Great start. Let's kick on now and rack up some points to address our abysmal points difference (which could be crucial)

Don't let them back in it and it be 34-32 game.

26-8 at half time. Just about a fair score, although the Swinton try was a breakaway intercept. We really look like a totally different team (again). Yes, I know its "only" Swinton, but the Bulls look energised, enthused, hard tackling, strong running and a really enjoyable game (so far). Even Patton is on one of his good days. Billy Jowett has injected pace into the attacks, and he's also had a cracking game in defence.

‘Only’ Swinton beat Toulouse last week.

Yup, any team can beat any other in this year's championship. But Swinton's 3 wins from 10 matches says they're not exactly tearing up the division.

Bulls 26 only Swinton 26

Saw it coming...

Sounds like defences were in top form today.

So frustrating. Points difference killing us at the moment. Can't remember the last time we kicked on and put a team to the sword.

Wow. Just watched Bradford press the self destruct button again, but they were saved by the full time hooter. Any longer, we'd have capitulated once again.
After watching the Bulls for almost 30 years, I've never seen such a game swing as much from one team to the other. It's almost like they're thinking the game's won (several times), and then let the opposition back in. Great excitement for the neutral, but hellish frustrating for the Bulls fans.
Loads of work needed by Lee and Nobby to get to the bottom of the problem, but the team looked much more enthusiastic today, with plenty of decent performances from Jowitt, Scurr, England, Appo, Fenton Rodgers, and the odd bit of sparkle from Patton. Onwards and (hopefully) upwards with this team, now

I thought we were bloody awful at times today. Some attitudes in the side are really poor. Bad discipline, give up under adversity and swan around like world beaters. The beginning and end of the second half was as bad as it gets.

That new culture Mark Dunning spoke about is only skin deep. Put this team under pressure and they fall apart.

Exceptions in the cases of Scurr, Mason, Appo and Lilley.

Bonkers game. Good to get a win under the belt but I think most other teams would have beaten us today.

Horrid defence on show. A few players standing out today and nice to see some strong running. Nathan Mason would be a good keep but suspect he will be gone again soon and swap with someone else.

Anyone know what the Swinton complaint made was? Ref placed it on report.

I think he was complaining that Fenton Rogers was leading with the elbow or forearm. The ref was a complete disgrace today, so inconsistant and padantic.

Never seen a team so arrogant that they put the cue on the rack twice...

Ref called time off with 1 second to go then decided enough was enough. Think he did us a favour as had that scrum been fed chances are they'd have gone the full length we were that fragile.

Whoever takes over has a heck of a job. It's frustrating because plenty of those players are capable of much better. Is Holmes back next week? Bloody hope so. About time Lawford got selected too. His speed and footwork would offer more of a threat.

I noticed Rogers hasn't changed his running action with the raised arm. He's going to spend more time on the sidelines than in the side.

On the plus side Lilley had a good game at hooker, he's so much better in that position. It was noticeable how we got worse when Flanagan snr came on for him.

Where will Holmes go? Is there an argument for dropping Walker as he did not have a good game yesterday at all. Otherwise he goes to the halves, which means one of Patten or Jowitt is dropped, although Jowitt could go back to interchange hooker as it looks like time has caught up with Flanagan this season.

Holmes starting is a no brainer as hes been player of the season for me. Hopefully he's back fit in two weeks time. Same with Walker. He's a quality player. If he strings some games together he'll be fine. No brainer to start him.

Yesterday was frustrating. But there is still potential in this side as we've seen earlier in the year. It's clear we need those "grown ups" as Bullseye puts it, the likes of Lawrence, Thompson, Holmes etc as we're headless chickens without them.

Hopefully with Holmes, Thompson and possibly Baitieri in the side in two weeks time, be interesting to see how we go against the Cougars.

There’s a chance everyone could be back in the next 2 weeks - Holmes, Thompson, Lawrence, Arundel. I’d forgotten about Batieri as well.
That would make a big difference. Especially if Rodgers gets another ban.

Holmes has to play in the halves. We need a live wire like him to get his hands on the ball more. I'd pair him with Jowitt or Lawford. If Lilley can do 80mins at hooker then I'd do that and not bother with an interchange hooker.

I'd drop Patton.

Yep... Patton has to go for me. The only thing he brings to the team is his goal kicking which would be helpful if he didn't cost us so many points with his mistakes.

If everyone can be fit, we have a very strong looking team for Summer Bash

1. Walker
2. Blackmore
3. Arundel
4. Gill
5. DFJ
6. Jowett
7. Holmes
8. Rogers
9. Lilley
10. Lawrence
11. England
12. Butler
13. Thompson

14. Scurr
15. Mason
16. Appo
17. Baitieri

So from yesterday, you’d be dropping Patten, Baldwinson, Flanagan, Wallace and Johnson. I think Baldwinson has been good enough recently to keep his place and I think Rogers will have a ban coming so that is an easy swap.
How long is Mason here on loan? He had a fair debut.
Lawford still doesn’t make the team, which is a shame. Too many halves unfortunately

The amount of penalties we gave away yesterday was a concern (prob for both sides) those dodgy 2nd half periods we seemed to compound errors with penalties a lot. I was a bit baffled by the ref's PTB interpretation. Six again rulings seem to come randomly. He wasn't a great ref but not the worst I've seen this season. Discipline needs to improve.

I think it’s harsh to say Walker didn’t have a good game. I don’t remember him dropping anything and he beat the first man on returns everytime. He was limping a few times but carried on so hopefully he is fine.

As much as I like Jowitt and Lawford and both could feature more next year I still think it’s a bit early from Lawford and a fully fit spine of Walker, Patton, Holmes and Lilley is the way I would go for now.

Add to that the ‘grown ups (love that btw

) Lawrence, Thompson, Baiteri we look a much better team with a bit of confidence. Jowitt to spell Lilley at hooker as GF sr is about done.

Must have been at a different game.
Walker made 3 handling errors.
He Threw the interception pass for the try in the first half .
Was out jumped when didnt get of the ground for their try in the second half.

Obviously him and Holmes are the first names on the team sheet for the Bash but he did have a stinker yesterday

So you would drop Wallace? Don’t know if anyone actually takes notice of stats but AJ was the top tackler for Bulls yesterday. Think his defending is over looked by people just looking for carries. Bit of an unsung hero. That right hand side will miss him I think

Well I will say I’m very surprised by that. Maybe I wasn’t watching as closely as I thought. Intercepts granted but genuinely don’t remember him dropping a kick and his returns were pretty good.

Considering his length of time out he’ll only get better, as I think they all would, with some confidence under the belt.

Somehow despite how bad we are away, we’ve still only lost one home game. And in that game we scored the most tries (3 -2)