marklaspalmas

I counted the minutes of each forward, as below. Our subs rotation was disrupted by the foul play injury inflicted on Wynne, which definitely had an influence on the game (although imo York were the better side and deserved to win, McShane's dropped ball over the line notwithstanding). 8 Players (all the backs minus Wynne plus the second-rows) did the full 80. Kudos to them all on a hot day, especially both Day and Webb who did a lot of tackling in the middle. Wynne = 50 mins (including HT break) Springer 17 + 10 = 27 mins Addy 18 + 29 = 47 mins Jubb 25 + 30 = 55 mins Beckett 36 + 22 = 58 mins Moran = 45 mins (including HT break) Wilde = 40 mins (including HT break) Jones = 55 mins (including HT break) Akauloa 15 +8 = 23 mins (including HT break) My inexpert observations here include: great spell from Beckett again, big effort from both AHBs as Jones had to cover the three quarters after Wynne was kneed, Solid efforts from Moran and Wilde, who tired a bit. Better minutes from Akauola, who can improve more, Springer not quite at his best but still a handful, Addy adapting to his new role after doing much longer spells last season.

Reynolds 0/2 on the goals.

For the Trainspotters and Groundhoppers this will be a new ground for Rovers to play on, the 122nd different venue we've played at, and the first new one since Crusader Park in Thatto Heath last season.

Huge game coming up. We took the league points with a great 2nd half performance. But of course York won at Wembley. They are one of the Championship's top teams. Looking at the league now, Toulouse, Bradford, Oldham and York look firm for the top 6. I think Halifax and Barrow will back themselves , but maybe on the slide a bit. Fev and Donny both playing better now than previously and Widnes still not without hopes. I think the bottom four now will be the bottom four in September. Hopefully we didn't pick up any injuries v Halifax. I've not heard of any. So those 17, plus the out of favour Hatton, Olpherts and Akauola will be available. There's talk of Stevens being ready soon, Turner not sure, and Williams, O'Connor and Tuimavave longer term absentees

That was a typo. I meant for Fev.

TPH was asking when was the last time we kicked three penalty goals in a match. Back in the day, it was fairly regular for Rovers to score more goals than tries in a match, and in a season when we had the amazing Steve Quinn kicking. The four point try reduced the attractiveness of kicking penalty goals and the temptation to 'run it' nearly always wins out nowadays. Reynolds kicked three last night. The last time anyone did that for Fev? More than three years ago. A significant fixture. Who? And when? And where?

Big match and we need a big performance against Fax, who are still Top Six but haven't won for weeks. Rovers have the same XVII that were a bit hit-and-miss v Hunslet on Sunday, plus Jack Arnold and newbie Pat Moran. Jayden Hatton is also in the 20 man squad but is apparently not in favour, for reasons not apparent to me. Changes from last Sunday? Assuming Aekins is fit, perhaps very little. I assume Moran gets a run and beefs up the pack. Who misses out? Perhaps Hardcastle. Another option (popular with some no doubt) would be to shift Josh to centre, move GG back to his natural wing spot, and give a rest to Olpherts. However, in Cookey we trust. Seven wins in the second half of the season may well be enough for a playoff spot, but nobody will be giving us those wins, and it's been a topsy-turvy season so far.

Four tries all, but Queensland still eight points up

Penalties killing NSW. 7-0 the count. Blues forwards fail to get on top and dominate as they did in Game 1 All credit to Queensland. Unrecognisable from the Lang Park shambles

No Jordan Williams in our 21 man squad. Everyone else is there bar long-term absences Tuimavave, Stevens and O'Connor

A talented scrum-half. Rest In Peace. https://www.fevarchive.co.uk/players/peter-banner/61/

After the Lord Mayor's Show? Let's hope not. Rovers will have to be mentally tough to back up from the disappointment at Wembley as we really need these league points. It'll officially mark the halfway stage in the Championship. As well as the 17 who worked so hard against York, we can welcome back Glover and Wilde which will be good. It's now been quite a while since Turner, Akauola or Hatton played any rugby. Tuimavave and Stevens are injured and whilst nothing confirmed yet, let's hope the news on O'Connor is positive. Not sure if anyone picked up a knock in the final or not. Vital two points.

Help me out with the gaps: 1. Doncaster 2. Featherstone 3. Featherstone 4. Retired (Bradford) 5. Hurricanes? 6. Retired? 7. Retired 8. Retired (Oldham) 9. Hurricanes? 10. Retired 11. Goole 12. Warrington 13. Doncaster 14. Batley 15. Widnes 16. Dewsbury? 17. Keighley?

This is my preferred line up. The only other variation I can think of is if Hatton is not right, or Hardcastle is needed in the forwards, is Jones to centre, Turner on the bench to cover Reynolds and / or interchange with Jubb if he can't do the 80 minutes. This is not the option I'd prefer.

Just Gareth Gale and Josh Hardcastle remain as survivors from the 2021 Wembley squad.