We move into our QF game against Sheffield at Odsal on Sunday. We have returned to winning ways after 3 defeats while Sheffield have had a poor start (by their standards) with only 1 league win our of 4.


Hopefully Ebon Scurr will be returning this weekend to give us some more grunt up front. 


Discuss the game here.

Next week is the draw I think 13th? Something like that? No idea why they couldn't have done it with the CC draw, it's as if the 1895 cup is merely a forgotten sideshow or something. 


It's refreshing to have a coaching team and a squad that can fix things at half-time. So many times in the last 5 years we've been ahead at halftime and end up losing. 


Anyway, as the post-match interviews mentioned, we weren't being direct enough and were allowing Sheffield to get men in the tackle and limit the ruck. As soon as we started to control the ruck ourselves, Sheffield fell off and space opened up. Sheffield also were much better with their starting 13 on (ie the first 30minutes) as soon as they started to use their bench they had a drop in performance. 


Some nice moves and tries though. Also some nice multi-pass moves that didn't get a try...

Also, this bye week is coming at a very useful time for us. At least 4 or 5 full training sessions for the coaches to work with. 

Could've had 40+ if Hooley hadn't butchered his chance to send Keyes clear.     Some more observations from me:


First 30mins we had really poor ends to our sets.  Either putting in poor cross kicks or making errors or giving away penalties.  We put no pressure on Sheffield at all.   It seemed as if we were reluctant to mix up the kicking game for some reason or to put the ball through hands.  The halfbacks were often looking up for runners and everyone was spectating.    It's easy to criticise Meadsows and Keyes but they need running options.  Thankfully that changed after half time.    


Lilley coming on for Souter made a big difference.  The kick and chase try was a highlight.  Ok so sometimes his passing off the ground isn't great but he runs out of dummy half really well and is as tough as they come.  I see the numpties on Facebook want Lilley in for Meadows but this argument fails to see that the reason Lilley looks better at the moment is because he isn't playing at halfback.   Put him back there and we won't see him where he's most effective.    Souter looked to have got a knock so maybe Lilley might start there or perhaps there's another chance for Ott.  


Mason had a good game off the bench with two well taken tries.   On that showing he should stay in the 17. Who do you drop for Scurr when he comes back - he'll be back for the next game I reckon.


Hallas had a good game too but was needlessly binned for running in to the melee mid way through the second half. 


Finally I agree with the complaint about taping off the terracing at the far end.   Resent having to move to a less appealing place.   Had to move twice yesterday due to objectionable people.    Not sure where all the usual people we used to stand with have been forced to move to but I bet they're not happy.    Apparently this is done to try and create more of an atmosphere.  Well, it just increased the grumbling from me.  If people want to chant and make noise there is ample space for them in the middle of the terrace.  No need to force people together.

I wouldn't even call it an atmosphere. It's just a small group of people with an IQ of 10 chanting untilligent chants. Hirst has already warned we're on a final wanting for crowd behaviour. 


Personally prefer chants that get behind the team rather than "you soft ******" 


If they want to put people together to create an atmosphere then just open the stand only. Honestly I don't see the clubs logic and it will lose fans if it carrys on.