gazza77

Solid performance today against a poor Batley side. Did anyone catch Radio Leeds and what Cooke said about Williams and Wynne after the game? Having listened all the way to that point, I lost signal at the critical point as I got close to home.

Also probably frees up Hardy to be a permanent 2nd row.

I'd differ in my view on that. Far easier to reverse in and pull out forwards, giving far better vision as you leave the space. If you're a halfway competent driver, shouldn't take any longer to back in either. I'd agree with @Padge about parking nose in at a supermarket however.

Apparently it was filmed, and the club intend to put it online for those who weren't able to attend, myself included. No idea when though...

You're a day early, squads are announced 48 hours before kickoff.

Police investigate any fatality in Motorsport, standard practise.

Flying is an unusual way to cross the Pennines.

Been there, got the compensation. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-60369098

At the risk of deviating off topic (sorry Colin), interesting to see Olpherts getting votes here given the slating he tends to get in other posts on the forum, and on the terraces. I can't say he's been outstanding since joining us, and has had at least one shocker, but he's nowhere near as bad as some want to make out. I do wonder at times of he's just a fan scapegoat given he's taken Gale's place.

First two tries of TO seemed fairly well worked to me, and for much of the rest of the game it seemed two reasonably well matched but average teams. Overall I'd agree with Phil's comments. It does feel like a number of questions looking back though. If your starting prop can only manage 12 mins, couldn't they do a short second stint later, even if just to try to gain match fitness? Is a fully fit but average championship half back a better option than a clearly unfit but top end championship halfback? Does repeatedly changing the kick-off time have a detrimental impact on attendance?

That's a valid point. I'd still expect him to be a starter however, so Hatton or O'Connor to be dropped? As a loanee it doesn't seem to offer much in th way of player development when looking at HKR's perspective if he's just going to train with us when he could have been a starter at Hunslet.

I wonder if we've jumped the gun in signing a potential replacement in Noah Booth then, or he's likely to displace Olpherts ahead of Gale instead. Would seem odd to bring someone in on loan without playing them.

As long as he doesn't get fitness tested by Trump's physician...

It was circa 3.5k to get up to the next level in IMG scoring for attendances iirc. I've not seen any mention linked to finances, just to what is needed to get a step nearer SL.

Highlights now out, so a few more thoughts from watching live. Nothing new, just reiterates thoughts. Physically, we still look like 12 2nd rows, plus Springer. As long as Vuniyayawa, Beckett, et al play above their size, we'll manage at this level. It's an open league and we've a decent team, let's embrace that. Ignoring the shocking tackle attempts for the first try, York's second and third were well worked. We'd have been happy to score them. Connor Jones shouldn't have outjumped the defense for our first try. Great effort. Rocky may or may not be a good goal kicker. His technique looks rushed, which is going to panic fans. Like it or not we're a championship team. Let's enjoy entertaining and challenging games, not assuming we'll win every week.

Felt to me that we started reasonably, but once we'd conceded the first try from some shocking defending then it all went to pot for the rest of the half. Something must have put a rocket up backsides at halftime, let's hope it's done before kickoff next time!

With Turner on the bench, I'm wondering if we'll potentially see him on at some point and Jones moving to hooker.

One example here, Riley Dean recalled from York to send to Dewsbury. I'm sure it won't be the only one, often between SL and 2 Championship clubs. https://dewsburyrams.co.uk/2021/08/06/dean-joins-on-loan-from-warrington/

Not the first time a season long loan hasn't lasted anywhere near a season, and won't be the last.

Is it compulsory to support your hometown club anyway?

Top 5 spies article coming up next?

Interesting you should mention Locky, who I noticed was doing onfield trainer duties today. Any idea when he returned to the club, and what his role is?

I remember them as a cornerstone of several high streets I grew up with as a kid, particularly Ponte where I lived. Equally I now look at them as a an expensive shop amongst many at airports. I'm 48, and it's probably at least 30 years+ since I purchased from them other than their airport outlets. It's both sad and unsurprising in equal measures

To put some independent perspective to it, I've just been chatting to a Cougars fan at work. He compared the three Championship teams they've played so far this year in us, Halifax and York. His view was that Fax were head and shoulders as the best of the three.