Match Thread: Championship Round 18, Featherstone Rovers v Batley Bulldogs, Sunday 4th August 2024

[Monkeymagic22]

Fair play, a much improved result, after a dodgy first half. A tough few weeks coming up, but some quality players to return. The Patton/Reynolds half back partnership is certainly something I am looking forward to seeing.

[The Phantom Horseman]

12 hours ago, sentoffagain2 said:

1.        We deserved the win after a strong second half performance.Batley well on top in the first half and looked to be heading for another win at POR although to most supporters it would not have been a great surprise.As mentioned Hardcastle had a strong game and although he has been missing all season i thought Locky had a decent first game back.Always willing to take the ball up.Reynolds despite some average kicks out of his hand did well to brush three defenders aside to score his try.And despite a slowish start Beckett stormed in for his try.As i said earlier in the season i really like him and i am pleased Silk managed to score for Dewsbury.He probably lacks a few pounds in weight but but there is a player in him.Bussey backed up for his try and although a bit rusty he can only improve.If we are to win only one of our next three games i think Bradford away will be our best chance.For once Brad Day had a quiet game and although he tries Aekins as we know is clearly not a stand off.Eden was ok at full back.When Patton returns where does Eden play if Aekins reverts to full back.

I agree with pretty much all of this. As regards Eden, for me it will be close between him and Wynne who plays on the wing when Patton returns. I agree that Eden has not broken any pots since his signing but he's been fairly solid the last 3 games, he was brushed aside easily for Walshaw's try yesterday but took a string of tricky, swirling kicks on a windy day in very good style (whereas Wynne bombed one). I know Wynne is a more popular player amongst fans than Eden, Wynne is better in yardage sets but Eden is a good passer of the ball in broken play as we saw for Wynne's try yesterday.

I'd also say that Jeffrey has done very well in his 2 games since signing, in particular the play where he caught the ball on his own line and avoided being tackled in goal and then avoided the touchline was very good. The issue is that he's very slightly-built and as a result is vulnerable in yardage carries at this stage of his career, but he looks a very good signing and whilst he might not get many more games this season when Gale returns, he could have a breakthrough year next season.

One other thing about yesterday's game, that must be the most "local" team we have fielded for a while in terms of players who either came through local junior ranks or have strong connections to the area (I reckon at least half the team came into one of those categories). I think all of us can agree that's a good thing.

[sentoffagain2]

     That's what i would like to see next season using our own players to build a team going forward.

[Cas rover]

1 hour ago, sentoffagain2 said:

     That's what i would like to see next season using our own players to build a team going forward.

That could be an issue as we don't run any reserves or academy sides, the local amatuer teams are in a poor state, as everyone gets snapped up in the SL system. 

[Michael Bates]

3 minutes ago, Cas rover said:

That could be an issue as we don't run any reserves or academy sides, the local amatuer teams are in a poor state, as everyone gets snapped up in the SL system. 

Exactly the problem. A team of former SL journeyman and never have beens or will bes is the future for all championship clubs.

[haskey]

Also this idea of DR and loans , unless forced on us by a  crippling injury list is not ideal for team harmony ?

 

[Rovers fev]

2 hours ago, sentoffagain2 said:

     That's what i would like to see next season using our own players to build a team going forward.

I agree with this the standouts yesterday were all lads who have been at the club a while eg hardy locky bussey or lads who are from fev being jimmy beckett who I thought was outstanding, 

with DR it’s a hard one as Connor barley had been playing quite well up untill yesterday where he was taken off after they scored 2 try’s down his edge which were both bad defencive reads for him, I’d imagine now bussey is back it allows hardy to move back to centre full time 

[The Phantom Horseman]

20 hours ago, Rovers fev said:

I agree with this the standouts yesterday were all lads who have been at the club a while eg hardy locky bussey or lads who are from fev being jimmy beckett who I thought was outstanding, 

 

Yes, I think one of Beckett's main assets will be his ability to play big minutes, freeing up more interchanges so for instance we can use 2 interchanges on hookers if we wish (as we did on Sunday swapping Addy for Bowes then reversing it). It will be interesting to see how Addy and Beckett fit in when Jones returns as Addy had been playing big minutes previously this season.

20 hours ago, Rovers fev said:

with DR it’s a hard one as Connor barley had been playing quite well up untill yesterday where he was taken off after they scored 2 try’s down his edge which were both bad defencive reads for him, I’d imagine now bussey is back it allows hardy to move back to centre full time 

Yes, Barley was progressing very well until Sunday, I still wouldn't mind him at Fev next year if HKR released him, he's still only 19 years old. But as you say the return of Bussey frees up Hardcastle to play at centre again, Bussey was being played in the middle earlier this year but we have plenty of options in that position whereas he and Day give us a strong look at the edge back row position.

[The Phantom Horseman]

21 hours ago, haskey said:

Also this idea of DR and loans , unless forced on us by a  crippling injury list is not ideal for team harmony ?

 

I don't think any of us really like DR but what it does mean is it saves you from having to run with a 30-man squad to cover injuries (many of whom would end up being loaned out themselves to get game time), and it saves a bit of money so helps you keep your better players.

[sentoffagain2]

     Barley and Gorman were poor on the right side defence against Donny first two Donny tries came against them.Gormans attempt tackle for the second try was embarrassing.If we can spare Josh out of the forwards him and Minikin are our strongest defensive centres.

[Dog forever]

What a difference a win makes. No one out there now shouting Ford out Ford out Ford out....... must be forgiven until next loss..LOL

[Fevrover]

36 minutes ago, Dog forever said:

What a difference a win makes. No one out there now shouting Ford out Ford out Ford out....... must be forgiven until next loss..LOL

Talk to many Fev fans and they STILL want him out,not going to happen, down to ££££.

[Fevrover]

42 minutes ago, Dog forever said:

What a difference a win makes. No one out there now shouting Ford out Ford out Ford out....... must be forgiven until next loss..LOL

Is that best yer can come up with having lost to Fev again LOL ?