: Sat Feb 14, 2009 10:52 am  

Largeparts wrote:

I think the Horne/Thorman partnership is looking like an appetising prospect for this season. Both have a good running game but in different areas which means opposition defenders will be kept on their toes.

One of the biggest positives from last night was Thorman's kicking. The difference between find a player and finding space might only be a couple of seconds but they're vital. Thorman found the gaps very well last night.

Already in just one game, I've seen as many highlights as I did all season last year !! A 40/20 (albeit doubtful to some who post), the tackle of the season, determination & grit for the full 80 minutes with no heads down, Danny Tickle's quarterback throw forward pass for Radders to score and Yak rampaging through the Wiggin danger zone leaving defenders thrashing around like fish out of water and then carrying fourteen players over the line with him (that's right, you count 'em).

It's easy to get carried away with the opening win of the season but remember this, we played a very good Wigan side who were smarting after the Wakey defeat with a squad full of star players & internationals who will be top 4 this season. We managed to do the basics well which set up the win, despite the efforts of Mr Bentham to slow the game down, we forced the Wigan errors and played them out of the game.

that was one of the biggest improvements of the night, he was finding gaps between players, unlike last seasons tame kick to the full backs arms.

: Sat Feb 14, 2009 10:53 am  

Smiggs wrote:

Didn't think it was a 40/20, I thought it was given as our feed because a Wigan player touched the ball in flight.

It was touched in flight.

: Sat Feb 14, 2009 10:54 am  

I thought it was a steady start for a new half back pairing. Obviously the kicking game has improved drastically from what we have been used to. Still need major improvement when we are attacking in the 20m area, thought that too often they looked like 2 individuals taking turns rather than a partnership (this will change with gametime).

Overall, I thought we looked promising. Defence was really good and I thought the forwards played really well against a much bigger pack, with the exception of King, who I think owes us a huge season.
Tom Briscoe was outsatnding and is only going to get better, great to see Horney back and Berro will be back to his best with some more game time.

All in all....encouraging with room still for improvement.

: Sat Feb 14, 2009 11:35 am  

AlfieMoon wrote:

I thought it was a steady start for a new half back pairing. Obviously the kicking game has improved drastically from what we have been used to. Still need major improvement when we are attacking in the 20m area, thought that too often they looked like 2 individuals taking turns rather than a partnership (this will change with gametime).

Overall, I thought we looked promising. Defence was really good and I thought the forwards played really well against a much bigger pack, with the exception of King, who I think owes us a huge season.
Tom Briscoe was outsatnding and is only going to get better, great to see Horney back and Berro will be back to his best with some more game time.

All in all....encouraging with room still for improvement.

That probably sums up the whole performance.

Despite a few poor kicks, Horne and Thorman showed glimpses of what we have missed over the last couple of years.

: Sat Feb 14, 2009 12:19 pm  

trys'r'us wrote:

Hooker. Not a bad effort from someone with no pre-season run-out to put in 80 minutes in a very demanding position and have a virtually flawless game. He didn't impose himself as he can and has, but that wasn't what was needed tonight. What was was good distribution and good marshalling of the defence down the middle. He did both exceptionally well.

Glad he got 80 mins under his belt but have to ask why Houghton wasnt on the bench on reflection in place of Washy to give us some zip around the ruck. Other than his play to put Horney in i didnt notice Berro TBH. Its nice to win comfortably when our star men like Manu and Berro dont play well, cant wait to see when they do!

: Sat Feb 14, 2009 12:24 pm  

Big Dave T wrote:

. . . Berro dont play well . . .

Did fine with his first game back. Made a couple of handy breaks but was very busy defending around the ruck.

: Sat Feb 14, 2009 12:30 pm  

Largeparts wrote:

Did fine with his first game back. Made a couple of handy breaks but was very busy defending around the ruck.

Did fine isnt what we expect from me which i guess is my point. Its nice to do fine and win, but i think we all expect more from him.

: Sat Feb 14, 2009 12:37 pm  

Big Dave T wrote:

Did fine isnt what we expect from me which i guess is my point. Its nice to do fine and win, but i think we all expect more from him.

True enough but for his first game of competitive rugby for 2009 season, he didn't let anyone down.

: Sat Feb 14, 2009 12:43 pm  

Largeparts wrote:

True enough but for his first game of competitive rugby for 2009 season, he didn't let anyone down.

agreed. bring on celtic!

: Sat Feb 14, 2009 1:03 pm  

WOULD SOONER HAVE PIGGY RIDDELL bet the wigan fans have been impressed with him.