[quote="PopTart":2ema201v]They lost May too[/quote:2ema201v] Good spot. One a piece then! Trueman's a better player than May, but May's loss has arguably a bigger effect on their lineup. Bateman's right^, Russell's time to prove that he really is ready to lead a team around like he said when he signed.

Hard luck Wakie, enjoying your style of rugby.

[quote="PopTart":16m0c2og]They lost May too[/quote:16m0c2og] As I said 2 pages ago

By my book with have 7 players missing from our starting 17. Hell of an effort, Roll on St’s

[quote="Butcher":hrktowuv]9 players out, 8 of them genuine first 17 players. It’s round 2 and we’re already testing our whole squad. It’s going to be a class occasion tonight, but if we can pull this off I’d be astonished.[/quote:hrktowuv] We very nearly did pull it off though didn't we. I'm proud of the players tonight. I thought they were outstanding against a fancied HKR. Nothing between the teams tonight.

Gutted. I thought the scoreline was a fair reflection of the game, but wondered if we might just nick it at the end. Rovers defended really well and found a way to win, but we can learn a lot from that. Some impressions from the game (not conclusions about players, before anyone jumps on): Jowitt really is top drawer - potentially international class. Just thinking about a thread on here with @AnotherCasFan, in which they were sure Niall Evalds was a better player than Jowitt. You only have to put them against each other like tonight to see the difference. If Reece Walsh had thrown that ball to Johnstone you'd never hear the end of it. And what did Evalds do on the ball? Where was he during Oli Pratt's try? Jowitt was fantastic start to finish, barring a wayward kick. But he's got enough credit with me to miss a few of those. Walmsley isn't physically strong enough. He made some great runs in the second half, but if there's ever a body in front of him he gets whacked then dragged backwards. He's a superb finisher and drier weather will suit his game better, but so much of Super League is grunt and 'arm wrestling', and he just physically isn't powerful enough. What an athlete Oli Pratt is. The kind of player you look forward to watching each week. Caused them problems all night. Hall did Hall things but was apparently chucking up in the toilets at half time. Not much to learn about TJ is there. They contained him to making hit ups all night, aside from his try which he took well. Lino needs Trueman. He defended well tonight and he looked okay on the ball, but his kicking just wasn't good enough. On that showing, Olly Russell isn't up to it. He looked just like he did at Huddersfield - steady and toothless. Plus a couple of daft moments in the first half - a ball steal and a dead ball kick - that put us under pressure. I haven't written him off after one competitive game, but we need better than that. McMeeken and Pitts worked their s off again. Look forward to seeing the stats again, but they're carrying our middle so far. Doyle was steady. Defended well, passed accurately, didn't make any mistakes, but also never threatened Hull KR, who had two very threatening hookers in their team. Uele did okay but definitely won't be skittling defenders like he did in the championship. Quick play the balls though. Storton took some monster carries in the second half. Honestly barely noticed Croft. Didn't do anything wrong, and I know a lot of fans really love him but for me he's just filling a gap at the moment. Thought Vagana went okay. Still too slow to retreat and a few gaps opened up around him which fast teams will punish, especially in summer. Similar for Faatili. He's got plenty of potential but let's be honest, at this level he's not going to replicate what we've seen on his highlights reel. Harvey Smith looked good out of dummy half, but I'd like to see him use his speed and run more. There were a couple of chances for him to do that but he played it safe and passed to first receiver. I also don't think he won one collision in defence and that worries me. Overall that didn't feel like our game to lose. We're down on troops and still staying all the way with proven Super League teams, and that's what good teams do. We'll be alright, but we need a rest and a handful of our starting side back fit. After that we'll be grand. More confident next Saturday.

[quote="1315trinity":1avj17dn]We very nearly did pull it off though didn't we. I'm proud of the players tonight. I thought they were outstanding against a fancied HKR. Nothing between the teams tonight.[/quote:1avj17dn] The only thing between the teams way that doylam with the whistle, amazes me their interpretation of the game

Great performance we've shown a lot of character and pushed probably the second best team all the way. Where did Jack Smith find the green card from and didn't find it when Rovers players were messing about saying they were hurt, unbelievable.

We all see what we want to see because for me Walmsley defended well, ran the ball in and handed any kicks coming his way. I know it’s the current trend to run the wingers from defence but I believe it dents their impact as wingers.

