[Jimmythecuckoo]

Play off and Grand final thread : Mon Sep 13, 2010 2:49 pm  

As all the threads elswhere on the board seem to be full of Wigan and Leeds fans having a pop at each other, I thought we could have our own more civilised (hopefully) sang-et-or play off thread.

Despite us not being in them...


Thought the Saints-Wire match on Friday night was brilliant. It had driving rain and greasy pitch and the away side getting an early lead. Saints were really positive in getting back into the match and you wonder now if Warrington will ever get past them.

I didnt see more than the last 10 minutes of Huddersfield vs Crusaders. But it was the best part of the match ! I love that Jarrod Sammut, great little player, awful fashion sense. But what a great last ditch try to win it.

The Hull derby amazingly wasnt the most bile and spite filled match of the weekend. This was despite Peter Fox ruffling the hair of Briscoe as he went over for the opening try. Ben Cockayne was out of order whoooping in that lads face when the ball came loose in a tackle as well, I wonder if the ref could have been a bit stronger or if he wanted to keep it 13 a side at all costs?

Sean Long looked a shadow of his former self and Hull were deservedly knocked out.

The final match of the weekend was a brilliant spectacle coming down to the last kick of the game. Pat Richards seemed to struggle after missing the first of those big penalties and came up just short.

The main drama surrounded the ability of Sam Tomkins to attach himself to his tackler resulting in penalty being gained, and the Danny McGuire tackle which won Leeds the game (sort of) but at the cost of physical injury to himself.

And with the fall out continuing around the RLfans network and beyond we can sit objectively and say, what a bloody good weekend of rugby league that was.

If I had to pick a winner at the moment it would be Saint Helens.

[John_D]

Re: Play off and Grand final thread : Mon Sep 13, 2010 3:06 pm  

A most enjoyable weekend of TGG, perhaps moreso because we weren't involved and could therefore forget about... well, you know. Everything.

I was at the Giants-Crusaders game in one of my other capacities. Can't believe a Brian Noble side played such brainless footy when a man short. Having got back level, why were they forcing the pass early in the tackle count? Just play it out, take it to extra time when Jordan James would have been back on. Hull derby was a cracker. Can't believe Willie Manu stayed on the field. Potter = genius.
Missed last night's though. Decided to let Mrs D take me out for Sunday dinner.

Re: Play off and Grand final thread : Mon Sep 13, 2010 3:07 pm  

Thought the Saints-Wire match on Friday night was brilliant. It had driving rain and greasy pitch and the away side getting an early lead. Saints were really positive in getting back into the match and you wonder now if Warrington will ever get past them.
I think the weather played a big part. Warringtopn started like a rocket and looked the part. More or less as soon as the rain really started coming down and the game inevitably slowed down I think Saints took advantage and looked much more assured. It's probably the only criticism of Wire I've got this year in that they sometimes rush their rugby, which while is great to watch it's not always the most effective.

I didnt see more than the last 10 minutes of Huddersfield vs Crusaders. But it was the best part of the match ! I love that Jarrod Sammut, great little player, awful fashion sense. But what a great last ditch try to win it.
Sammut has been a revelation. Crusaders seemed to dip in form when he picked up that injury. He recently said he was playing with more freedom and enjoyment than at any time since he was a kid. Credits Noble with much of his renaissance.

The Hull derby amazingly wasnt the most bile and spite filled match of the weekend. This was despite Peter Fox ruffling the hair of Briscoe as he went over for the opening try. Ben Cockayne was out of order whoooping in that lads face when the ball came loose in a tackle as well, I wonder if the ref could have been a bit stronger or if he wanted to keep it 13 a side at all costs?
Sean Long looked a shadow of his former self and Hull were deservedly knocked out.
Missed the game as the girlfriend refused four games in a single weekend. I still think Long has got it although he has been a bit patchy at times this season. I am not surprised in the slightest that Ben Cockayne let himself down.

The final match of the weekend was a brilliant spectacle coming down to the last kick of the game. Pat Richards seemed to struggle after missing the first of those big penalties and came up just short.
The main drama surrounded the ability of Sam Tomkins to attach himself to his tackler resulting in penalty being gained, and the Danny McGuire tackle which won Leeds the game (sort of) but at the cost of physical injury to himself.
Watched it at the local bar and the (Catalan) barman couldn't take his eyes off it. What started off with my girlfriend, myself and two British couples, ended with around 15 people glued to the television.
Thought it was a great game but can't help think that Wigan allowed Leeds win. Let me explain myself before I'm accused of sour grapes or bias. Wigan were woeful from around the 15th minute onwards. Stupid mistakes, bad decisions, ill discipline and at times an embarrassing lack of motivation gave Leeds a platform to do the simple things well and take the game. The Tomkins thing to which you refer isn't something I like to see in the game. However I have seen it in the NRL and SL this year. Hopefully the RFL will look into it and try and put an end to it, although I can see it being difficult to police.
One question for the experts on here. Is Alibert really the best French referee?

And with the fall out continuing around the RLfans network and beyond we can sit objectively and say, what a bloody good weekend of rugby league that was.
As I said, the majority of the bar were watching the rugby league last night and that's no mean feat considering Espanyol and the Basketball world cup final were on the other televisions.

If I had to pick a winner at the moment it would be Saint Helens.
Warrington

Re: Play off and Grand final thread : Wed Sep 15, 2010 7:50 am  

John_D wrote:

A most enjoyable weekend of TGG, perhaps moreso because we weren't involved and could therefore forget about... well, you know. Everything.

I never thought about it that way but your probably right there John. With Barrow getting beat on the Friday it was kind of strangely theraputic looking at next weekends games knowing there would be (hopefully) more quality Rugby next weekend without any personal involvement whatsoever.

[Jimmythecuckoo]

Re: Play off and Grand final thread : Wed Sep 15, 2010 8:50 am  

It does feel nice to relax and just watch the games.

[Jimmythecuckoo]

Re: Play off and Grand final thread : Mon Sep 20, 2010 10:20 am  

***BUMP***

The Wigan result went as expected but what happened to the Wire?

I was out in the car getting updates on 5live and couldn't believe the scoreline. Did any Sang-et-or'ers watch the match?

Re: Play off and Grand final thread : Mon Sep 20, 2010 11:30 am  

Warrington were woeful but fair play to the Giants, they came out all guns blazing.
Did you really expect Wigan to win by so many? Apart from a few brain explosions I thought Wigan were very impressive.

Re: Play off and Grand final thread : Mon Sep 20, 2010 7:07 pm  

Catalancs wrote:

Did you really expect Wigan to win by so many?

I did.

Re: Play off and Grand final thread : Mon Sep 20, 2010 7:24 pm  

Ten or twelve start depending on your bookmaker and they don't often get it wrong. Like I said, superb result.

[John_D]

Re: Play off and Grand final thread : Mon Sep 20, 2010 10:23 pm  

Jimmythecuckoo wrote:

***BUMP***

The Wigan result went as expected but what happened to the Wire?

I was out in the car getting updates on 5live and couldn't believe the scoreline. Did any Sang-et-or'ers watch the match?

Hudds blew them away in the first half. Wire's completion rate was awful - kept putting themselves under pressure and Hudds were more than good enough to take advantage. There's a contender for Jason Croker's worst ever Super League drop goal crown from Danny Brough as well.