: Sun Jul 19, 2009 4:58 pm
Under the cosh constantly in first quarter but did not yield. The better side by a bit for most of the rest of the game, albeit against a Wigan side who hardly looked world beaters. Then that Newton screw-up (again) with a few mins to go, momentum lost, they get all the ref calls when it matters and you know the rest
Not a bad Bulls effort IMO, but in the end still not good enough. Think we looked to have had about four potential tries ruled out, and had a long spell when we were camped on their line with repeat sets but could not break their try-line defence. They had few chances near our line after the first 20, but seemed to score of every one. Guess that was the difference. That and Paleasina when it mattered - what we would give for Big Joe now, eh?
Was it just me thought we looked far better when Godwin was on for Newton? Thought Platt was going to blow it again after a bright start, but he settled down and seemed OK to me thereafter. Our kicking in general was not too bad this time out, I thought? Sykes is surely more effective at 6 than in the centres? Youngsters seemed fine. And at least we did not do the defensive collapse. But that's just how some things looked to me, and there are others far better qualified to comment whose views I look forward to reading.
I won't suggest the ref cost us the match - usually when you say that, the replays make you look a wassock. But I'd sure be interested in seeing how the ref arrived at some of those calls late in the game, especially the knock on to...Wigan! And those no-tries. Be interested in views of others who may have seen those incidents more clearly. But it would have been academic had we turned all that possession and field-position into more points.
Still lost though, and that's the playoffs gone for sure now, I'd say?
Bloody marvellous to see the lads from the army, and the fantastic reception they got. Great to see RL fans know real heroes when they see them, and show their appreciation accordingly.