[quote="Butcher":158sdsxi]Gutted. I thought the scoreline was a fair reflection of the game, but wondered if we might just nick it at the end. Rovers defended really well and found a way to win, but we can learn a lot from that. Some impressions from the game (not conclusions about players, before anyone jumps on): Jowitt really is top drawer - potentially international class. Just thinking about a thread on here with @AnotherCasFan, in which they were sure Niall Evalds was a better player than Jowitt. You only have to put them against each other like tonight to see the difference. If Reece Walsh had thrown that ball to Johnstone you'd never hear the end of it. And what did Evalds do on the ball? Where was he during Oli Pratt's try? Jowitt was fantastic start to finish, barring a wayward kick. But he's got enough credit with me to miss a few of those. Walmsley isn't physically strong enough. He made some great runs in the second half, but if there's ever a body in front of him he gets whacked then dragged backwards. He's a superb finisher and drier weather will suit his game better, but so much of Super League is grunt and 'arm wrestling', and he just physically isn't powerful enough. What an athlete Oli Pratt is. The kind of player you look forward to watching each week. Caused them problems all night. Hall did Hall things but was apparently chucking up in the toilets at half time. Not much to learn about TJ is there. They contained him to making hit ups all night, aside from his try which he took well. Lino needs Trueman. He defended well tonight and he looked okay on the ball, but his kicking just wasn't good enough. On that showing, Olly Russell isn't up to it. He looked just like he did at Huddersfield - steady and toothless. Plus a couple of daft moments in the first half - a ball steal and a dead ball kick - that put us under pressure. I haven't written him off after one competitive game, but we need better than that. McMeeken and Pitts worked their s off again. Look forward to seeing the stats again, but they're carrying our middle so far. Doyle was steady. Defended well, passed accurately, didn't make any mistakes, but also never threatened Hull KR, who had two very threatening hookers in their team. Uele did okay but definitely won't be skittling defenders like he did in the championship. Quick play the balls though. Storton took some monster carries in the second half. Honestly barely noticed Croft. Didn't do anything wrong, and I know a lot of fans really love him but for me he's just filling a gap at the moment. Thought Vagana went okay. Still too slow to retreat and a few gaps opened up around him which fast teams will punish, especially in summer. Similar for Faatili. He's got plenty of potential but let's be honest, at this level he's not going to replicate what we've seen on his highlights reel. Harvey Smith looked good out of dummy half, but I'd like to see him use his speed and run more. There were a couple of chances for him to do that but he played it safe and passed to first receiver. I also don't think he won one collision in defence and that worries me. Overall that didn't feel like our game to lose. We're down on troops and still staying all the way with proven Super League teams, and that's what good teams do. We'll be alright, but we need a rest and a handful of our starting side back fit. After that we'll be grand. More confident next Saturday.[/quote:158sdsxi] I have to ask myself if I watched the same players playing in the same game... I certainly didn't draw the same conclusions as you did... Still ... You pay your money and you makes your choices.

That awful last kick from Lino really took the gloss off our performance.

Really proud of that effort tonight. Couple of momentum killers in the second half which changed the game when I felt we were potentially getting on top. The kick out on the full at 8-8 when a little dink to the corner and apply the pressure would IMO have been the play (easy to say from the stands). Think Lewis scored off the next set. Then the knock on, on the first tackle i think, which was unsuccessfully challenged. Fine margins against the top sides but keep that effort and application up and we'll be in for an enjoyable ride!

[quote="Spookisback":2oa1jhrn]I have to ask myself if I watched the same players playing in the same game... I certainly didn't draw the same conclusions as you did... Still ... You pay your money and you makes your choices.[/quote:2oa1jhrn] Would love to hear your thoughts! I totally accept there's no one correct way of seeing the game

Shows just how far we've come when I'm absolutely gutted we've just lost a tight game to the second best team in Super League . Not only that we were without by my reckoning 6 key players who probably would have been in the 17 . Some fine margins out there tonight and we fell short by millimetres . There's only one way this club is going and that's up , brilliant to see the ground so full and we really are on our way back . Up The Trin .

