up. I was startled by how good John Bateman looked for a 16 year old, he's as big as players many years older than him. He took his try very well. We've a good un there.

Lots of good signs. I remember watching us struggle to beat Dewsbury in previous pre season games and thought "we're in for a long year". Today I can see definite promise.

Great to see a good crowd in too.