Who's off then?

Game is still on despite the cold snap!

Might have a walk on to Mount Pleasant.

Setting off shortly, going to be bloody cold there.

How did it end up?

Batley 40 kids 12.

Far, far too many penalties conceded to stand a chance. If they ever had one given how much bigger and stronger Batley were.

Liked the way some Batley fans took the p*ss out of Brown, seeing as he will be playing for them next season!

Not only was Batley bigger and stronger but more savvy, they are a good side and will do well in there league

Gather you didn't turn up.

Thought Parkinson [9 had a good game. Some of the forwards look to have potential.

However, we lacked attacking ideas, which surprised me with McNally playing at a level he excelled at last season.

Ref was a bit of a joke IMHO - especially when he gave a 20 m restart just after half time when the ball clearly stayed in play - even the TJ looked bemused [other side to PBG.

A decent friendly contest today I thought, with a pretty good Giants following for what was your Academy side. Thanks for coming.


You've got some decent lads making their way through the ranks who will no doubt graduate to SL in the coming years, however I was a tad disappointed by McNally's performance. Quite a few people noted his apparent 'bad attitude' today, which is an unfortunate facet of his game he displayed towards the end of last season with Whitehaven. However, if he sorts himself out I've no doubt he'll make a contribution for you in the coming seasons as he definitely has talent.
All in all a worthwhile hit-out for both sides. Gareth Moore looks an excellent prospect for us at scrum-half, and alongside the likes of Handforth and the incoming Kyle Wood we won't be short of creative guile in 2010.

I saw the squad before I set off for the game but I trusted the coaching staff to put out a team they thought could compete with Batley. How wrong I was. We were outplayed in every department. Nobody shone for us really although our first try came from a nice touch from McNally but he still looks miles away from a SL player. The team that the Giants put out was a total lack of respect for the supporters and Batley considering it was £10 to get in which I assume the Giants had a say in. Maybe I didn't learn my lesson either as I think I said pretty much the same thing last year after this game. In future i'll only pay that kind of money to watch pretty much the first team.

doesnt look like mcnally is going to be playing super league for a good while yet then... when i saw him play last year against fax i didnt see anything special.. another hemingway

Last year we mullered Batley in this fixture and the likes of Fooey, Korky etc played, so I doubt it was last year you were moaning.

Yup I think you're correct. I remember coming out of the Batley ground though in the last few years saying something along the lines of 'The Giants team put out was an insult to paying spectators and Batley'

In 2008 you sent your entire JUNIOR Academy to play us in pre-season, which made that game a totally pointless exercise. The final score was 70-something - nil that day
It was slightly disappointing not to see at least one or two SL players in the Giants side today, however the game was still a decent and enjoyable contest.

I'll second that.

The point of the excercise from a Giants point of view was to see how the young lads were progressing.

To face a strong Batley team was a good test and I thought they came out of it OK.

We didn't pose much threat on attack but I thought we defended well considering the difference in age and therefore size and power. That period of defending 3 or 4 sets early in the second half with the slope against us without conceding was especially pleasing.

Ironically the lads I thought would make a difference didn't and some of the 'unknowns' did.

Alex Brown had a bit of a mare handling wise but looked strong bringing the ball out.

Gregg McNally didn't organise the team how I thought he might but did put in some good kicks.

Elliott Hodgson had a bit of an up and down match, some good breaks and some missed tackles.

I was impressed by the No 9 (great low down tackling and chasing) and the No 15 and No 16 (a Paul Jackson with hair) who both made good yards.

There was a good team spirit and you could see that the team played in a very similar manner to the first team - 2-3-4 in the tackle and a narrow defence.

As for Batley the No 5 Campbell was the MOM and a good prospect.

I'm sure Alex Brown will get some stick from the Batley lads when he goes back there as he tried punching one of their lads lights out and got sin binned as a result. That's a lesson for Alex - keep your discipline and you will stay on the pitch where you can make difference. Off the pitch you're worthless and more importantly ask your team mates to do an extra shift for you.

Well worth £10 for mine.

The penalty count spoiled it as a contest. We just never had a chance in the second half because we kept getting pinged.

I felt a bit ripped off to be honest but not at the fault of Batley who I suppose are my 2nd team. My man of the match for us was someone who I only noticed in the 2nd half, without hoping not to offend he appeared to have a slightly chinese appearance, think he was playing at hooker. A few times when we kicked on the last tackle he was the only one showing any urgency to pressure the ball returner, plus he was tackling above his weight all the time too.

True.

But that's another learning process.

This will certainly happen in future games of the lads that played. It's how you react to that adversity that counts.

Lose your disipline / whinge to the ref and lose your concentration and you're soon another 6 points down.

I just hope Alex Brown has learnt a good lesson today. If he hasn't he won't make SL.

That's the No 9 Ivor C & G mentioned. Impessed me aswell.
I thought he was the only one showing a good chase on the kick.
Mind you chasing a kick up that hill must be a killer.

How on earth did they get that game on???

Jo Parkinson is the young hooker. Goes for the thigh every time, takes some timing does that. Get one wrong and you're out for the count!

Really disappointed with the game today. It was totally useless as a warm up friendly for the coming season. We have 5 friendlies and should be playing at least 4 or 5 of the first team squad in each of these games, today was a complete waste of time as the lads that played today could have been incorporated in the next 3 or 4 games along with some seasoned players which would have given them a lot more confidence than today`s rubbish.
Our forwards were totally outplayed, getting brought down with ease, but the Batley forwards were crossing the gain line most of the time.
Not sure yet about McNally, made a good move and pass for the first try, but after that he was playing behind a badly beaten pack and we all know a half back can not shine when his pack is getting pushed back all the time.
I believe the club and coaching staff did not show any respect for Batley or the travelling supporters of which I would say could have been half the crowd.
We may not have won the game even with 4 or 5 fringe first teamers, but that did not matter as it was just a friendly, but at least it would have been a closer contest and given the supporters something to clap about to keep the hands warm on a very cold day.

I certainly would not like to have been tackled on it. Very hard indeed.

This was nothing to do with a warm up friendly for the first team and the coming season. How can you think that with the team that was selected?

This was about seeing how the youngters stood up to good opposition.

I thought the forwards stood up well given the difference in size and experience.

Nothing more than a learning experience for the young uns.

I'm sure they are delerious that you thought it was 'rubbish'.

Stay at home next time and save your £10.

ATEOTD the squad was announced well in advance, it was no secret it was going to be kids.