The Lad

Swinton came with a game plan, leading with the forearm, swinging arms and lots of high tackles. Thought the ref let a lot of things go and lost some control. When we went down to 12 men with 20 mins to go I thought it was over. The desire we showed in the last 20 was brilliant, we were better in that last quarter then any other point in the game. We have been a little off the last couple of weeks but that last 20 showed the lads want to play for each other and are willing to put in a lot of effort.

Workington were beatable and if we'd played like we did against Keighley or Cornwall we would have won. Workington did the basics right but nothing we couldn't have delt with if we played better. We were poor and our attack was easy to read, when we did rally at the end it was to late.

Hornets looked good for the first 20 mins, we restricted them to their own half and scored two quick tries. Then it went wrong. We allowed ourselves to be dragged into and arm wrestle, we allowed Workington to get under our skin and became frustrated, we became flustered and started to force the ball, we allowed Workington's big men too many yards after contact without using our big men effectively. Workington were average today and there for the taking, we just didn't take the opportunity.

Thought we played fantastic on Sunday, a great statement of intent. Putting 44 points past the league favourites is always a good thing, but what's more impressive was keeping them scoreless. It's nice to see aggression in attack and defence early in the season. Hard running by Juma and Andrade really put us on the front foot and Keighley struggled to make it out of their half early in the game. The whole team played well and really showed a desire to play, still trying to score 40 points ahead. Its only one game in and the season could be very long, but (feel I say this every year) if we play like this all season we will be right up there.

Hornets, Hunslet and Keighley have traded wins. We can all beat each other on the day, although I did think we would win today. Putting 26 points past a team without our halfbacks is still impressive. It's been a good season and a lot to build upon for next year. I don't think Hunslet or Keighley will be playing in the championship although the issues at Swinton could give them a very good chance. With Dewsbury and Whitehaven coming down its going to be a competitive league and with the success this year there will be an expectation for Hornets to compete. Hopefully we will be able to convince some players to sigh for us again. I don't know Misi Taulapapa situation at Doncaster but at this level he was a handful for defences. Juma is also a player we need to be looking at, gives us so much in attack and defence.

First half Keighley were by far the better side, they made to many yards after contact, they bullied us in the middle of the field and forced us to throw the ball in verry poor conditions, we made to many mistakes and gave them opportunities to score they deserved to be 22-6 up. Second half we improved massively, our ball carrying and tackling had much more aggressiveness to it, they didn't score a try in that half, we were smarter with the ball and grew into the game. If we had 5 more mins we would have won. One thing that was really pleasing to see was the way in which we never gave up, we made mistakes and found ourselves in a difficult position but we battled back and our heads never went down.

Today is a hard one to call, we seem to be on a roll and Keighley don't look like the side they did at the start of the season. Last week we looked sloppy at times but good in the second half. If we cut out the unforced errors we will be hard to beat. Keighley games have been close this year regardless of the score at the end and playoff rugby is always tense. 4 either way.

Today is going to be a tough test against Hunslet, both teams have been neck and neck throughout the season. However I think we are the better team. Hornets by 8.

Today was a definition of a game of two halves, 10 more mins and the result would have been different. First half we were great, we took our opportunities, we broke Cornwall line and was strong in defence. We looked to be starting with the same intensity as the Oldham game last week. But the second half we were all over the place. Being 46-6 up at one point we should have managed the game and shoot Cornwall down, instead we let them get a few quick tries and looked shaken. With 20 mins left and still leading by 20 we acted like we were loosing, we rushed, started to pass poorly and let Cornwall get on top of us. We need to manage the game much better especially at this critical point in the season. Over the last few weeks I have been really impressed with Juma. He reminds me of Joe Taira, a real handful in attack and puts in solid tackles. His aggression is something we have been lacking.

Sometimes it's not about looking good, it's about winning. We looked to be rushing all through the game, First half we never settled and made poor decisions with the ball. Second half we took control of the game and was able to get the win. One of the positives was how many times we crossed the line even though we didn't score we were able to open midlands up.

Best performance all season. After falling short against Hunslat and Keighley we finally get a result that reflects the performance. We blew Workington away in the last 20 of the first half and never looked back. We looked great in attack making good yards after contact and line brakes, we also spread the ball well. We put in some really strong tackles and even when we were far a head in the closing minutes of the game we kept Town out which was good to see. Now we go on our road trip and with some tough games coming up we need a repeat performance.

Big game against Workington Town, we're even on points so both teams will be hoping for a result. Play like we did against Keighley and we should win, play like we did against Cornwall and it may be a different result. A close game, 8 either way.

All attempts to make a competitive Super League club based in the capital have failed. There isn't enough players or resources and if there is it hasn't worked. It looks like the RFL just seem to talk about a southern powerhouse every other year or so to keep the topic alive and every now and then put some money towards it. Do we even need a Super League team in London?. I feel its not about if a Super League team in London will work long term or if resources can be better put somewhere else, the RFL have put to much time and money in this project and cant let it go.

Didn't think we played well yesterday, a lot of mistakes and unforced errors that made our game really disjointed and looked like we couldn't get going. The red card was a turning point because before that it was a 50/50 game and scoring three tries in the last 10 gave us breathing space. The second half started to spread the ball to stretch Cornwall and open up gaps, but then started to go up the middle for some reason, playing into Cornwall's favour. What was disappointing was the points conceded, no team (except Oldham) down to 12 in this league should put 18 points past us. Our ruck speed was poor and with a man advantage we allowed Cornwall freedom to run at the line causing us problems. At least the coach commented on it after the game and said it's something hornets need to work on. We have a week off before we face Workington and we need to sort out that defence and line speed.

Two scores coming from a six again that wasn't, a penalty right on our line for ripping the ball which was obviously dropped. Plus the lucky interception that was more to do with us forcing the ball. So it's -16 for Cougars. What really saved you was the clock, Cougars were out on their feet Hornets just ran out of time. Considering you came here unbeaten and already a top two team in everyone's mind, when the hooter went I haven't seen so many fans so relieved for a long time, I've heard of a paper tiger but yesterday I saw a paper Cougar.