A really enjoyable game, spoilt only by some dubious refereeing decisions. But not even warm rain managed to dampen the spirits.
I really fancied us for the win, until the half back pairing was announced. For me, Lilley is a hooker, not a SO or SH. We have Flanagan jnr who could cover at FB, this would enable a more balanced attacking set up.
For the number of attacks we had, I thought we should have had the game sewn up by half time. Patton managed to underwhelm, something becoming too regular. Lilley does try hard, but he's not quick and agile enough. We need Holmes in a more attacking role.
Speaking of which, anyone know why he went off?

I thought it was a really entertaining match, a proper derby.

Not quite sure how we managed to be behind at HT but Halifax dragged themselves back into the contest with a bit of rub from the official. The 2nd half Halifax looked a lot better and the lads had to dig deep to stay in the contest.

I thought O'Brien was probably the best player on the pitch for Fax. We'd have won it if they hadn't had him in on a loan...don't they have any youngsters of their own to play..?

3-1 in the league, can't grumble too much.

Holmes has been carrying the same injury since the Halifax cup game. He agrivated it agsin today early on. He was a passenger for most of the game, hobbling around and not taking the line on which is not like him. I am surprised we had not really made provision for him going off. Wynne or Flanagan Jr on the bench might have been a good idea knowing the injury has caused him problems. Could have cost us the game. I don't think he should be risked against Toulouse until it is sorted. He is too valuable a player to take this chance.

First time in a while Halifax have failed to beat us at least once in a regular league season. I thought it was a riveting game, tight, competitive. Again, we have developed some resilience. That was a deserved point after some in-game adversity

If Holmes had been fit for the full 80 we win that game no doubt. Going into the game with him doubtful and having 4 bench forwards was a bit risky but I thought Segeyaro did well at halfback when we finally subbed Holmes. You wonder what extra damage was done leaving him on.

Definitely a point saved given the disruption to the spine of the team. Thought Michael Lawrence was an absolute machine. That cover tackle in particular. 79mins for a front rower at his age.

For me if Holmes was fit he tracks across for their first try and it's held up also the half break Scurr made and got his arm free, a fit Holmes would have been on his shoulder and we're in.

Fantastic game through and fantastic atmos. O'Brien was the difference between us winning and getting the draw. We produce some cracking players don't we...

O’Brien played that well then? Might be worth looking at him on the off season to replace Flanagan Sr.

That'll be Adam O'Brien from Halifax then?

Yep.
As you don't fund an Academy good Job we're there to develop these players isn't it...

Do you mean not allowed to? Same as with a reserve side. d040.gif

Getting harder now though isn't it with all the players produced from the Fax area choosing Huddersfield over Bradford?

Nah. They usually come to our great academy first before heading to Hudds! Flanagan Jr the latest to wander off to the Giants. Although rumour has it, it is for a lovely bit of cash!

before we delve into the hand bags ... do we have an attendance figure for the game? my vpn didnt work trying to listen but it must have been an awesome game

Highlights on the Halifax facebook page, well worth a watch. Thought the man child commentator was going to cry at full time!

Didn't realise he was from the Fax area.

Fingers crossed though you can keep producing, need something to eat in to that wall of debt.

One thing I did notice on the replay, clever play by England at the death to stop himself picking up the ball in an offisde position. At that point we were desperate to regain possession and his natural reaction would surely have been to dive on the loose ball.

Think both sides will watch the video back and believe some of those scores should have been defended much better. Great game though, will likely watch the full replay at some point this week.

Attendance was 4,717. Interesting to note that's about the same as Wakefield v Leeds last week.

Haha. I know he isn’t. Just playing on your Giants stealing all the players comment

Hull KR and Giants seem to be the main two accumulating our youth players.

Mudoti, Ryan, Milnes, Storton, Wilson, Mellor, O’Brien, Roberts, Butterworth have all gone to either Giants or KR in the past 5/6 years.

Trueman the only one to go elsewhere (Cas). Loads are knocking about the Championship and League 1 though.