69 replies to this topic

[Blakemore]

Poor! Thought myself it looked like me have gone back to how we played v warrington under 20's we looked clueless going forward. Both hawkyard brothers had good games. Thought Higson was quality aswel. Against Workington we put together good plays but now we seem to have gone back to pre season! I expected a win today i did not expect to get beat by 18 points. Yes they have good players but so do we. Ritchie is great going forward but i personally still feel mort should be No.1, Ritchie should be in the team as cover and competition for every other place. David Mills looks poor and doesn't impress me as one of our 'big signings'. Kev penny situation is frustrating to hear that he turned out for Sale Fc last week. Hurst didnt impress at all therefore i think we need foxen on the wing. Roll on next sunday and hopefully we can beat Siddal!!

[marshy1]

For me it was a game of two halves,we were poor defensively and again conceeded sloppy tries.The second half i thought we defended really well and restricted Dewsbury to getting in our half on limited sets.What we couldn't do was turn all the pressure into points which is worrying. I also thought we were the victim of some poor ref decisions,we all knew it would be tough this season and all we can do is stick by the lads as they never gave up.

[Barnie]

I don't think anyone can be blamed for todays result, other than ourselves. we are in desperate need of a tricky half back with genuine pace. our two half backs atm are far too similar and both lack that burst and our kicking was woeful. we are not a million miles away from being a side that can do well in this league we are just lacking speed.

[LOYALION]

I lost count of the number of sets they had, all of which they completed face down or still on their feet. This allowed them to play the ball very quickly and have us on the back foot without a proper defensive pattern being set!They were physically stronger and had better tackling technique. We desperately need to toughen up and dominate the tackle area!

[Blind side johnny]

Your guys played well at times and the scoreline doesn't really reflect the game. You did, however, let in a couple of tries with woeful defending and this is a reflection on promotion in my view. things that you might get away with in CC1 get punished in the Championship (we learned this the hard way too). similarly you have to put away your chances and I think you blew at least two straightforward opportunities today. You have the good fortune that there is no relegation this year so won't be playing with that worry hanging over your heads. I expect your team to improve as the season progresses, but remember, so will all of the others.

You might give some credit to Dewsbury's defence particularly on their own line when you had tons of possession.

Hawkyard (No1) played really well today but had far too much to do, making up for some players who seemed reluctant to work as hard as him. His brother also had a strong game. You didn't seem as strong at half back as you were last season, but they are a rarer breed in our game nowadays, seemingly.

[Furryenzo]

Very disappointed with our inability to compete today. Massive credit to dewsbury who are a much, much improved outfit on last year and that did surprise me. However, im going to be perhaps a bit harsh in the next few comments but it is how I see it. What a waste of time, effort and money david mills really is. He is a big, unfit, waste of space in the middle of the park. The guy is huge, and yet even when he ran the ball in from kick off with a 20 meter run up he could only make 5 yards (if that) in the tackle and got taken down easily. He is seriously not a patch on dana wilson last year, and if he is getting paid a large some, which rumours suggest he is, then what a waste of money!!!! Holland, Morrison, Wingfield, Forster (from what iv seen) and any other props we have are a mile better than he is, with much less of the physical attributes.

Im not going to start having a go at the players today, as I think there was a genuine 110% effort put in for 75% of the game (barring the first 20). Darren Hawkyard was immense as per, richie was also on top form, higson and others also played well.

IMO everything were doing at the moment isnt working. I beleive in our player's (the vast majority's) abilities, but I think the structure and organisation of the side is whats letting us down. Im going to be very controversial and say I think we should massivly shake things up. Shock therapy if you will. Id play I'anson at scrum half, Ashall at stand-off (not a position he plays but he has all the right attributes to give it a go) and put ainscough in the centres. Watson for me should be number 14 and play the 'paul scholes' role of controlling the game in the later stages from hooker or SH (as he plays for wales). I think all players, mainly the forwards, need to seriously work on there acceleration and the 'moves' need to be revised. This could work, it may not, but I think it will definitively speed up the ball distribution with the halfbacks mentioned above. A complete change around in squad roles could give us the boost we need to start being competitive in the league.

I may be wrong, and I am by no means as qualified as Steve Mc, but I think it could be an idea worth pursuing. I believe in our team and coach but right now, were just not performing to the required levels.

[mark richardson]

Poor! Thought myself it looked like me have gone back to how we played v warrington under 20's we looked clueless going forward. Both hawkyard brothers had good games. Thought Higson was quality aswel. Against Workington we put together good plays but now we seem to have gone back to pre season! I expected a win today i did not expect to get beat by 18 points. Yes they have good players but so do we. Ritchie is great going forward but i personally still feel mort should be No.1, Ritchie should be in the team as cover and competition for every other place. David Mills looks poor and doesn't impress me as one of our 'big signings'. Kev penny situation is frustrating to hear that he turned out for Sale Fc last week. Hurst didnt impress at all therefore i think we need foxen on the wing. Roll on next sunday and hopefully we can beat Siddal!!

