Feathersone Rovers coach John Bastian says he saw several positive signs in his side’s 26-0 New Year’s Day win over Hunslet as he looks to change his side’s style of play.
Bastian was particularly pleased with Rovers’ first-half performance in his first match in charge.
Bastian said: “There will be some changes to the way that we play and it will take time to adapt to that.
“When the weather improves I want us to start playing a more expansive, creative style of rugby.
“There are some little things in defence that will make a difference to us as well, and I think we saw some of them against a really enthusiastic Hunslet side.
“In the first half I thought we controlled the ball very well in some really poor conditions.
“In the second half we got a bit scrappy and lost control of the ball. Some of that was down to the bad weather, but some of it was down to our concentration and basic skills.
“But the pleasing thing is that we kept defending right to the back end of the game under some real pressure.”
The Rovers coach has welcome the re-signing of promising former Drighlington backrower Jack Ormanroyd on a new one-year contract.
Bastian said: said: “I have been impressed with the attitude and effort Jack has put into our challenging pre-season programme.
“It is important that he transfers this energy into the next level of his development.
“Jack was elevated to the first-team squad at the start of pre-season training and has acquitted himself well with the senior players.
“It is important that our young players see a clear pathway at the club if they apply themselves.”
