Rugby Raider:
Obviously disappointed to lose the Derby, but considering we played with 12 men for 65 mins, that was a very good performance. I watched the game back last night and our play 40-60 mins was excellent. We had them on the back them on the back foot and some of their players were blowing. However, with 12 men you are always at risk at been exposed and that what Rovers did with the Batchelor try.
No complaints about the Cust sending off. Thought that in the ground and also watching it back on TV. At least as bad as Senior at Cas the other week, so I?m expecting at least a 2 match ban to follow. I noticed him sarcastically applaud the referee as he came off at the end of the game. Didn?t like that. If Cust stays on, we potentially win that game yesterday.
Great to see the overall improvement this season and a pleasure to see our improved defence and attacking options. Certainly expect our general thoughts of 8th this season, being upgraded to a play off spot. Just need to improve our discipline, as someone else mentioned, on top of yesterday?s red we have had a spate of yellow cards recently, which is primarily down to the players not the referee.
Happier times ahead though and nice to see us competing again.
Yes, agree with all of the above.
At 0-10 and a man down I was fearing the worse, but we regrouped superbly and in that 40-60 minute period it was difficult to see that we were a man down. It was a very even contest at that point, in fact if anything we were the ones with the wind in our sails, but the effort caught up with us and we couldn't scramble once too often when Batchelor scored, which lifted the pressure valve for them somewhat. Thought the Hargreaves try, off a mistake, put a little gloss on their win.
We'll never know what the outcome would have been if it had stayed a 13v13 contest, would we have played with the same intensity? who knows. Looking back now, think that Morgue's try just before the break was crucial. 4-16 felt like a very different score to 4-10. Think it would have been very interesting if we had been ahead on the hour mark, but it's all ifs and buts now!
Like you say, happier times ahead and after the horror show of 2024 it is simply nice to see us competing once more.