[quote="Scarlet Pimpernell":3scvbyao]We all see what we want to see because for me Walmsley defended well, ran the ball in and handed any kicks coming his way. I know it’s the current trend to run the wingers from defence but I believe it dents their impact as wingers.[/quote:3scvbyao] Walmsley played well vs the second best team in SL. It’s much harder when to take carries in your 10 when defence is rushing you as opposed to out of your 20/30 like Davies. KR put our backs under a lot of pressure today in our own 10 and they all stood up and made some very big carries. That should eradicate any questions on Walmsley in SL. He handled it well under all sorts of pressure. I think we will see Russell and Walmsley interchange that right wing as the season goes on possibly depending on game plan etc. That was a tough game. A lot of teams won’t put us under the pump in our 10 as much as tonight.

my thoughts after watching the game twice.. mike Mckmeeken adds so much by being just out on the pitch... His influence tonight was off the scale... The middles (after a sticky start) equalled and sometimes bettered their much vaunted opposites. Vangana had his best game in a Trinity shirt.. He added impetus from the moment he took the field. Caius looked more settled and his contribution to field position set up the opportunity for John Stones try. I thought the halves were excellent, particularly with ball in hand (the kicking game wasn't great but neither was HKRs so I think the wind played a part in that) defensively we look so organised.. Two weeks running we concede our first try to a fluky kick. ollie Pratt grows every time he plays... May that continue... Big effort from Hall considering his sickness. Max Jowitt is fast becoming the best full back I have seen in a Trinity shirt in 50 years. And the team energy is outstanding!

We didn't give in, pushed them all the way and with a full strength squad would have won that game. Couldn't fault any of them out there last night, have to say the ref was awful, but overall a very enjoyable game. The spirit is there and we won't be a pushover for anyone, especially at home.

Great team effort the mentality to win is clearly there. The team stepped up last night everyone who pulled the shirt on put in a great shift. With lots missing and up against a top team with it's front line pack on the pitch I thought we were excellent. We didn't get the rub of the green or anywhere near the 50/50s but our defensive structures are top drawer and the attack will just get better. A shout for young Harvey he really showed up last night against some big blokes.

[quote="Wollo-Wollo-Wollo-Wayoo":adwv6sba]That awful last kick from Lino really took the gloss off our performance.[/quote:adwv6sba] A bit harsh that init and rather petty.

Massive respect to our players, they looked like they were going to take a battering in that first 15/20 minutes but they squared up to the challenge and met it head on. HKR are one of the teams that sets the benchmark for this league, and with half a team missing we matched them and gave them a scare.

Honour in defeat last night. Plenty of talking points and if's and buts, ultimately, we pulled up just short. A monumental effort and if the conversion at the end goes over, we go on and win the game. Great to see BV bouncing and cant wait for the next round.

Hull Kr play a very boring though effective game. They played near identical tactics to the Grand Final. It’s not expansive, it’s a grind and they keep you in it set for set. They have very powerful wingers and a very good pack who aim to gain 4/50 metres, get on our 3/40 and pen you in on the left hand side with a short but high kick. Our kicking game was poor last night when we really needed it to get out of our own half to alleviate the strangle hold especially in the first half. We did fantastic to go set for set and for large periods looked by far the better team. I feel it was the little 1%’s that cost us at the end unfortunately, kicks out of play, poor kicking, knock on et al. But being neck and neck with last years finalists with I reckon 7 shoe in starting 17 players is absolutely incredible and I actually feel more proud of the team today than I did last week. Also a special mention to the Ref with some bizarre calls

Great effort from the lads, a chance to nick it at the end. 2 moments for me the kick out on the full by Jowitt and the knock-on which was unsuccessfully challenged, turned the momentum back in KR's favour, we was on a roll both times. Cant wait for the saints game! decent bit of rest for the boys get some bodies back and into em!

I don't actually think our kicking game was so bad last night. The key one was Max's u fortunately which led to the try. We were getting hammered on our line and couldn't get out of our 20 sometimes and the kicks weren't long to get us downfield but Lino was kicking them high to give us a chance to get there. Rovers have a great kick return so if we'd given them open field to run at we could have been caught out. Plus the drop out for Tom. Worked once, an inch off twice.

Also worth saying they scored off a piece of luck, though clearly a good kick and reaction, and a piece of individual skill. We scored off two edge to edge team plays. Both executed perfectly. Max's pass to Tom was world class. Bodes well for rest of season.