Agree with most of what you say but mort isnt doing the business for me . He was weak today. Hawkyard was awesome! He should remain at fullback.
I thought hurst had a tremendous game. His try was started by him on the right wing and finished by him on the left.
Everything else bang on.

[Barnie]

We need a winger so Mort for me is the best choice. decent in defense and an awesome kicker.

[PhillH]

Dewsbury were clearly the better side. The Rams had much the physically stronger players right across the park, their handling of the ball was more assured and higher paced, they had a couple of strong options for tactical kicking. When they got in front the Rams concentrated on playing controlled simple error-free stuff, combined with a well organised defence to close the game down very effectively. Ayden Faal in particular had a really strong game, ran well and showed some quite classy handling skills too in the first half.

The Lions were second best but could have made a closer game of it with a dose of extra composure with ball-in-hand when in good attacking positions. The last tackle plays were too often ragged, smacked of individuals doing their own thing and let the Rams easily off-the-hook when they ought to have been under a building wave of pressure. Watson's tactical kicking was again a bit off-key, always seemed to find the man rather than space when going for position, and there still isn't much evidence of a good second string.

The key to breaking down a side like Dewsbury is to stretch them across the field. On occasions the Lions achieved that in the second half. The first improvement was Watson starting to run with it and taking the ball towards the Rams' line rather than being in "stand and pass" mode; the other players could then follow him and suddenly the Lions were attacking in proper numbers moving forwards in unison rather than in ones. Secondly Ainscough stood a little deeper as the second pivot in the centre channels and started getting a bit more space. Plus the introduction of Ashall added some much needed extra zip.

Lack of support play is another important missing element. Neither Watson, Ainscough nor Smith really has the pace to routinely back up the ball-carrier. The result being a tremendous break from Meekin, but with only Lee Wingfield anywhere near him to pass to! If the half backs or hooker don't have the legs to provide support in such circumstances, someone else has to do it. Perhaps Ritchie Hawkyard could ask Neil Turley how its done from full back.

Overall today Ritchie was guilty of trying too hard. Frustration got the better of him, resulting in rash speculative passes thrown out on the first and second tackle when there was no need and no real benefit to be had even if they stuck. Also conceding a silly penalty when in possession. He needs a chill pill at times - the aforementioned dose of composure.

Alex Hurst was unfortunate to receive a beautifully placed kick that led to him being tackled into touch to set up the position for one Dewsbury try, but there was little excuse for his dropped ball that had a similar outcome later on. His handling had been dodgy at the start of last season, but it improved after a few games. Dewsbury worked a lot of very nice moves down the Lions' right wing in the first half and made some hay, but they definitely met better defending than Sheffield did.

I'd be amazed if we see Kevin Penny play for the Lions again. The team selection last week stretched the limit of credibility if we were to believe that Kevin Penny was truly available for selection. Even moreso after today with two changes on the wings and still no sight of Kevin Penny. Are we to honestly believe he is now the 5th choice winger? "You cannot be serious!" He's obviously decided to move on! The club ought to make an announcement to that effect and get it over and done with - the Sale RFC "story" clearly had more substance than was admitted to when it broke!

Its looking like a long hard season though.

[Bryce]

We seemed to shore up on defence on the wings and forget how to do the simple stuff in the middle of the park. Two tries from Dummy half is not acceptable at this level and I'm sure Steve let the players know that. We couldn't break down Dewsbury with about 5 sets on their line, and credit to them for that, they deserved the win.

I'm in agreement with Furryenzo, we could do with a bit of a shake up, maybe not as dramatic as proposed as I do like Ainscough at 6.

And Mark Richardson summed up Mr Hursts game quite nicely for me (his first game in a month, same as Morty). They should get another chance on the wings and I'm sure they'll do some real damage, as well as being pretty sound in defence. Ritchie had another good game at FB, his break was one of the most creative pieces of running all game!

For me, our best forwards have been Holland, D.Hawkyard and Meekin so far this season, Mills hasn't come close.

And where's our USA contingent? Dewsbury scored an American football "touchdown" today! Controversial...

[GLENNGARY]

I don't agree that we were poor today overall Dewsbury were the better team,but Ireckon we ran them very close in the second half. Take away the two outrageous discisions just before half time that gifted Dewsbury twelve points and the result would have been a lot closer. One of our main problems is we move the ball far to slow across the field.All the championship teams we have played this season so far have been far slicker on moving the ball to the wings and it as stretched us time and again, we have to get up to this pace to compete.We also have to stop turning the ball back inside to static forwards especially onthe opponents line, we are not creative enough and seem to take to many wrong options.Having said all that Idon't think we are to far away from being competitive,but I also think we need more pace at half back and the forwards need to run harder on the ball. Another gripe I have is against the wingers which includes all at the club Why do you insist on coming in field to take up the ball like extra forwards.you are wingers stay in position because it means that the centres are pulled out of position to cover. Iam a great Darren Hawkyard fan,but why have him running out wide like an extra centre,just think of the damage he could do running on to a ball up the middle.Just the kind of player to open up the middle. I would also bring back Foxen even with is defensive frailties we need more pace on the wing.Surely with a defensive coach is defence canbe tightened.I still think we will get better and finish about half way.

