Blind side johnny

He had a leg injury. I don't think that half back was where our defensive weaknesses were, though. We conceded points right at the end that made the game look more unbalanced than it was and these coincided with Dixon getting a yellow card. I expect him to get a ban for that as well.

A slippery slope there Dave. If you check through the laws (not recommended) you might be surprised by how many aren't "properly" adhered to nowadays. You might also be surprised if you watched any old videos (70's for example) just how much was let go in those rose-tinted days as well.

Many touch judges do this in the Championship nowadays. Some fans get particularly irate about it but I don't really know why, as long as they don't interfere with play. These are often the same fans who complain about the linesmen (sic) not putting their flags up for offside.

Coincidence?

Would "a curate's egg" be a suitable description?

We will lose the series, if it actually goes ahead.

You could have written this 60 years ago (to the Reporter, of course). RL fans have always believed that their leaders are idiots - it fits with the rebellious origins of our game.

Did that give you a shock?

No, he posted a while back that the forums were a pale shadow of their former selves so wasn't bothering much. It's like complaining that all the pubs are shutting, even though you never go to one.

Either interest is dwindling rapidly or these forums are on their last legs. Matches against Swinton have often been unpredictable affairs but the lions must be favourites for this one, on current form. Their coach, Kilshaw, has a record of getting one over on us, just like he did last season and they have produced a couple of impressive performances. I will attend in hope rather than expectation. Lions 26 - 18 Rams FTS: Restall Att: 985

Hmm, so your players are easily distracted by loud music? I guess a few Championship coaches will already be formulating some innovative plans.

I wasn't there so cannot comment on the performance. What is pertinent, however, is that this may have been one of the matches that could decide our fate at the end of the season, and the next two games fit into that same category. If this trio of games were to comprise a three match losing streak then the writing will already be on the wall. To prevent that the team has to quickly learn to put in a consistent (good) performance throughout the 80 minutes - just turning it on for one half won't suffice. On the plus side we do seem to be seeing some promising performances from our young, relatively untested, players.

How many "star" signings dropping down from SL to a Championship club have actually been good value? Far fewer than those who significantly disappointed, I would say.

He isn't transferring his playing registration I believe, so what would the club be compensated by Hull for?

Turner back in the squad but no Rush again - anyone know why?

Al Bowlly was the original you will recall.

With a fair bit of our spine missing, once again, I am struggling to see us get anything from this match. Maybe a more committed forward display together with some sharpness at half back will see an improvement on last week. It's a lovely old ground, one of my favourites, but I will be unable to be present this time. Raiders 26 - 16 Rams MoM: Davies

We (Dewsbury) are carrying injuries to some key players weakening their attacking threat considerably. We are still a work in progress and I would expect the bookies to be giving us +10. No supporters' bus coming either, unfortunately, so our support will also be reduced from normal against you. (I shall also be absent, for domestic reasons, which is a shame as yours is one of my favourite grounds to visit, especially when we occasionally win.)

Their forwards were largely dominant and half backs were more active. Not a special side as many have said, but they beat us relatively easily.

Thanks for that.

The club was in a mild state of panic at the time. Being run by a committee never helped when decisions needed to be made.

He also acted as coach for a couple of games yet seems to have been airbrushed out of our history.

No half backs makes it difficult to win games of RL. Callum was injured last week, so we don't know how long he will be missing for. Bailey has an ankle injury that looks to keep him out for a few weeks and Brad won't be back for another month at least. I don't know why Rush was absent but he might have picked up a knock as well, who knows? The organising ability their halfs combined with the nous of Fozard and much better timing in running and passing made the difference. On another day, with a full compliment available, we might have won this one.

Injured in training I understand - may be out for 4 weeks. Don't worry Nick, it should give a chance for Restall to get back in. This will be more difficult than last week and we will do well to get anything out of it. I will be happy with another good, committed performance and very happy with any points. It would be nice to get a decent gate with a few more visitors than Batley could muster.

Such a shame that a poor crowd eventually dragged themselves down to the match, which was a joy from a Dewsbury point of view. For the first 20 minutes it was all Batley pressure and we could only kick our possession away from poor positions. Then from some clever play down the left by O'Connor we were away for a breakaway try and never really looked back after that. The players lifted themselves and improved by the minute as Batley seemed to fade away. the second half seemed to pass much more quickly than the first, thanks to our dominance. I ended up disappointed to concede that try right at the end as I so wanted to nil them - never mind. I confess to being a little baffled by the team selection and was critical of it before the game. However, each player put a really good shift in against a fair bit of niggle and we left the pitch with our heads held high. A great afternoon's entertainment for those fans who could make it. I hope that Turner's injury isn't serious - he played very well today.