Thurston really is a class act on and off the field!

I thought the Cowboys defence was superb, but Leeds didn't ask enough questions, unfortunately, and the lack of cutting edge from the back row, and the halves in particular was evident. Add in some horrible errors, and some terrible goal line defence, and it makes NQs job so much easier.

I have to say I think the Cowboys maybe the weakest NRL side Leeds have played in this competition. That's the frustrating thing for me, NQ were there for the taking in that second half, but Leeds just fell apart.

What is that gash new trophy? old one far better

Definitely. Except he was stood at marker so to be third man in he'd have to be incredibly slow off the mark. From his position his partner at prop got punched so he dropped the guy, exactly what I'd hope a prop would do. 1 match ban would be fair.

On the match itself, Handley catches that ball (or Silverwood spots the three NQC players who are offside ) and the game goes on to the last 20 minutes very tight still. For me it's the least representative scoreline and whilst they are deserved winners I think the scoreline flatters them quite a bit.

If I were a Leeds fan I would be a bit disappointed from the efforts of their strike players tonight. I would have wanted more from the backline of Hardaker, Moon, Watkins and Hall who I thought were all kept very quiet by a NQ backline that isn't exactly full of world class players.
Having said that, Leeds were always going to struggle against the NQ pack. I though Hannant was outstanding tonight, consistently made yards after the initial collision and worked tirelessly in defence.

Similar to Mason on Fielden, what did Mason get for that?

would be superb if jon wells reviewed the fight on the touch screen after the game

It was the best punch I've seen on an RL pitch in years. Personally, I don't have a problem with what Garbutt did. Tamou was 5hithousing, and Garbutt sorted him out.
The hypocrisy of RL fans comes out at times like this though. One minute the games gone soft, and we should "bring back the biff", the next minute those same fans are out in force condemning what would've been par for the course in the old days.

well its given 3 of the 7 huddersfield fans something to smile about so it served at least some purpose.

That was 10 years ago.....he got one match (free to then play in the tri-nations final) Ferres got two for punching Hanbury last year- flower got 6 months- so it could be anywhere in between.....

Dont like the idea that its better to throw a pathetic one than a good one. Tamou and Garbutt both struck an opposition player, i dont think what Tamou did was any better because he strikes like a tiny little girl.

Either its a part of the game and its yellow for both, or it isnt and gets ruled out and its a red for both.

I thought it was a bit scummy from garbutt if truth be told, Tamou barely slapped galloway, they where squaring up too each other, Tamou didn't even have his fists raised and garbutt smashes him in the face when he isn't even looking at him.

The hypocrisy is unbelievable.

is it just non Leeds fans who saw Galloway sh!ithousing on the floor first? because every Leeds fans i've seen comment says Tamou started it.
i know SOME Leeds fans are blinkered, but not one of them sees anything wrong with what Galloway was upto.

Nonsense, Tamou had hold of Garbutts shirt and they take two or three steps holding each others shirts. Garbutt actually feints before throwing it. You need to watch it again

In fairness, Flower punched Hohia twice, once when he was already unconscious and defenceless on the floor. I said at the time, the potential for serious brain injury when an unconscious person is punched on the ground is unacceptable and his ban was deserved. He was lucky not to end up in a criminal court.
Garbutt's punch certainly deserved a red, and probably a ban of some sort. However, to compare it to Flower's attack is ridiculous.

There you go then

I'm a Wigan fan and there's no love lost when it comes to us and Leeds but I don't have an issue with Garbutt and don't believe it to be in the league of the Flower incident. If Tamou wants to slap people around the face he shouldn't be surprised if he gets put on his backside. I'd be dissapointed if Garbutt got more then a couple of games.

The big difference with the Flower incident and all similar incidents that you see is the second punch Flower threw on the floor. That was the really poor one and was totally unacceptable. The first was asked for much in the same way Tamou asked for one tonight.

Sh*thousing in a tackle happens, do you think all NQC were angels tonight. Not everybody gets up and gives a girlish slap though.

Probably, but supporters of any club are biased towards their own players. Galloway was ultimately the start of the fracas, Tamou gave him a little girl slap, but Garbutt’s was an assault, he deserves a decent ban.

I thought the niggling started when Ferres was shoving his elbow into Thurston’s head.

Spot on. If Flower stopped at the first one then it's forgotten about, but he didn't. If Garbutt had tried to launch a second on a grounded guy then he would rightly be condemned. Still shouldn't have done it but anybody comparing the two is either trolling or just a flat out moron.

Just got back from the game. cowboys defence was superb although Leeds were poor with the ball.

Seemed to lack direction and have no idea on how to open up the cowboys defence. You always thought that after halftime the cowboys would find more openings. Cowboys discipline in first half was shocking.

This was always going to be the problem for Leeds though with our 2 halves from last seasons treble not available and 2 rookies still making their mark on the team coupled with the hooker out too then the spine was depleted.

Its frustrating because as others have said our GF team from last year could have taken them tonight, we have beaten better down the years imo but you can only go with what you have and they had a go can't ask for more.

I've watched it many times on the rugby league banter page and at no point does tamou have hold of garbutts shirt.

Galloway gives a bit of niggle in the tackle, tamou takes exception and slaps galloway (which i'll admit was childish) Garbut then wades in grabs hold of Tamou (when it is 2 on one might I add) and hits him square in the mush when Tamou is too busy concentrating on the fact that Galloway is also coming at him and about to crack him but Garbutt gets there first.


It's of course no where near as bad as Flower one, not even in the same league but it was still a bad one from garbutt and he deserves a ban.

Can't do pictures on my phone but please someone get a freeze frame which clearly shows that Tamou and Garbutt were holding shirts and eyeballing each other just to shut this idiot up.

A back line is never going to be able to win a game against a perfectly organised team like NQ all by itself without halves providing a decent service.

Leeds have just lost too many key players in a short space of time. They'll be fine but they are probably in transition now.