BullyXL

White Leak Buchanan

The whole point in sending Mitsias to Cas is to get him match fit. I think if we didn't then when we need him he wouldn't be up to the task. Joe Burton is a winger, he has speed and footwork but not the size or defensive prowess for a centre in this division. What a game yesterday. I thought we were in for a right hiding after the first 10 mins! But we pulled it back and really took it to them. Wakeys ruck speed was way faster than ours but once we slowed that area we were competitive. Disappointed that we didn't get anything from the 2nd half, but that was down to lack of possession, in part to strange ref decisions and errors/discipline (borne out of frustration of the ref I think). Some super human efforts by our lads. Proud of them.

Woods. The only reason he wasn't kicking on Sunday was that his leg was heavily bandaged, presumably a thigh/hamstring injury - clearly didn't want to aggravate it by place kicking duties. Second choice of Morton/White.

Fully aware of past kickers but we've got to go with who we have now

I don't see an issue with goal kicking as long as we have the right man doing it. Morton can kick a goal, as proven many times. White can kick a goal, as he did with the touchline conversion on Sunday. Butterworth missed with one that was relatively easy, maybe his kicking confidence was shot by then? Woods, when fit with his leg injury will then migrate back into the kickers duty.

Good result and performance yesterday. Always going to be tough up there, but Whitehaven didn't really trouble us. We were dominant in all areas. Good to see Woods back, even if he is not 100% fit. But the win was not just down to him although he had an effect. We have not been far off so far in games, as we have dominated field position and made more meters than the opposition. Its just been the final pass and inability to get that ball down when over the try line. Our best plays are when the halves link up to put the full back into the line creating space for centres/wingers. Which happened yesterday with Butterwoth's timing of his runs and final passes spot on. Interesting to note that Ward did not get on - hopefully he still gets winning pay?

Leak - even if he only played 40mins! Butterworth Morton

Because he's really helped us out with loan players now that we are down to bare bones. I think not. Conspiracy theorise all you like mate, if it makes you feel any better.

Was there on the day and watched the full game back on youtube. I'll stick to my observations. Mitsias was dominated in every tackle. For Whites 'poor' kick we had 3 players in attendance when it came down, if Morton had caught it then try time for him, Walshaw or Mitsias. I've played plenty of rugby in my time, too old now though, so feel qualified to have my opinion. I suppose we'll have to agree to disagree on this one.

White Kear Buchanan

No lack of effort from all the lads. Poor pitch and conditions for both teams meant a high scoring game was not on the cards. Our undoing was again lack of discipline and ball retention in key areas of the pitch at crucial times of the game. There was creativity from both White and Kear, as both tries proved, but they need players to be running the good lines and hitting gaps. They are predominantly runners of the ball, which again was proven by the amount of times they carried the ball forward, gaining lots of metres. We don't need to replace these 2 in their positions, rather get Woods fit and back playing, as his style compliments the running game of White and get Kear back into the three-quarters. For what its worth, I'm still not convinced about Mitsias. For me J Burton is a winger, he has pace and footwork and given space on the outside should get rewards. I do agree that we need more playing staff, as we are at bare bones now, just think what we could be like middle of the season! That said, not panicking about where we sit in the table at the moment, we're not far off but do need to get a win under our belts, if only to boost confidence.

Agreed. He has more experience than young Gibbons, and it would leave White to have more of a running game, where he is more effective, rather than have to organise and kick. No disresepct to Gibbons but it his first season at this level and needs to be introduced gradually, as I think he has already had more game time than expected due to Woods injury prone nature.

The doom and gloom, nay saying merchants are out again! Take a look at the review of the full match on youtube. The attack was not the issue - we constantly finished the sets on their line - or forced a repeat set, after gaining many more yards per set than them. It was the getting over the line that was the issue. We got the field position and the chance but on numerous occasions but couldn't get over. And that was because Dewsbury scrambling defence was outstanding. That coupled with loss of discipline and not sticking to game plan/process in 2nd half, due to frustration and wind-ups, killed the game off for us.

Going by the 17 played last Saturday, I think we are light in the middles. Therefore why not see Big Sammy back to us on loan/DR. Better game time with us rather than the reserves of Cas. Also, not too sure if we'll see Woods this week either. He seems to play a game or 2 and then injured for a few. Maybe give him time to get over his injury properly. That said Gibbons and White seem to be gelling OK in the halves. It's a long season and although we need to win as many as possible early on, it's how you finish the season that counts. Get Woods fully fit and see him have a good run of games.

If I could I would vote Walshaw for all 3. He was awesome and put their backrowers (and then middles when he moved in) to shame. However, the whole team worked their socks off. So, Walshaw White Gledhill