Let's be realistic. We played with Ryan and Washbrook in centre.
Washbrook didn't know what to do positionally and Owen just couldn't give a toss.

That isn't going to be the case in the league.

We had two front rowers that haven't played for months as Catalan stopped playing them when we signed them.
A few new boys that did ok but all need to improve fitness and co ordination in defence.

Not great but not as bad as score suggests.

Don't worry. Wakey have seven months to get their act together before they face Leigh, London and the Bulls who are all gunning for them to be the "vulnerable" SL team just right for the beating. It is going to be an interesting play-off series with Wakey and three other struggling SL teams in there so look forward to the next seven months as the seven games after that get really serious for you and the rest of that middle league.
Happy new year and see you when it gets squeaky bum time!

Here I'll make a brave prediction before anyone knows who's in the middle eight or even played a game!

None of the Championship teams will win promotion to SL!

** [iunless a SL team implodes financially[/i **

Maybe Wakey playing dressed as Santa, put him off his game?



On the positive side of things. WTW looked pretty sharp for 1st 15 and last 10 mins of game. Some of the youngsters looked promising. I would like to have seen more of the lad in the 3 shirt who came on for last 10, looked very comfortable at dummy half.

To be fair to Washbrook he's just as awful in his natural position never mind centre so I didn't expect anything else from him really.

Brad Moules I believe,good kid and willing to listen.

Son of Rob Moules who was the scrum half in the great Trevor Bailey Colts team of the 1980s

I doubt Wakey will have a squeaky bum thinking about playing your side, after all you'll only finish 3rd at best behind Leigh and London, if I was you I'd be more worried getting the better of Fev, Fax, and the rest of them in the championship so you can compete with the four struggling SL teams'.
Every man and his dog have us as favourites for the middle eight so on that basis we will be there struggling or not, would you bet your house on you being there, that's assuming your still in business of course

Nice one Squire

The interview with Lopini Paea was interesting. He more or less said he was thankful it was a slow game which may indicate that fitness for him at least is an issue at present as he didn't look in top condition. I wonder if he'd played had Scruton not got injured.

The gulf between SL and Championship is vast, it will take an awful lot of injuries to a SL side to be any sort of leveller. Conclusion ? You'll be festering in the Championship for many years to come my friend, get used to it.

Big talk, let's hope it doesn't come back and bite you

Behave!, there's nothing you'd like more

The gulf is big for some but not for the ones who have just dropped down .
We'd be daft to underestimate them.

We need to avoid that 4th v 5th play off at all costs. A one off game against, say, Bradford could easily go either way, anybody thinking it would be a walk in the park is misguided i'm afraid.

I wouldn't underestimate any of the Championship clubs who get into the top 4. It will be reward for a successful season in a competitive league. Of the Championship clubs, Leigh stand out as the most likely to make it, with Fev, Halifax and Sheffield possible contenders as well.

I hope you're not forgetting London and Bradford ?
Bradford have recruited very well for next season and there is massive pressure on them to re gain SL status.
The Bulls and Leigh are the likely top 2 but London could be pushing quite hard.

Not at all - the post I referred already exempted them - they will be well fired up when we come into view!

Of the 7 games - we would probably need to win 4 to be in the first 3, 5 wins to be certain. So beat all 4 Championship teams and perhaps one SL team and its done. Lose even 1 game to a Championship team and the pressure will be well and truly on!

With a full strength squad any SL team ought to be ashamed of themselves losing to a Championship outfit. (Bratfut included) the hunger to stay in SL for the likes of us, the players needing SL pay packets, the ordinary opponents of the Championship clubs week in week out. If we are worried about those type of clubs its no wonder SL is a laughing stock to the Aussies.

I sort of agree with most of that, the gulf in standards between SL and the Championship will leave even Bradford and Leigh undercooked when facing a SL team. I appreciate that Leigh were capable of raising their game against a complacent Rhinos but 7 consequetive matches is beyond them, for now.

They don't need to win 7 though do they

Hey, we all have to look to the stars....But there must be a reality check at some point. Like I said before unless the SL teams have a massive injury crisis, there's no hope for a Championship club. Even a thin squad like ours had plenty enough to get through. Good luck though X happy new year !!! Xxxx

No they have to win more than the SL clubs do and to do that they need to beat a SL club which won't happen!

Wouldn't say they won't win just one one off game, that's all they need to do

Only have to win the one off game.

I think Mash is reading a little too much into the chmapionship/SL status (or just trolling) Bradford are still full time, as are Leigh and London. It's completely different to playing a championship club in the CC as they wee always part time. I personally think we have a much stronger squad than last year (no more Chev Walker at prop and Gaskell at FB)

Anyway first thing we're concentrating on is the championship campaign which won't be a walk in the park.

Anyway good luck for the following season!