Match Thread: Championship Round 13, Widnes v Featherstone Rovers Sunday-11th-July-2021

[gazza77]

20 minutes ago, sentoffagain2 said:

  We have had cripples named in the squad recently.But whats the use of having younger players in the squad if you don't give them a game.

True. I'd have thought it unlikely that we'd name a potential debutant when injured though. 

I'd agree about this afternoon; a win and no injuries will suffice. 

[The Phantom Horseman]

So both starting line-ups named.

The big news for us is that Tom Holmes is still absent, as is Dale Ferguson.

That means Dagger continues at full back, and John Davies moves to centre. Am pretty sure it's the first time he has played there for us but he did fill in at half back once at London (and also played half back for Batley) and given our situation he's probably the best candidate, as edge back row isn't that far removed from centre.

Jimmy Beckett gets a run out from the bench in a team that is a long way from full strength.

Widnes however are also missing a few with Clough and Farnworth still out along with Spedding, all of whom played very well against us in the 1895 Cup.

A very difficult game to predict.

[sentoffagain2]

3 minutes ago, The Phantom Horseman said:

So both starting line-ups named.

The big news for us is that Tom Holmes is still absent, as is Dale Ferguson.

That means Dagger continues at full back, and John Davies moves to centre. Am pretty sure it's the first time he has played there for us but he did fill in at half back once at London (and also played half back for Batley) and given our situation he's probably the best candidate, as edge back row isn't that far removed from centre.

Jimmy Beckett gets a run out from the bench in a team that is a long way from full strength.

Widnes however are also missing a few with Clough and Farnworth still out along with Spedding, all of whom played veyr well against us in the 1895 Cup.

A very difficult game to predict.

50/50 game no problem with John Davies at centre,good passer and he often defends in the inside centre position.Only drawback on their pitch is probably lack of pace if the Widnes threequarters get a bit of room.So lets try to limit their chances of getting it out wide with one on one.

[The Phantom Horseman]

I hope we play Chisholm on the right and Nu Brown on the left this week, Chisholm versus Adam Lawton looks a bit of a mismatch.

[The Phantom Horseman]

OMG some late changes announced. Hall and Parata dropped out at last minute, wonder if it's Covid-related? Spence comes in on the wing and Sweeting on the bench.

[sentoffagain2]

7 minutes ago, The Phantom Horseman said:

OMG some late changes announced. Hall and Parata dropped out at last minute, wonder if it's Covid-related? Spence comes in on the wing and Sweeting on the bench.

   That's a real blow both have been playing well.Just hoping that we can continue our winning run it will be a real test.Fingers crossed.

[haskey]

Hope we can keep up the winning run but would not be surprised if we end up with a defeat. Which would not be the end of the world with Wembley up next

[The Phantom Horseman]

Team: Dagger Gale Hardcastle Davies Spence Brown Chisholm Kopczak Jones Harrison Moors Ferres McConnell

subs Cooper, Beckett, Sweeting, Field

 

[Robin Evans]

15 minutes ago, The Phantom Horseman said:

Team: Dagger Gale Hardcastle Davies Spence Brown Chisholm Kopczak Jones Harrison Moors Ferres McConnell

subs Cooper, Beckett, Sweeting, Field

 

Fev missing Welham Hall Blackmore Holmes Lockwood Parata Ferguson Bussey Day Minns Halton. All first team regulars

Widnes +20?

[Fevrover]

Up to now  good commentary.

[The Phantom Horseman]

14-0 at half time, really good half, making far more yardage than Widnes.

Gaz Gale repeatedly carrying defenders upfield with him. Johnny D has been very good too.
Let's hope we can keep it up in the 2nd half.
 

 

[The Phantom Horseman]

24 minutes ago, Fevrover said:

Up to now  good commentary.

Agreed he's been very sound, knows the players, understands what's happening. Think it's Dave Parkinson who is an experienced RL commentator.

[Fevrover]

Just now, The Phantom Horseman said:

Agreed he's been very sound, knows the players, understands what's happening. Think it's Dave Parkinson who is an experienced RL commentator.

I've actually enjoyed listening to him so far.

[The Phantom Horseman]

Widnes' biggest threat Adam Lawton has been completely owned by Ferres and Davies so far to the extent that he has turned the ball over 5 times.

[haskey]

Steady away Lads. Good first half keep risk &  error free and we should win this.

[Robin Evans]

Given the disruption to the squad this week, that was some win

[Fevrover]

Played well for the team out fully deserved ,well done lads especially away at Widnes. Seen some right drubbing there!!!!

[haskey]

As said in earlier posts good non-biased commentary, and a good work out for Wembley, A bit of a wobble in the middle of the second half but a very good finish. 

[The Phantom Horseman]

Well that's a really good win. Definitely some adversity with all the late changes. Widnes briefly threatened a comeback but as soon as we brought Iro and Koppy back on we returned to dominance.

Gale was awesome repeatedly taking the ball in and eating up chunks of yardage. Davies, Brown, Hardy all very good too, think Jones played the full 80 and Ferres had probably his best game for us so far.

Didn't see any obvious injuries? But the late withdrawals are an obvious concern with the C word looming large.

 

[sentoffagain2]

   I didn't think we would manage such a comprehensive win,just backs up what i said weeks ago that it is the strongest Featherstone squad i have seen for the last 20yrs.Thought today's game and Bradford away after Wembley were possibly games we could slip up in .I have always thought that we will beat Toulouse at home.

[The Phantom Horseman]

1 hour ago, Robin Evans said:

Fev missing Welham Hall Blackmore Holmes Lockwood Parata Ferguson Bussey Day Minns Halton. All first team regulars

Widnes +20?

If it hadn't been for not wanting to bet against my own team I would have been all over that.

What do we know, eh?

[mightyship]

Great result - I was more nervous about this game after seeing the team than a certain match tonight

biggest plus was no obvious injuries; Nu Brown getting better every week. Chizzy had a great game at half back and that right hand side of Moors, Hardy and Gale causing problems every game now.

Bring on York - who lost again today and seem low on confidence. Not sure if they rested some for next week maybe?

Just want to make sure everyone- team and fans - stay COVID free to Saturday and can enjoy a day out in north London ️

[tms]

22 minutes ago, mightyship said:

Great result - I was more nervous about this game after seeing the team than a certain match tonight

biggest plus was no obvious injuries; Nu Brown getting better every week. Chizzy had a great game at half back and that right hand side of Moors, Hardy and Gale causing problems every game now.

Bring on York - who lost again today and seem low on confidence. Not sure if they rested some for next week maybe?

Just want to make sure everyone- team and fans - stay COVID free to Saturday and can enjoy a day out in north London ️

Not really  apart from a young leeds hooker on the bench all the usual suspects played today 

[eltel]

great result today with a really weakened side forced upon rovers and what a pleasure it was to listen to a good commentary for a change I used to like jo commentating except for constantly plugging the LD Nutrition stadium ( I know advertisers help pay the wages ) but nowadays the commentary we get is  lets just say better than nothing.

 

[Fevrover]

1 minute ago, eltel said:

great result today with a really weakened side forced upon rovers and what a pleasure it was to listen to a good commentary for a change I used to like jo commentating except for constantly plugging the LD Nutrition stadium ( I know advertisers help pay the wages ) but nowadays the commentary we get is  lets just say better than nothing.

 

Today's commentary knocks spots off the Rovers commentary.