Re: Match Commentary - Catalans : Thu Mar 28, 2013 10:33 pm  

On the positive side... at least we aren't being tonked by 50 points each week.

Re: Match Commentary - Catalans : Thu Mar 28, 2013 10:40 pm  

This is a team which has definitely shown a lot more spirit over the past few weeks. It is finally living up to the standards of commitment expected from them by their captain Craig Gower. But what is still needed is improvement in executing the basics, like holding on to the ball and completing the attacking sets.

It is still possible for London to beat Bradford next week and make its way closer to the top 8.

Re: Match Commentary - Catalans : Thu Mar 28, 2013 10:42 pm  

jbuzza wrote:

I think ball retention (or lack of it) cost us the game. Maybe 8 or so knock ons including one that gifted Matalans their winning score.

TR agrees with you:

Tony Rea, "Our execution let us down. We need to be tidier all the way through

Re: Match Commentary - Catalans : Thu Mar 28, 2013 11:30 pm  

We chucked out a stupid pass on near our own line and Cats scored their last try. We competed for the full game in my opinion and did not give up.

Re: Match Commentary - Catalans : Thu Mar 28, 2013 11:38 pm  

They played like a team tonight and went toe to toe with the dragons, not surprised by the result, but not that disappointed we put on a pretty good show tonight
The difference in the 2 teams, already been said, ball retention, but the speed off the line for the French both in attack and defence massively different, pretty similar to the Hull game actually.
Sargy was solid as a rock when he moved to full back.
Dixon worked bloody hard again and impressed.
The forwards as a whole were a match for the Dragons
Final disallowed try was a mile forward, just a bit of panic there.
Channing should have backed himself a bit more
Overall despite the loss encouraging, just hope we don't get smashed by wolves and lose all confidence for the Bradford game.

Does show that we can play on a good surface as well as the mud bath, well done Esher RFU

Re: Match Commentary - Catalans : Thu Mar 28, 2013 11:41 pm  

daftdad wrote:

We chucked out a stupid pass on near our own line and Cats scored their last try. We competed for the full game in my opinion and did not give up.

Humilating play that cost us the match. Who chucked that pass? I was sat at the other end of the stand and couldn't see who it was.

Bit of a ho-hum game from my perspective, it didn't seem quite right and wasn't up to the intensity of Hull FC and Castleford. We lost a lead yes but we hardly bossed the game. Catalans didn't seem to get out of 3rd gear and our strike players were quiet this evening. Gower was disappointing, Bailey/Rodney quiet after recent improved performances. As micky mentions, our forwards are more than a match for anyone but our backs are hopelessly outclassed on a weekly basis.

Worringly, the steward, a regular at Quins/Broncos at The Stoop, said he reckons that he we might be back there for the Bradford game

Re: Match Commentary - Catalans : Fri Mar 29, 2013 12:24 am  

Weeeeelll, I suppose gifting a late win to the league leaders having been ahead most of the game represents progress of a sort. We let them back into the games with soft errors each time we scored, so the game was there for the taking. I don't agree about Gower being poor, he was our most creative player - no surprise - and recklessly involved in defence. It was just a shame that Dixon saw so little of the ball in the second half.

Re: Match Commentary - Catalans : Fri Mar 29, 2013 12:26 am  

Dave Lister wrote:

Worringly, the steward, a regular at Quins/Broncos at The Stoop, said he reckons that he we might be back there for the Bradford game

are you kidding me? im vowing not to miss another H game this season but not happy to go to Escher

Re: Match Commentary - Catalans : Fri Mar 29, 2013 12:32 am  

rob13 wrote:

are you kidding me? im vowing not to miss another H game this season but not happy to go to Escher

We heard the same.

Think Lister has it spot on except I thought Catalans barely got out of first gear. They really didn't look like they wanted to be there especially given the speed they left after the game.

Gower just didn't look fit to me. Barely noticed him in the first half.

Re: Match Commentary - Catalans : Fri Mar 29, 2013 12:50 am  

Do not want to go back there again. They should play at New River.

They played like a rugby league team again. Shame we didn't hold on, but things looking generally more solid. If only they didn't try and force the passes and make errors. 5 drives and a kick, keep it basic sometimes................Roby not good either.