I was still worried 3 minutes after the full time whistle

If Balmforth could keep that level of performance up for the rest of the season, given the chance, then it would just make the signing of Bourouh pointless in my opinion. Think signing him will be the move that makes Balmforth look for a contract elsewhere. Left it too late to give him a chance.

You can all thank me for my wonderful powers of prediction






Hurrah, at long last I get one right







It wasn't always the prettiest of games at time, weather hardly helped matters either, but there was energy, enthusiasm and commitment from everyone, including the crowd who played their part in giving the players a lift when they needed it. Every aspect which has gone missing so many times this year was in evidence for once this afternoon. How ironic that Tony Smith was in attendance to watch us win!

As for the warm glow of victory, it feels more like a raging fire right now. I honestly had forgotten how good it feels to watch our beloved team come away with the spoils. Hallelujah at long last







Onwards and upwards (hopefully) we go

Everyone



1 minute to go, 8 points up and no one was celebrating. We've forgotten what to do when we win.

Balmforth excellent and transformed the game today. Who was the poster backing smith and grix in not playing him the other day?

Ese ese is immense every week and, for once, the rest of the pack did OK today. I agree carlos was also good and carried the ball well out of yardage. Half backs were a bit disappointing and we didn't really ask enough questions when we had the ball in their 20.

Leeds are garbage though. Surely smith is gone now

Hopefully the win is what we need to give us a bit of belief and we can go forward from here

That should hopefully be a real confidence booster for the team.

Really pleased for Balmforth, took his chance well today. All the forward impressed, especially Ese'ese and Sao. I'd love us to keep Chan, another impressive performance.

We just need to back this up next week against Warrington.

Thought Carlos led by example, showed all of his big experience in keeping everyone focussed on the game. Looked energetic and committed after his lengthy spell out, put a shift in (as did everyone).
I too thought he was finished for us, but think he showed today he can still play an important role for us in what is likely to be his final few games for the club.

Hallebloodylujah









What a result and what a performance. Thought Balmforth made pretty good statement as he certainly gave us something we’ve been missing.

Ese’ese, Sao, Ashworth were all good today both going forward but in defence with some big hits. Again Moy look cool calm and collected at FB. Thought Reynolds and Trueman look to be getting an understanding between each other too. Carlos looked good in his first game back too. Think they all played a huge part and for once played as a team and stayed focused for most of the 80mins.

For me though I have to say that I’ve been critical of him but thought Jordan Lane was very good and looked like the lad that broke in to the team, other that a dumb penalty he gave he was good.

Granted it may only have been Leeds who didn’t offer much themselves but thought defensively we looked very resolute and at it and hungry.

Certainly think not playing Danny paid off in bucketloads today as the pace as the ptb was some much quicker, certainly when Balmforth went to dummy half as Smiths passing was a little questionable.

Overall a thoroughly deserved win and much improved overall performance in the basics and effort areas.

What a committed performance for the full 80 mins.
We don't yet have the attacking quality of player required but today was all about the defence and energy.
We wouldn't have had that level of performance under Smith but I believe Grix deserves a lot of credit for today.
He has been building us up slowly but surely and the mindset is the biggest improvement he's brought.
A good win today and although Leeds were poor I was still not confident.
Who also is that play acting tw @ t for Leeds?
He was such a d1ck.

Definitely a shot in the arm, the team look fitter and the body language much improved.

I've no idea why Balmforth has had so few chances under several coaches, he's a proper hooker spots gaps. I know his defence has been a concern but honestly I could cope with a missed tackle or two if he's creative in attack. You can't win games by just tackling.

EseEse was again immense, and was great to see his passion at the final hooter.

Also credit for Carlos who has taken a lot of stick but played well especially considering how long he's been out

Chan seems to be really enjoying it here. Bodes well.

Leeds butchered so many chances late you have to wonder if they were trying to get Smith sacked.
I'll take a win though, thought we deserved it.

Think it was Newman that went down lying about a headshot.

the one massive plus was the togetherness team spirit and will to play for each other. Win or lose we have longed for that to return and how great it was to celebrate with the players every little win and mistake forced. The media and the Leeds Coach etc all quote how crap Leeds were, no mention of us, yet they were all harping on about putting on a big show for Rob Burrow so what more of an incentive could they have had but we put them under pressure and for me after what has gone before, that was a really heartening showing and shows what a pretty average squad can do when they believe in each other. The critical bit for me was when we started badly and were penned in our quarter we didn't for once concede stuck together celebrated the smallest of victories and built from there. Massive confidence boost and a good win for me. Enjoyed it for once.

Newmans like a pantomime villa8n. It was hilarious when he was getting hard with carlos in the 1st half

The only concerning thing for me is Grix saying the Martin try & the ruck speed being quicker was just a coincidence & not because it was Balmforth playing + Martin instead of Barron playing. Sounds to me if Houghton is fit he’s straight back in even though everybody can see we’re unfortunately better without him.

Its a pity about Tuimavave and his injuries and the fact that he is likely to leave because in my opinion he could have easily stepped up into second row.
Deceptively strong,good footwork and still decent pace for a second row

We just dont know what has gone on in the background regarding Balmforth but something or someone has stopped his progression.
Probably coincidence that the guy who brought him to the club was released recently and Balmforth is now in the side.
People will say because Houghton is injured but he has been playing with the same injury for weeks

I think its a rib cartilage problem with Danny.

Agree. Not sure if he’s brave enough to drop him, especially for a young lad.

Whatever the case, Balmforth should be in the 17 every week now. We looked a different side today with him on.

That poster and several others no doubt keeping a low profile

You can't drop Balmforth after that. If I'm critical of 1 player today it's Morgan Smith,his passing was all over the place today. Balmforth made a massive difference

Might be nothing, but looks like Balmforth got club MOM. Leading Old Faithful in the dressing room, singing his heart out in the middle of the team.

What end are we in at OT?

Yes, definitely not looking like a player on his way out. It would be good to get some news about him getting a new contract.

Going from what’s been said on here and catching the last 10mins,seemed we played well and deserved the win,also Balmforth seems to have played very well,hope he keeps it up

Agree, I mentioned in my post that Smith passing wasn’t great. I was actually thinking after 20 mins and another poor pass by Smith when/if Grix was going to pull him for Balmforth then noticed Balmforth come in for Fash.

Pleased to see that Balmforth took on the dummy half role as he made such a difference and created a problem for the opposition. On his showing today I think it would be harsh to drop in next week as feel he had played himself in to the 17. I’d also say his fitness was pretty good for the minutes he played.
Even in spite of Smiths erratic passing at times today do thought we looked a more fluent and coherent team without Danny.

Be interesting to see if Cartwright comes in to the side straightaway and who would make way from today.