[Sniper Dennison]

I don't think anyone can be blamed for todays result, other than ourselves. we are in desperate need of a tricky half back with genuine pace. our two half backs atm are far too similar and both lack that burst and our kicking was woeful. we are not a million miles away from being a side that can do well in this league we are just lacking speed.

[Sniper Dennison]

I don't think anyone can be blamed for todays result, other than ourselves. we are in desperate need of a tricky half back with genuine pace. our two half backs atm are far too similar and both lack that burst and our kicking was woeful. we are not a million miles away from being a side that can do well in this league we are just lacking speed.

[Sniper Dennison]

Spot in Scott

[lions4eva]

Where is Gorski? One of our best players against Worky and then not selected for the next 2 games? I do believe in Squad rotation but partnerships need to be formed at this early stage of the season. If rotation is the policy, then surely its time to give Watson his day off. I agree with the comments about him being no.14, he is also the player coach, his influence on the training field should be enough to allow another scrum half to play at 7. For me R.Hawkyard was our best player again, along with his brother and Higson. Our props are boderline embarassing. Hurst has poor ball retention, but does his duties in other areas. This is my personal opinion;

1.Mort
2.Foxen
3.Higson
4.Armstrong
5.Hurst
6.Ainscough
7.Hawkyard
8.Forster
9.Ashall
10.Morrison
11.Gorski
12.D.Hawkyard
13.Chaz I'anson

14.Watson
15.Meekin
16.Hale
17.Holland.

[wayne_r]

I generally agree with Marshy's comments - but with the addition that Dewsbury had a strong left wing pairing and used them to great effect. Our forwards did not generally make much ground driving in from first man against a big pack apart from Meekin's fantastic break. We did do not run deep lines and use the strenght in our centre - both of whom had strong games for me today. The big issue has to be converting possession and pressure into points........Dewsbury were a solid side and typical of the majority of the teams in the division. We can all debate team selection and I like everyone else has an opinion on who should be where in the team - but that is a topic on its own.

[PhillH]

Kev penny situation is frustrating to hear that he turned out for Sale Fc last week.

An interesting sequence of events here!

The Sale FC website confirms Kevin Penny made his debut for their second team on 18th February, indeed won the man-of-the-match scoring 4 tries.

http://www.salefc.co...tch_reports/899

The next day Kevin Penny then played for Swinton Lions at the Leigh Sports Village against Hunslet Hawks in the Northern Rail Cup. Also on the 19th, Sale confirmed his signing with a press release.

After the story broke in the press on the 20th, Steve McCormack was obviously in the dark and on 21st posted on twitter that the Sale story was not true and Penny had trained with the Lions the night before. Presumably Steve McCormack didn't then know that Penny had already played for Sale second team on the 18th.

The following press report indicates he again played for the Sale second team against Northwich at Heywood Road last week, scoring a "magnificent 70 metre solo try".....

http://menmedia.co.u...k-13-sale-fc-66

Kevin Penny has clearly had his fill of the Lions and decided he is better off adding to his already long list of clubs and playing second team rugby union. Given the initial denials from Steve McCormack, its pretty clear Penny engineered his move away covertly.

Despite this, Lions supporters should not be left to scrabble around for this kind of information in order to find out why he's not playing!

Edited by PhillH, 19 March 2012 - 10:55 AM.

[PhillH]

* Double post * This website isn't behaving itself today!

Edited by PhillH, 19 March 2012 - 10:53 AM.

[marshy1]

An interesting sequence of events here!

The Sale FC website confirms Kevin Penny made his debut for their second team on 18th February, indeed won the man-of-the-match scoring 4 tries.

http://www.salefc.co...tch_reports/899

The next day Kevin Penny then played for Swinton Lions at the Leigh Sports Village against Hunslet Hawks in the Northern Rail Cup. Also on the 19th, Sale confirmed his signing with a press release.

After the story broke in the press on the 20th, Steve McCormack was obviously in the dark and on 21st posted on twitter that the Sale story was not true and Penny had trained with the Lions the night before. Presumably Steve McCormack didn't then know that Penny had already played for Sale second team on the 18th.

The following press report indicates he again played for the Sale second team against Northwich at Heywood Road last week, scoring a "magnificent 70 metre solo try".....

http://menmedia.co.u...k-13-sale-fc-66

Kevin Penny has clearly had his fill of the Lions and decided he is better off adding to his already long list of clubs and playing second team rugby union. Given the initial denials from Steve McCormack, its pretty clear Penny engineered his move away covertly.

Despite this, Lions supporters should not be left to scrabble around for this kind of information in order to find out why he's not playing!

If the events are as you have stated Phil, then good riddance to Mr Penny. i don't want to see any player playing for the Lions unless the are 110% committed to the club in this instance it suggests he wasn't.
I do agree that a statement either by the club or Steve Mc would be useful.

[Blind side johnny]

If the events are as you have stated Phil, then good riddance to Mr Penny. i don't want to see any player playing for the Lions unless the are 110% committed to the club in this instance it suggests he wasn't.
I do agree that a statement either by the club or Steve Mc would be useful.

Maybe he just needs the money!