Ok with me. It does the job it's meant to.

It's funny that this keeps being mentioned. In the late 90s & early 00s when Bradford were dominant the Bulls used to get away with forward passes all the time (the 'flat' pass from Lowes to Anderson/Vagana close to the line was a particular favourite). It is no coincidence that as the more dominant sides in the competition put themselves in scoring positions more often, the result is a higher number of borderline forward passes being given for tries. I could say the same of Saints in recent years as well. It's no good bemoaning how Bradford are dreadfully unlucky on these kind of calls - just accept this is how the competition has been for donkey's years.

FWIW I was cheering Bradford on for this one and felt the decision not to give you 6 more tackles was a potential game breaker. The referee tried to even it up later by penalising Warrington for some technicality but by then the damage was done.

Thought Menzies played a blinder at centre for a 36 year old, and Nero looked threatening as well. Orford didn't really do a lot, I doubt he was fully fit. I'm not Halley's biggest fan but he wasn't as bad as in previous games, and took his try well. L'Estrange is definitely a better 9 than 7. Worrincy looked like a man on a mission - IIRC during one patch of the game he was running his blood to water with consecutive tackles in each set, but predictably he started to tire leading to the couple of kep errors already highlighted.

See Sykes has been charged with a "dangerous throw" on Hicks

Grade A offence.

Well I suppose it's to be expected. I thought he was lucky not to be penalised for it.

As did the Wire fans.

Westwood charged for use of forearm on L'estrange.

It was a tough game alright so not surprised a few incidents come to light after people have had time to watch it again.

Hopefully Sykes will get off with a warning. Otherwise we'll be stretched even further.

I thought it was a bad one tbf, could have done some serious damage but depending on his record being clean i'd say a warning is sufficient. it wasnt like a huge swinging arm

I'm sorely tempted to say I hope Westwood gets hammered by the Disciplinary, since he is a dirty bugger who's second only to Fozzard in the thuggery stakes.

Tempted, but I won't. Cos that would not really be very fair, let alone sportsmanlike, and anyway Ben played a blinder on Sunday and was absolutely outstanding in a game full of outstanding performances. And I did not recall the incident he is charged with, so surely it cannot have been a big thing?

Hmmm, might we be seeing a Southernwood/Orford combo if Sykes is handed a suspension?

Depends if BK i fit or not. But I doubt it.

probably more likely to be Addy/Orford combo if Sykes is banned. Addy seems to be a bit ahead off Southernwood in pecking order at moment. Although with Donaldson out too we may see Addy featuring a bit at Loose. We could really do with Kearney being fit to allow Halley to move back to wing as Platt looked a bit out of depth there defensively imo.

Wardle plays a bit of 6 too, but seems to have settled at centre recently.

bulls seem to think wardles future is . Saw him come on, on sunday but cant say I really noticed him after that. Not sure if thats a good or bad thing tbh. Suggests he didnt make any howlers but also didnt do anything to stand out either.

If needed think Addy will get 1st shot because he's a bit further ahead in terms of physical development and he's playing at a slightly higher level week in/week out at dewsbury compared to U20's. Plus macca doesnt seem to like rushing youngsters through so I suspect southernwood will spend a bit more time at U20 level before being considered.

He put some good tackles in, including one that forced a drop out. Didn't get much chance to see him in attack on Sunday though.

how did he compare to crookes. likely to overtake him in pecking order?

Certainly be nice to have some options coming through in the backs for a change.

I would have thought so. I noticed him chase Sheriffes kick about 20 yards and tackle Mathers behnd his own line, I thought that was outstanding.

I agree I think Addy will get 1st shot. Wardle looked to be a fairly big lad though.

Very well I thought. I'd rather see Wardle there in future. Hate to be harsh, but Crookes is nothing. He wont make it at Bulls.

Wardle will end up at 13 IMO.

For the first team, you reckon?

Red, who from the academy do you reckon will realistically make it to the first team? Or should do unless some other influence is brought to bear?

Yes i do for the first team. I have high hopes for Ben Hellewell and Liam Mackay.

What about Rob Hawthorne?

They were raving about him when they signed him.

He's a little suspect defensively.

That can be worked on. Do you know how tall and how much he weighs?

That's a big call Red. With Addy & Donaldson vying for 13 in the future that'll be a tough one. From what i've seen he's been going excellently at centre and if he could transfer that to SL over the next couple of years it would be great. If his best position would be loose then so be it, but we do have alot of back-rowers coming through and if a player has the potential to be a class centre then i'd hope we do everything to make him one.


Great goal-kicker too.

Hellewell is excellent from what i've seen. Do you reckon he'll be ready for some gametime when Kearney's contract is up (2011) ?

It was a horrendous tackle (in terms of the potential for injury) if purely accidental IMO. Mounis was sent off & banned for a similar tackle. Ironic the RAB paranoids completely missed it.