Northern Eel

'Cause them women singers make a right screeching noise you know. And them women violin players.

The worrying thing for Bradford is that Wakey are only having to do the basics well. They are dominating the middle, and therefore can exploit the edges.

Hattrick for Johnstone at 17 mins and the gap between the two teams is laid clear for all to see.

Wakey have demolished Cas. They can only beat what is in front of them. Cas have served up a right buffet and Wakey have feasted on it. It'll be a long season for Cas if this continues.

Lovely try that. Great hands and running lines.

For all that Cas have a couple of dangerous runners in attack, they would have to score a truck load of tries to compensate for this very, very poor defense.

I had the need to drive there from Notts. Parked at Maghul and did the Park and Ride to Sandhills. £4.80. I left on the final hooter and was home again for 7.30pm. The stuff that was in the hands of the RFL, such as merch etc was exactly the same as other venues; almost anonymous. The outside area of the stadium has so much potential for a proper fan zone, although I’m not sure what arrangement would be available with Everton. Not sure it is any better than SJP for Magic Weekend, but it is certainly a no brainer for future big internationals and possibly the GF whilst OT is being flattened.

Exactly my conversation leaving the ground. We had a couple of half breaks, but nobody could quite find the illusory step or acceleration. So close again.

Whilst it is being flattened, I mean.

There is no debate in my mind where the grand final needs to go…

There’s no obvious gaps in the stadium. Looks like every ticket went…

This place is incredible! What a superb venue for rugby league. We’ve got to come back….

Well, I suppose I'd better get my gladrags on an mosey on over to the North West. I hope everyone enjoys the game. Despite my fears about the scoreline, I’m really excited to experience the new ground as I could see it becoming a firm favourite for big games in the future.

It's a week already. Wow. There's been a lot of chat over the first game. Can we improve sufficiently to make a go of game 2?

Very loudly, nearing the end of a long session on the IPA, and at an unexpected lull... 'I know he's a bit of a character, but I reckon that Gledhill fella is just a big fluffy bear that needs a bit of love'.