Blackpool v Keighley : Sun May 24, 2009 4:09 pm  

We won 26 v 30

: Sun May 24, 2009 4:25 pm  

had to watch it on sky sports centre (families and bank holidays pah). However it looked like we slept through the first 20-30 minutes as per Swinton away before coming alive and taking hold. Looks quite impressive not to have allowed them to score in the second half. What ever changed, top marks. We needed this win both for confidence away and because those below us all won as did oldham.

I'm looking forward to Worky at home. Should be a points fest. Best order extra numbers for the score board.

: Sun May 24, 2009 6:20 pm  

Yes,another win I'm pleased to see. And yes, again via Sky sports centre.

Congrats guys

: Sun May 24, 2009 7:11 pm  

If you'd have been there (as I was) then you would have posted different responses!

A pathetic first half when we allowed Blackpool to offload in the tackles and made little attempt to tackle the player in posession.

We were lucky to go in only 26 - 12 down.

We played the entire game down the middle with little impact - always running into opposing players instead of the gapes between them.

Maplas tried his hardest to get the ball but our threequarters were constantly ignored.

No Cougar supporter in the ground could understand why we attempt to play it down the middle when we have brilliant wingers - but I supoose that's Barry's strategy.

Oh, and by the way - Blackpool were robbed with the final try coming from a controversial kick.

But I suppose, despite playing so badly and still grinding out a win then there's hope.

Just imagine that if we'd passed to our two-man overlap at Hunslet and not given both Oldham and York such great starts then we'd be joint top with Dewsbury!

Things can only get better - they can't get any worse!

: Sun May 24, 2009 7:33 pm  

I too was at the Blackpool game, but dont agree with the last comment about things can only get better - they cant get any worse from 666.
Yes we were asleep at times in both halves of the game, but we still won. The tries that Blackpool scored were all from penalties. One of which was 3 on the trot which took them straight to our try line. The first being a high tackle from Presley on their full back, on blackpools defending try line. Presley being only short must have had a ladder in his pocket to hit him high, plus the fact that their player forearm smashed him.
We did very well in the second half as we did not get annoyed, frustrated or loose concentration from the decisions, instead we played the rugby.
The tries we scored were very good, the last one showing good support play after a kick, palm backwards, and then two sets of hands.
Blackpool were held up in the last second of the game over the try line, so we were lucky to get the win. Just shows how much we have improved because a couple of seasons ago we would of collasped after the first 20 minutes and they would of won by 50.
In the heat they played in I would like to say Well Done lads, bring on Worky, and lets get another win.

: Sun May 24, 2009 7:35 pm  

You are right, I was not there, but I agree with you that we do seem to give teams too good a start. If we sort that out and come onto the pitch awake rather than wake up after 30 mins then we would win more comfortably.

As for going down the middle and not out wide, I favour the mixed approach as we dished out to swinton. Sometimes wide, sometimes down the middle. Maybe baz knows something about them we dont, but by the sounds of it they will feel pretty bad tonight having had the game nicked from them.

Thanks for the run down of the play. Much appreciated.

: Sun May 24, 2009 10:36 pm  

It said on Radio Leeds that the players only arrived at the ground one hour before kick-off time due to heavy traffic in the area.

Perhaps this was the reason for the slow start.

I can't believe that the roads to Blackpool were congested on the hottest day so far this year, a Bank Holiday Sunday.

: Mon May 25, 2009 5:40 am  

We set off early and still hit heavy traffic so there you go.

Regarding the game give credit to Blackpool who are a decent side.

My main concern is that the half time team talks by Barry are fantastic but why cannot the same be conveyed prior to kick off in some games.

For me Shickell and Duffy played well along with Danny Jones who had a good game especially his kicking game. Presley showed agan his class in 2nd half when hewent at gaps but to be fair Blackpool kept on top in 1st half.

It was good to see so many cougar fans there.

As Bakewell Tart said well done to all the boys from both sides who put o a good display in very hot playing conditions.

: Mon May 25, 2009 7:42 am  

View from the full back wrote:

I can't believe that the roads to Blackpool were congested on the hottest day so far this year, a Bank Holiday Sunday.

They were!!!

I would never have thought that.

Mind you I also am aware that "Unsuitable for HGV" on a road sign means exactly that yet......................................................

Don't you learn something every day



Regarding the game

Good comeback, but for crying out loud, why do they get themselves into that position in the first place, traffic delays or not.

This team has shown it's capabilities and is a mtch for ANY team in this division as the beating of dewsbury will show, unless we give them a big start as well.

My concern is the number of penalties given away.