Attendance 5759

seems a lot more than that

Full time. Leeds 12-10 Bulls

Thanks for the updates..it was appreciated.

Thanks for the updates Kev. Had to cry off at the last minute - dodgy back. How did they perform, score looks very respectable. Any stand out players particularly the newcomers and the youngsters?

Kearney & L'Estrange standout performers for me, followed closely by Reardon & Menzies.


Really optimistic about the coming season now, we lost by 2 without Orford and some good moves were performed.


Sheriffe is truly amateur standard though, my only complaint.

Looking at the balance of the squad I think the only concern is the winger's. Will Reardon stay fit and frankly Sheriffe is not good enough. Other than that I think we look in good shape and certainly a good step forward from last season's squad.

Sounds promising when 3 out of the 4 names players are new to the squad this season. Can't wait for the season to start for real

Another encouraging display. I thought we looked pretty fit considering the conditions and where we're in Pre season. I thought we looked strong in defence and the players looked confident in the man beside them.

I have only seen L'Estrange play twice for the Bulls but if those displays are anything to go by, he will be a star for us. He is quick out of the PTB and his short passes are excellent, I can't wait to see what he can do once the pitch firms up.

I thought Kearney linked well with L'Estrange, a clever ball from Heath and a beautiful angle from Kearney cut the Leeds defence wide open in the 1st half.

We may have lost a ball handler in Morrison but we've gained a battering ram/workhorse in Hall. I think he would have carted the ball up for another 80 mins today!

I think we look in pretty good shape once Ox is thrown into the equation but I share some concerns about our RHS centre/wing combination. It will be interesting to see what Macca has planned for his 1st choice.

Fairly impressed today.

Everyone did ok apart from the usual. I liked the looked of Lestrange and Kearney, but will have to say kearney's kicking is a bit all over the place though he did always make touch. Think Ox will bring a lot of organisation to us.

We should be aiming for top 4.

I'd agree with that, he put in some decent long range kicks in but his short kicking game didn't look that strong. But once he reverts to 6 I expect we will see Orford taking control in this area more often than Kearney.

Pretty much agree with what's been said. Kearney & L'Estrange were standouts, Brett in the first half, Heath in the second. I'm certainly a lot happier about Kearney as a halfback than I was before I'd seen him as some accounts said he wasn't so good there. Looks fine to me! The only problem for Kearney today was he was having to do more work than he should have to, but once Orford is partnering him, that won't be a problem. We certainly shouldn't be a one half team anymore now.

Reardon continues to look good for mine and he had a hand in Sykes' try, as well as capitalising on a mess to score his own. Sykes' defence today was very good and he certainly seems to have put a lot of work in on that. I was impressed with Crookes today too, certainly doesn't lack effort.

I do think Glenn Hall looked better as a backrower (at Cas) than as a prop (today). His strength is undoubtedly going to be his defence though.

I was pretty happy all in all. Sheriffe never looked good, but you certainly couldn't fault his effort and he did loads of work.

A couple of times I think we'd have scored if we were against a weaker side, but Leeds defended very well at times, especially at one point of the second half where they scrambled brilliantly.

What did puzzle me was when they announced the teams, they said Olbison and Addy were on the bench, but I don't remember them ever actually coming on the pitch?

I'd say that was a pretty good summing-up, not a lot to add! Kearney and L'estrange were running the show. Must admit I found it very refreshing to be watching some new faces, and not seeing the likes of Newton or (sorry to say it) Deacon. Given the conditions, we looked fresh, eager and strong and there was sod all between the two teams IMO. All round, I've had a good feeling about this season; and I saw nothing today to change that and plenty of reasons to be cautiously optimistic.

Bit surprised that there was not a better turnout from Leeds for Diskin, but was not a bad Bulls following. Enjoyed the game more than most last season, to be honest.

Bit disappointed Orford didn't play, but the team looked good and we should be back in the top 6 this season, I'd move Crookes to wing and use Sheriffe for half time entertainment, his catching is a joke.

Ali "Harvey" Lauititi is a dirty little fatty, so many cheap shots with the shoulder

For me L'Estrange was the stand out performer, he had the Leeds defenders in doubt whenever he had the ball. Kearney did ok and made one really good break, he'll go better outside a proper organiser like Orford. I was quite please with how Whitehead did when he came on, he tackled well and made a good offload. The rest were solid enough without looking spectacular. I do think we're still a bit short of quality in the backs to mount a real challenge for honours.

It was a fairly typical pre season game with a few mistakes and pretty low intensity but we look to be heading in the right direction. I'd say a top 5/6 finish is possible with the current squad.

