Barrow

[Ilkley Fax]

Not setting off today with any great expectations- although 2 Saints lads are unknown quantities, squad looks very light on quality, although Barrow also look to have been struggling recently. In 45 years of supporting Fax, can't remember a time when I was more looking forward to the off season.

[Faxpanthers2025]

2003 vibes - counting down the fixtures. Not even anything on social media today to promote the match or any explanation where Crooks, Halafihi, Tangata etc are. Comms needs to be so much better in 27. 

[Faxpanthers2025]

Lawford and Brough two other unexplained absentees/departures…

[Ilkley Fax]

Unexpectedly encouraging performance today in view,of the number of absentees and fact that we started with only 3 subs. Positives - Ben Will looks a real find at fullback setting up both first 2 tries and generally linking up well in attack. Andy O'brien excellent at half back - thought he might retire st the end of this season but definitely deserves another year. Alfie Johnson obviously, although one poor defensive miss cost us what turned out to be decisive try. The Davies twins rarely get much credit, but both are 2 of the best tacklers I can remember and just sort of players you need in a backs to wall performance. Finally massive credit to Eastmond - each week his team is decimated for one reason or another but they keep turning up playing with real commitment and a lot of structure and skill. Good to see so many injured players on the sidelines supporting the team, another sign of the team spirit that Eastmond seems to have fostered.

[Cowfax]

The lads really put in lots of effort and in attack plenty of skill and and handling. A game we could have won but our errors in our own twenty just invited Barrow and we could not defend our own line. We must have been held up over the try line a handful of times whereas they plonked the ball down each time. It looked to me some of this seasons  better performers were carrying injuries and are ready for the end of what has been a tough time for all at the club.

Ben Will is a find and hope we can keep him and find a couple more young gems for next season to build a team around.

On a different tack I fear for the Championship and hope that some decisions are made about the make up as i think as it stands it does not aid any of the clubs. 

[Faxinhudds]

26 minutes ago, Cowfax said:

The lads really put in lots of effort and in attack plenty of skill and and handling. A game we could have won but our errors in our own twenty just invited Barrow and we could not defend our own line. We must have been held up over the try line a handful of times whereas they plonked the ball down each time. It looked to me some of this seasons  better performers were carrying injuries and are ready for the end of what has been a tough time for all at the club.

Ben Will is a find and hope we can keep him and find a couple more young gems for next season to build a team around.

On a different tack I fear for the Championship and hope that some decisions are made about the make up as i think as it stands it does not aid any of the clubs. 

A very good summary of the game. You only missed the bit about the terrible refereeing performance.  Well played Fax!

[Crempo]

I thought we had a real good go good yesterday. We played some good attacking rugby at times and as mentioned above I thought Ben Will linked in very well at fullback. We effectively played with just 2 subs, so some players having to do long minutes, big shout outs to Bob, Cally and McComb. And thought our outside backs were great at bringing the ball out and getting us on the front foot. Barrow failed to build their own territory, and had it not been for our failure to deal with their kick offs and coupe of poor carries in our own half, I think the result would have been different. 

[Cowfax]

4 hours ago, Faxinhudds said:

A very good summary of the game. You only missed the bit about the terrible refereeing performance.  Well played Fax!

Refs are human. The standard is average at best at the moment, It seemed to me that he was as bad for both teams. The offside rule didn`t exist as far as he was concerned. You rarely see assistants giving forward passes. Without the officials no game though.

[Faxinhudds]

3 hours ago, Cowfax said:

Refs are human. The standard is average at best at the moment, It seemed to me that he was as bad for both teams. The offside rule didn`t exist as far as he was concerned. You rarely see assistants giving forward passes. Without the officials no game though.

Aye, i rarely criticise refs but just a couple of decisions yesterday for us could have got us the points. 

[Beaver 535]

Yes it was a much better effort this week than last.

Agree with most of the above and if we could of just dealt with there kickoffs better and converted the pressure into points we would be discussing a unlikely win.

The kickoffs do bug me because ours don't even make the catcher move. Where most sides we play cause havoc with theres and it as been like that for a number of seasons with different players and coaches.

A very tough couple of games coming up we just need to show the same effort as yesterday and that is all we can ask for this year.