7 replies to this topic

[NickD]

Not all doom and gloom me thinks. Today will do us good, not least with it being the first game. It has shown that to do well in this league you have to play rugby. Unfortunately we got through the NR cup games (South Wales apart) thinking that you can win games without offloading, without backing up, without a game plan on the opponents line and by sticking it up your jumper for 60 minutes and thankfully for us Batley have put those thoughts to bed. Some are saying the lads didnt try. Thats a bit harsh on Dom and Scott who gave 110%. We were just beaten by a better team and I expect Batley to do very well this season. We were never going to get much from today and I said in an earlier post we would be lucky to get a point. They have a good set of forwards, one very good winger, but MOST importantly they have two good half backs (they have three actually, but one wasnt playing today) and today they showed just how important that is! I thought Dom tried really hard, but, boy oh boy we need a number 6. Josh isnt it and unforunately neither is Patch. I like to be pessimistic, its fun, but I think we need to wait until after next weeks game before we know how hard the league campaign will be. If we can start playing rugby I think we have a chance. They could do worse than go watch the reserves. Anyone who went on Thursday night will have seen rugby being played how I like it as the forty point to 20 point win showed. If we play like we did today it will be a long, long season.

[Blind side johnny]

I hope you're right.

The worrying thing is that the tactical and structural failures are obvious to all of the fans but we don't pick or coach the team. It was so obvious that they were playing to strict team orders, with no plan B, that it was painful to watch. Interestingly in the last 5 minutes where we got up to their half again some of the players started to throw the ball about a bit and we looked ever so slightly dangerous.

Next Saturday will tell the fans a lot about the lessons that have been learned.

[9' oller]

suprised how one dimensional and lethargic your lads were.

did they not realise where they were?

Heavy woolen derbys produce bragging rights and 90% of the rams seemed to be thinking about the 'Dancing on ice' results!

Tansey- over paid, over rated, no respect for football at this level!

[Bat Lad]

Thought Dewsbury were ok today, but Batleys defence was top drawer and thats what won it for me.
You beat Barrow last week so you dont become a bad team in 7 days.
Good luck next week.

[muddyfunster]

I thought Dom tried really hard, but, boy oh boy we need a number 6. Josh isnt it and unforunately neither is Patch.

Patch is 100 times better than the so called Super League starlet we currently have. Too few people give him the credit he deserves OK he might not be as quick to react as we would like but he tackles like a forward, which makes a hell of a difference and generally does a sound enough job.

[NickD]

Patch is 100 times better than the so called Super League starlet we currently have. Too few people give him the credit he deserves OK he might not be as quick to react as we would like but he tackles like a forward, which makes a hell of a difference and generally does a sound enough job.

Patch is a good player. I have said so many times. He tackles everything that moves, has a solid kicking game and would be in my first team every time. However he would be exactly where someone like Patch should be; at looseforward. He isnt a number six. that said neither is our Super League starlet. I havent the answer either. There are that mnay good half backs around. Its a pity that Batley have three of them !

[muddyfunster]

One positive is Batley showed us what we need to do to be able to compete this year!

[grumpyoldram]

Patch is 100 times better than the so called Super League starlet we currently have. Too few people give him the credit he deserves OK he might not be as quick to react as we would like but he tackles like a forward, which makes a hell of a difference and generally does a sound enough job.

And that would be fine if we also fielded a forward who ran and passed like a good half back, but we don't. Patch is fine as a loose forward, but doesn't have the pace or guile to be effective at this level - that is not a criticism of his commitment or ability, it's just a fact. What we should be asking is why Patch is HAVING to tackle like a forward.