Looking at Leeds they did look a bit quicker and with the additions of Peacock, Eastwood, Webb and Senior they've got to be hot favourites again.

I was really impressed with Donaldson today. He never takes a backwards step and his defensive work is superb.

Put Orford in the mix and anyone could be forgiven for optimism.

How good is Hall, though? I reckon we've bought a gem there.

Only real downside for me is that I just don't get it with Sheriffe. I hope he comes good in some way, but am unsure what it is that he offers which we seem to want.

Overall though very encouraging for us, and a better game than you'd expect for a pre-season.

It was never going to be a free flowing affair on that pitch, even less so when you consider it had been narrowed by about a yard on each side. But the team looked hungry and played well as a unit. Certainly looking forward to Orford being added to the mix. I think some of the criticism of Sherriffe is a little unfair. He got through quite a bit of work and made some good catches. In fact the only ones I recall him missing would have been impressive takes for any player to make.

There's still some work to be done on the attacking side of things but it's mainly down to players getting used to how the new guys play and intergrate within the team and that will come with time

All in all I thought today was a good run out for the team. Bit more composure might have even seen us steal the result. But as it stands, I'm looking forward to the 2010 season more and more

Sheriffe = The New Platt


I never thought he looked good today, but I also didn't think he looked bad. Certainly nowhere near as bad as his performances last year. He wasn't breaking tackles or anything, but he put plenty of work in. The only thing I remember putting my head in my hands about was the kick near the end that he tried to palm nearer the sideline, when unfortunately he was already next to the line, so he just kind of palmed it into touch.

Quote ="6Iestyn6"Brett Kearney has just done something that we haven't sden at Bradford for yearrs, a running stand off as he went for the gap and made a good 50m before a grubber found touch with just a bit oo much weight behind it. Still no score here. Just taken from another forum.'" That was me see here -----> www.totalrl.com/index.php?showtopic=195513

Quote ="6Iestyn6"Brett Kearney has just done something that we haven't sden at Bradford for yearrs, a running stand off as he went for the gap and made a good 50m before a grubber found touch with just a bit oo much weight behind it. Still no score here. Just taken from another forum.'" That was me see here -----> www.totalrl.com/index.php?showtopic=195513

sheriffe was totally gash must have done about 800 yards sideways and 10 yards forward,must agree l'estrange,kearney & reardon,halley,menzies all looked outstanding.forwards put down a good platform for half backs to perform.on another note hope we're not going to see the aussie style of trainer on the pitch every time team attacks,fat boy willie on every 2 mins

Sounds like a promising start to 2010.

My fear remains that we are still a couple of quality backs away from challenging.

Agree with everyone else L'estrange made a lovely break and had a good game and Kearney looked good but should have give it to Menzies on the inside with that lovely break but i'm really optimistic about next year and Reardon played really well but Leeds looked rusty but that was also down to our defence today.

I'm sorry but Sheriffe was gash. I won't condemn him until we're well into the real season, as I hope he can still find form. Imo he needs to get the bread and butter stuff right before he tries finding gaps by running across the pitch 63 times.

No, I can't agree with that. I agree with Diligaf in that it was only the fielding of the kick at the end that caused any consternation. He is an a position we need to strengthen but saying that is unwarranted as he hit a lot of hard yards in our own half.

However he does need a big season

I do think Willie Pochings piled the timber on though

Where are all those who were slating Reardon's signing as rubbish?

Speaking as one who was chuffed at the signing, and still am, I just wondered...



As for Sherriffe, can't fault the effort and he certainly wasn't total pants, but can't help but think his wing is going to be seriously targetted this coming season. Guess we would have had Walker there but then no Orford...lets hope we got it right there?

What DID seem to be missing, sad to say and IMO, was an on-form Sam Burgess? I suspect had he been playing we would have been over their line more often, since Leeds' try-line defence was pretty damn good I thought and needed something special to break it?

I though Donno looked highly promising again? Like that offload that fooled everyone? And how he ducked under their guy and nearly broke through?

Having had time to reflect on today, the main thought that stays in my mind is how bloody refreshing to see some new faces and some new ideas. I honestly don't think I could have stood another season of Deacon and Newton to be honest. I was discussing that with the guys stood around me and we all agreed. I am SO pleased to see what L'Estrange and Kearney seem to be bringing, and can't wait to see them link up with Orford. And Hall will stiffen up the pack no end I think...Sir Daniel Gartner has returned?

In fact, what sticks in my mind most was we saw a team again. We may not regain the heights this year - that's a big ask - but I am more optimistic for the future than I have been for ages.