True to some extent but I think we've only lost 2 opening games since 1996. Thought you did pretty well tbh. Good following - as ever.

Was it McGuire? Couldn't tell from our end. How is that possible? Lovegrove should just steamroll McGuire.

I get the impression that Sandercock may have been chatting to Stuart Cummings before the game regarding the speed of the play the ball and tailored our defensive ruck control accordingly to find that Bentham continually penalised us on the 4th tackle (for what ever reason).

I honestly wasn't even going to go last night when I heard Bentham was the ref on the back of the scandalous performances last season when we got penalised out of both Easter games last season both at the KC and at Wakefield when the return fixtures turned out a dominant victory over FC and then a 70+ smashing of Wakefield. Not to mention video evidence that proves Bentham lied through his teeth to Clint Newton at the MM derby last year stating he held his arm up for the 5th tackle when the Sky replay clearly proved he did not.

Anyway as far as the game itself, I thought Rovers showed tremendous resolve on their own line when Leeds 1st try came on Leeds 5th set in a row and Rovers continued to show resolve throughout the half defending back to back sets on our own line and coming back after long periods without the ball to hit back and score.

The crucial moment for me was when at 12-10 up in the second half and well on top, Welham chose to be greedy and go for glory instead of putting Hodgson in who was in the clear with the line at his mercy - not acceptable - Champions like Leeds don't do this - they play and win as a team. That was a massive opportunity gone begging because had Welham passed we'd have no doubt gone on to win the game. Instead we were left to the mercy of Bentham's favoured 4th tackle penalties which resulted in a 5min+ periods without the ball in which Leeds continually hammered and tired out our right hand side and Watkins capitalised on the back of that. I think Watkins really will turn in to an international class player before too long.

Special mention for Greame Horne though, a few seasons ago I really doubted this kids ability but he really is standing up to be counted and maybe finally fulfilling his potential.

Good point about Welham not passing, as soon as he'd fended off the defender and gone through the gap Hodgson had about as much space as a winger is ever going to get at this level and would have had a nice little warming canter to the in goal area.

So explain how playing away from home against the Champions who have only lost 2 opening games in 17 years was a missed opportunity.
Good luck with that

I watched the game with a dozen or so Loiners and they agreed Bentham performed as if a brown envelope was waiting for him after the match. Some of his decisions were baffling but whats new there? He was Justin's thorn in the side, and it seems he is now Sandercocks lol!

Nevertheless, I still thought Rovers had enough possession in the first thirty of so minutes to have scored more than the one try; that was the difference for me, Rovers inability to turn pressure into points.

In the end, the Rhino's gave Rovers an object lesson in playing the full eighty minutes, but I have to say there were more than enough signs to suggest Rovers are going to improve on that performance. I enjoyed the game and felt proud of Rovers even in defeat.

How did Craig Hall go? He played 6 for us once at Headingley and was one of his best games in a Hull shirt.

Our coach broke down around 3/4 times on the journey to the game, well we never even got to Leeds on that coach. A few phone calls was made and another coach came from the ground to pick us up, I believe it was from Apollo and I would like to thank the lads and the driver for going out there way to look after us. Got to the game at 4-4, so obviously missed an exciting start.

Got to say I think we can take plenty of positiives from the game, we where easily the better side for 60 mins as most have mentioned. Last 10/15 of the first half though we should have posted more points on the board, we where very dominatnt in that period. We ended up in the new Carnegie Stand for the second half, really enjoyed it in there, very good facilities. Fans seemed pretty friendly too in there. A few dodgy decisions did go against us and was commented by some Leeds fans stood with us too. Bentham gave a penalty against us for a been all over Brent Webb about 10y yards right in front of thier posts and went down feild to score off the back of it. Webb never attampted to get to his feet to play the ball, the penalty could have easily gone our way. It was a problem last season conceding trys on the back of penalties and it proved costly again last night.

Had to wait around an hour for another coach from Hull to pick us up, yes it was cold but everyone was in high spirits even after the defeat. Really enjoyed the whole day and thank god the season is back up and running!!!!

Offensively we looked dangerous all game, and defensively (unit wise) a step up from last year. Just the odd lapse cost us dearly and teams like Leeds punish this. Obviously Dobbo's kicking was a massive let down (granted none were easy) but we know he's capable, and with a few conversions we'd would have been right in the game in the last 10 mins.

Bent'ham was a thorn in our side all night long, we couldn't cope with him - unstoppable if you like.


Mcdonnell's tackling maybe a worry

Still, a good start

Solid enough complete with a few 'Hall moments'

Negatives
A soft knock on in our 10m - which led to 4 sets on our line before Leeds scored (score @ 4-4 I think)
Failed to find touch from a penalty

Postives
Looked dangerous 1st half esp
Kicking - esp spiral bombs (I could almost hear Stevo and the words 'whoa it's got snow on it')

Interesting that Sandercock certainly sees him as a 6 and will persist with the defending out wide option. Definitely talent there, think this might be the best plan to optimise his contribution.

I thought the game pretty much hinged on the 1st Watkins try, which was a blatant crossing IMO. Put McGuire in space and he put Waktins over. It was 16 all or 14-16 HKR at that time. After that the scoreline blew out. I think Leeds were just about edging the game and would have won it, but there wasn't much in it.

Thought Dobson had an absolute stinker, but your forwards look like they can match it with anyone this season if they can stay off the physio's table.

I don't think we've seen the best of him yet. He was another Morgan non-favourite for most of last season but came back in and did the business - you never know he might reach his potential at last.

Time will tell - but at the moment he's certainly our best option @ 6 imo. The Lovegrove/Hall defensive swap seems to work too.
With Hall the more attacking ball he gets, the better his contribution is - as you say.

It's a big ask replacing Green, but if he continues in the fashion he has done so far, then we might do reet.

Best plan till we get Blake Green or Ben Galea back.

this is almost conspiracy theory to the level of fahrenheit 911 and the saddest/funniest part of it is you really believe it.

Just a point in isolation, but has anyone ever seen a second rower throw a quicker, longer and more accurate pass than Mika last night?

As a Leeds fan, I thought you lot went pretty well last night, you were in it up until the last 15/20 mins. Play like that throughout the season and I think you will do pretty well

No question about it but we have to turn up with that intensity week in, week out and hopefully hold it together for the full 80. Think we have made the play-offs for the last 4 years running and I cant see anything changing there.

Jesus, where do you buy your delusional juice from?

The fact that rovers were "the best team" for 60 minutes against the reigning champions rather proves the point they were slow starters don't you think?

Hall's problem has always seemed to be a lack of ability to concentrate for more than about 10 minutes at a time. At Hull I really liked him and thought he'd get better but he didn't. i hope he responds well to a new coach and starts to fulfil his potential

That really was amazing! He put no effort into it either! Every time either him of Paea get the ball there is a buzz in the crowd, really exciting players.

With regards to Hally, I think he has to stay at stand off. He's one of the most naturally gifted players in the squad and can really make things happen. He will contribute to more being scored than he will to points conceded. Look at the break he made on the last tackle the put McDonnell through when his kick just skipped dead, that could've changed the game and was a real moment of quick thinking. The longer he plays this role the better he will get and the higher his confidence will be.

Yeah! It was right in front of where I was stood, I thought we could be in trouble as he should be at least be able to get an offload away, but he didn't even make an effort to challenge McGuire, he just happily ran into touch.