Bit of a curate's egg for me. Not been to Ealing before and walking in and seeing the ground was a pretty depressing experience. I have no idea how it complies with championship standards.
Stood on the coaches' boxes side in the first half which was a pretty depressing experience. The view was ok, but battling hyperthermia standing in a mud patch watching the same sort of performance as was dished out regularly last year. I was surprised by the lack of talk and encouragement coming from the bench. During that half the state that the club has got into really got to me. I am happy to watch rugby league at any level, but seeing a collapse to sub-Chiswick standards was distressing. I am sure for the few minutes of summer the ground will be pleasant enough, but in any sort of adverse weather it will be a real struggle outside the stands.
In the second half, I moved round to the area outside the bar. The view was not as good, but at least it was out of the wind. Performance was better. I liked the look of Ioane, but hope he isn't another injury prone acquisition. Walker and Williams were also impressive. Swinton were a bigger team than last year although perhaps lacking in pace. However, we should be knocking off teams like that reasonably comfortably if we are going to compete. I don't think much can be read into the Leigh game next week, but Workington away after that should tell us whether this is a more competitive team or just a carbon copy of 2015.
During the second half, I caught up with various folk who it was nice to see again. Although I did not partake I liked the bars. Possibly, however, that was down to meeting people I genuinely like. I worry that this could be yet another year when seeing old friends is the main reason for attending rather than because of anything on the field or put on by the club (although tbf the atmosphere was a bit more welcoming than for a while - need to see whether that is long term or a blip). I thought the post match awards were fine (at least they took place) and was good to see Hendo meeting and greeting. As has often been the case the players did not appear desperate to hang around once the awards had taken place. I do think they could be a bit more proactive.
Other thoughts:
The announcer - I thought he was ok afterwards, but clearly there was an issue with equipment during the game. No one seemed willing to get a grasp of that issue. Did anyone think to pass on that the announcements were gibberish?
The "programme" - Pretty awful. Presume they have to do something to comply with RFL regulations, but it just seemed a waste of time and money. Took about two tube stops to read through it. As I overheard someone say: even for free, we've been overcharged.
Refereeing - about the level we get to enjoy in Championship1
The journey - Despite the lockdown on public transport in Essex, it went as smoothly as it could have done. Left home at 11:45am and returned home at 9:45pm to find it snowing. As I have not wanted to return as yet to being a season ticket holder, it does however mean if either public transport or weather get any worse, I am far more likely to give it a miss.
