Re: Challenge Cup - Wakefield Away : Mon Apr 11, 2022 10:45 am  

Uptoncat wrote:

Congratulations on a very good and clinical performance. Outstanding defence first half set the platform. My heart sunk when I saw our 3 key players missing but the other lads stepped up and and had a proper dig. You got a try with a foot in touch but I’m not sure that would have changed anything to be honest. The Gaskill no try could quite easily have been given Bateman did very well there haha. Would have put a different perspective on the game but again not sure the result would have changed, orals all ifs buts and maybes. Johnstone would have probably got 3 had he been on but he wasn’t so that’s that, no qualms about the result you deserved it and showed us how to play a cup tie. Great to see so many home grown players on the pitch for both sides it bodes well for the game going forward. Good luck for the rest of the season and hopefully next time we’ll have our full squad available.

I heard somebody say Fields foot was in touch for the try on 77 mins at 30-6. I had a look at it and it was close but there was green grass between his boot and the line when I froze it. I don’t think the comeback was on to be fair either way

It was never a 36-6 game and Wakey played exceptionally well in that first half. Lino was outstanding and luckily we turned up with a proper knock out game attitude. The three absences were big, absolutely no doubt about it. We had 4 first 17 players out as well but they weren’t key players like those guys are and the squad is pretty deep here.

Exciting times for Wakey anyway. Get the ground sorted and keep your key players and there’s no reason why you can’t keep progressing. Poaching looks to be doing a really good job.

Re: Challenge Cup - Wakefield Away : Mon Apr 11, 2022 10:54 am  

NickyKiss wrote:

I heard somebody say Fields foot was in touch for the try on 77 mins at 30-6. I had a look at it and it was close but there was green grass between his boot and the line when I froze it. I don’t think the comeback was on to be fair either way

It was never a 36-6 game and Wakey played exceptionally well in that first half. Lino was outstanding and luckily we turned up with a proper knock out game attitude. The three absences were big, absolutely no doubt about it. We had 4 first 17 players out as well but they weren’t key players like those guys are and the squad is pretty deep here.

Exciting times for Wakey anyway. Get the ground sorted and keep your key players and there’s no reason why you can’t keep progressing. Poaching looks to be doing a really good job.

Agreed. Didn’t realise which try it was but that definitely wouldn’t have made a difference haha. You’ve got a good squad and you can see you’re very well coached. Should be a good semi final but I’m tipping saints to edge it they’re pretty much untouchable although they do rely on walmsley so much. Keep him quiet and you’ve got half a chance.

Re: Challenge Cup - Wakefield Away : Mon Apr 11, 2022 11:37 am  

I only got to watch the first half and it was a familiar feeing watching Wigan - sometimes struggled to get out of their half but showed great guts and quality in defence then have the game breakers when chances arise in broken field.

Sounds like second half was far more dominant overall.

Should be a brilliant GF and semi final - I’m very nervous about both!!!

Re: Challenge Cup - Wakefield Away : Mon Apr 11, 2022 6:07 pm  

Was great to see French getting really involved, the way he was trotting alongside Field for our first try bodes well for when he's fully match fit.

Re: Challenge Cup - Wakefield Away : Mon Apr 11, 2022 6:11 pm  

Bateman and Field were outstanding and good to see that Mago is looking fitter. Leuluai is having his best year in a while.

Also great that Zaks kicking has improved.

More than anything just pleased to see far more attractive and effective rugby - a complete 180 on last year. Well done Matt Peet and co. I don't think we can compete with Saints in the forwards which will make it very difficult to win against them but we couldn't have realistically expected more improvement than we've seen thus far.

Re: Challenge Cup - Wakefield Away : Mon Apr 11, 2022 7:38 pm  

Great to see us actually utilising offloads!

Such a strain on the defensive line and our star players thrive broken field not just constant block plays.

Re: Challenge Cup - Wakefield Away : Mon Apr 11, 2022 7:54 pm  

Hopefully we'll see Mago and K P-P working in tandem in the not too distant future, they could cause carnage with their off loads

Re: Challenge Cup - Wakefield Away : Tue Apr 12, 2022 1:01 am  

Whatever you think about the quantity of Mago's work, he certainly showed the quality of it of it there, especially with his two-contribution assist. He looked gassed (as usual! ) after his off-load, but when play briefly broke down, he saw some space, ran into it, and delivered a perfectly-timed pass.

So, credit to Field for being there, and the coaching staff.

Re: Challenge Cup - Wakefield Away : Tue Apr 12, 2022 11:58 pm  

Been away so had to avoid the result until yesterday. I thought it was a fantastic performance. What I found particularly pleasing was the way we absorbed the pressure in that opening quarter. That was something you see from all the best teams in any sport; a resilience and resolve when it's backs against the wall and it was good to see we have that in the locker. We'll certainly need it if we're to have any designs on silverware.

Lots of outstanding performances again but it was a whole team effort. Faz, Bateman, Field and Tommy were top drawer but others had excellent games too. Cust keeps improving week on week, Havard had another strong game playing long minutes and Mago, whatever you think of his minutes, showed exactly what he brings to this team. He was a completely different point of attack when he came on in a way that no other front rower in our team is.

Glimpses, too, of just how effective a Field/French combination could be. It's imperative we get that firing to its full effect as it's what sets us apart from the rest of the league.

One other point worth mentioning: we've had many discussions about moving players out of position. Yesterday showed what a versatile team we have. At one time our entire backline was 'out of position' to some extent yet it looked totally assured. That will prove invaluable as the year wears on.

Probably the best performance of the season so far.

Re: Challenge Cup - Wakefield Away : Wed Apr 13, 2022 9:35 am  

Phuzzy wrote:

Been away so had to avoid the result until yesterday. I thought it was a fantastic performance. What I found particularly pleasing was the way we absorbed the pressure in that opening quarter. That was something you see from all the best teams in any sport; a resilience and resolve when it's backs against the wall and it was good to see we have that in the locker. We'll certainly need it if we're to have any designs on silverware.

Lots of outstanding performances again but it was a whole team effort. Faz, Bateman, Field and Tommy were top drawer but others had excellent games too. Cust keeps improving week on week, Havard had another strong game playing long minutes and Mago, whatever you think of his minutes, showed exactly what he brings to this team. He was a completely different point of attack when he came on in a way that no other front rower in our team is.

Glimpses, too, of just how effective a Field/French combination could be. It's imperative we get that firing to its full effect as it's what sets us apart from the rest of the league.

One other point worth mentioning: we've had many discussions about moving players out of position. Yesterday showed what a versatile team we have. At one time our entire backline was 'out of position' to some extent yet it looked totally assured. That will prove invaluable as the year wears on.

Probably the best performance of the season so far.

I've been wanting Cust to take on the line more and on Sunday we saw him doing that. He asked questions of the defence he hasn't really asked before which held them up and created space for others.

Was great to see French looming up on peoples shoulders and looking for work, I do however worry about his carry on the early tackles. It is a part of the game we rely on to get us rolling forward early in the sets and with him on the wing he generally gets dominated in that type of contact, pushed back and generates a slow play the ball. I think we may have to ask his centre to do more of that work rather than him on the win.