Shield Game 1 - Workington

[Dave Naylor 2,168]

So it's the opening game of the Championship Shield this Sunday.  Just for kicks we've been dealt Workington at home allowing us an early opportunity of putting right what went wrong two weeks ago, albeit we should have won the game in the closing minutes.  We'll be without Wardy (suspension), Adam Clay (shoulder) and maybe even Richard Lepori (hand) but our opponents will be missing Karl Olstrum (suspension) and John Patrick (knee).

 

Town could welcome back Callum Phillips to replace Carl Forber at half-back which would probably be a bit unfair on the former Roughyed since he had a decent game in his side's narrow victory.

 

Oldham can compensate for their absentees by welcoming-back players rested last time out or returning from injury.  The half-back pairing could be key to the game with Scott Naylor having Lewis Palfrey, Dave Hewitt, Danny Grimshaw and Gary Owen to choose from.  New boys Scott Turner and James Mendeika could feature in the three-quarters while Craig Briscoe, Jack Spencer and Joe Burke could come into the forwards reckoning.  Play anywhere Sam Gee must be bursting for a game and he literally could play anywhere in the side.  Scott may find himself spoilt for choice.

 

Allowing Town to grab an early lead followed by some sloppy defence cost us dearly last time out.  Town arrived at Bower Fold on a must win mission and Oldham's below par performance only helped them to take the spoils.

 

We only need to go one try better on Sunday to take the points, leaving Town and Haven entering their own wooden spoon competition.  A place in the Shield semi-finals is a realistic goal although that might entail a third trip to Odsal or the Shay.  Whatever, bring it on!

[Piggy's mate 2,648]

Are the new boys from dewsbury?

[Dave Naylor 2,168]

Are the new boys from dewsbury?

 

Scott Turner signed from N Wales, Mendeika on loan from Bradford.

[Connor mcb 126]

Palfrey and Hewitt in the half backs Owen and Hughes hookers Sam gee full back (if lepori is injured)

[Dave Naylor 2,168]

Palfrey and Hewitt in the half backs Owen and Hughes hookers Sam gee full back (if lepori is injured)

 

I don't see how we can leave out Foster.  He crafted at least two of our tries in the last match.

[thecrab 226]

Not feeling good about this game, strike player banned, not the greatest of form, no settled half backs, I worry the wheels are gonna fall off. Lose this and the swinton game could be do or die time if workys form continues

[Anonymouse 868]

with a bit of luck lepori will play , I dont think he has been on a winning side against town ? lost 7 out of 7 if memory serves ?

[moorside roughyed 2,964]

Fingers,toes and anything else that will cross crossed.

[ChampagneCharlieReturns 279]

Lepori is out injured

[Connor mcb 126]

Leigh have recalled foster

[Dave Naylor 2,168]

So no Lippy, Clay, Foster or Ward from last time out. Then we're still without Jack Spencer and Mendeika is not yet match fit.  

 

Gee or Palfrey at full-back although Gee was doubting he'd play on social media

Turner in for Clay

Burke in for Ward

Owen and Hewitt in the halves

Hughes at hooker 

 

Palfrey, Turner, Grimmer, Gill, Chisholm, Owen, Hewitt, Joy, Hughes, Dickinson, Langtree, Middlehurst, Hope | Blagburgh, Briscoe, Thompson, Gee/Files

 

Not too bad that

[Half man half grapefruit 118]

According to rugby-league.com Clay is in the 19-man squad

[Dave Naylor 2,168]

According to rugby-league.com Clay is in the 19-man squad

So either the Sammut shoulder is feeling a lot better or he's making up the 19 and will be one of the two not to play. We'll see 2pm on Sunday.

[wonky 1,169]

Looks like you guys are safe now, do us a favour and turn swinton over next week.

[Bedford Roughyed 7,102]

Vital win.  Brilliant.

[chiefgeneral 40]

Still a long way to go

[HomeOfTheTubularBandage 614]

If Haven and Worky both lose next time, which looks likely, and we beat Swinton that should do it.

[SpotTheBall85 25]

I reckon we're safe now, can't see Workington or Whitehaven winning 3 out of 6. The superstar Jarrod Sammut went missing today lol.

[moorside roughyed 2,964]

One word-phew!.What a time to turn in a great collective performance. Sammut was a shadow. The new lads seemed to gel really well with the boys we already have. Scott Turner was a revelation but a great collective team performance. They looked very together today which is a good sign for the games we have left.

[thecrab 226]

Stop lookin down, we're playing for the shield!

Excellent performance today, score didn't do us justice, number of tries we bombed and how many 5th tackle pens did campbell give against us?

Top team performance onwards to swinton

[Connor mcb 126]

Can someone make a compilation of every time summet got tackled to put in the Workington forum

[m brooksy 499]

Get in boys.

 

Turner was magnificent on debut and deserves all the praise he will get but I thought Joe Burke was absolutely outstanding especially in the second half. Langtree was fantastic again as was Grimshaw. Owen looked much better at hooker than at half back.

 

Blackborough looks like a very good signing. Big and powerful and he looks really dangerous close to the line. Would like to see Hewitt run the ball more as the few times he did we looked very threatening.

 

Gutted for Briscoe if he suffered another knee injury. poor lad looked heartbroken sat on the bench.

 

Next week is very interesting. We seem to have a large amount of injuries and dont seem to have anyone coming back soon but if we win we look certain to stay up. Bring it on.

[roughyed34 2,100]

Great performance today, agree Turner was fabulous. Best game Joe Burke has played all year. Palfrey was outstanding today, geeing up the fans and a decent game too. Briscoe looked like the knee has gone, hope not because in the matches he has been good.

Some Worky fans blamed the ref haha, seriously, Sammy could be on a ban for the late shot but Sammut should get one for the elbow,clearly indicated by Campbell.

We move on, a great win and now we back it up with a trip to Swinton. That's gonna be tough. Play like we did today we can do it. One win from definate safety I feel, lets make it next week! Up the Yeds!

[Connor mcb 126]

Joe burke's offloads are incredible

[OutsiderLookingIn 290]

breathless today!! absolutely fabulous....someone said to me today that the lads needed to start on the B of the bang today...and boy did they do just that!! Total commitment, effort and energy from start to finish. amazing!