So who's off to the Keighley match this weekend? Looking forward to seeing some rugby even if it's likely to be the usual scrappy game with a cast of thousands taking part. Get the thermals out!

Definitely heading up on Sunday, the off season always seems an eternity and a bit of rugby (even scrappy) will be very welcome.

Quite a few ex-Bulls players in the Keighley squad now.

Pickersgill, Flanagan, England. Have I missed anyone?

I've missed rugby that much that I'm having a wander over from LS6 for the game this weekend. Anywhere decent for a pint of Landlord before the game?

Dunno about Landlord but the Top House usually has a decent ale on.

Much appreciated, ta!

No... Obviously "quite a few", means 3! Don't know if I can count Webster?

Is he still playing? They would've had DFS too were it not for his drug ban.

Are thinking this is a bit of a free hit / match practice rather than any meaningful pre-season build up?

If so, that leaves us Huddersfield and Dewsbury in the new year, that's probably ample? Though there is a few weeks gap until the season opener....think I'd like to see us a little more battle hardened nearer that.

Mick is doing coverage of the game on sunday? mixlr?

Good to see in the latest T & A that Nobby isn't a fan of the Squad numbers game in the sense that it doesn't matter what yours is it doesn't represent anything other than that, just a number. https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/ ... ches-2025/

Good to see in the latest T & A that Nobby isn't a fan of the Squad numbers game in the sense that it doesn't matter what yours is it doesn't represent anything other than that, just a number. https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/ ... ches-2025/

Bulls squad for the Cougars friendly.

Most of the new signings will feature. Liam Tindall featured in the squad as well.

Went to get tickets for the game today, not seen the club shop like that for a long time. Queuing out of the door. All the merch flying off the shelves.

Noble effect in full swing.

I was up there earlier in the week (bought the away shirt) and it was packed then.... Really good to see.... There is definitely a feel good vibe about the club....

Ok, good game, all targets met I think. A win, good attitude in defence, lots of bodies in, pushed back several yards in defence after contact. Combinations were looking ok at this stage. Running threat from both halves. The NRL centre/wing combo stood out for me. Also Waine and Gee down the middle.
Then lots of academy/reserve talent to finish the game.
One J Bateman was watching from the stand as well.

Was his younger brother playing? John is very lucky to get a third bite of the NRL cherry, but he is a quality player when he wants to be, needs to be more consistent and stop getting on the wrong side of coaching staff. Wish him well at NQ Cowboys.

Cousin

A solid pre-season start! As Nobby said in his post-match interview, you can’t read too much into a performance like this. Yes, it was good to keep the Cougars to 0 and we scored some nice tries but the most important thing is we walked away with no injury concerns. Last season we were struck down with a lot of early season injuries and we could do without that this year.


Blake and Okunbor look like they’ll be very handy as a partnership on the right side. Waine ran the ball in fiercely but his handling was quite poor and he dropped the ball twice after contact. Rayner at FB also slotted in well and looks like decent cover for Holmes.

Well I enjoyed that. A decent performance given the stage we're at in pre season. Stand outs for me were Scurr and Bayliss in the forwards and Blake in the backs. Gee ran some nice lines too and Michael could've had a great try had he not lost the ball over the line. The kids were impressive too. Raynor didn't look out of place at fullback. Jamie Gill made yards for fun at the end and it was a great try to young Alfie Leake.

In the past we've let things get sloppy and allowed some soft tries but not on this occasion. Still plenty to work on particularly in attack as we played with a lot of new combinations, new halfbacks, centres, backrow and fullback.

Credit to Keighley who pretty much defended their line for 75% of the game. They look a good bet for promotion from League 1. Shame they lost a couple to injury.

...and forgot to mention Peposhi who really put himself about. More impressive than Waine I thought.

Decent hit out that. With a full pre-season, Logan Bayliss-Brow could be like a new signing. Thought our passing was great considering the conditions, my god you felt it when you walked out of the stand! Thought Keighley had a good dig and we got what we needed out of it, no injuries which is the biggest positive.