So what are every ones thoughts on the game?

Mostly pleased. Thought we all did well, the new lads offered a lot and our fitness was (for the most) much better. A few points I noticed:

- Not moving off the mark in defence. Too often our line was static, handing them easy yards - even when defending downhill when we should have been blitzing them. We conceded a ridiculous try because one player didn't move off our try line. A couple of lads need to look at their fitness and be honest with themselves in that respect, they were struggling.

- Shifting the ball. We were very good with ball in hand but didn't get it wide often enough. When we moved it we were pretty slick but at times we got sucked into 1-up tactics. That will come as the new-look team gels but it was frustrating at times as a centre.

Overall though, while I'm disappointed we drew, I was very, very happy with most of it. Our defence was pretty solid for the most, we've got some quality players to come in and things will only improve. This could be the season when a couple of lads missing doesn't mean we're seriously weakened - we've got cover everywhere. Everyone is fighting for their places in the 1sts this season - and from discussions with our new coaches I genuinely mean EVERYONE. If anyone slacks in training or shows poor fitness or form, they'll be out.

Personally - thought I did ok but gutted I didn't back myself when I broke the line down in the corner. Was sure I'd been tackled which is why I offloaded but in hindsight could probably have made the line. Felt defensively solid, fitness was pretty good, just didn't get to the ball enough.

Oh and a couple of points I don't want to publish on here but I'll be mentioning tonight at training...

Oh yeah and the ref was shocking, for both teams. If he's having to give so many penalties for 'not playing the ball with the foot', he has to admit his judgement is skewed. Killed much of the game, especially in the first half.

I agree with ur points mate, think there were too many handling errors and penalties and we got drawn in to the nitty gritty stuff around the play the ball, the ref was poor but we cant blame him for the mistakes. im also disappointed not to come away with the win.

first to admit i had a shocker in the first half but after a kick up the from the new coach began to take control and we scored a couple of good tries.

at times we had to play the one up rugby to complete our sets in our 30, Crossfields are a big physical team who tried to intimidate us, but in the middle of the park we matched there physicality and showed plenty of character to come from behind to get a point out of the game.. 1pt is better then 0pts!!

last season we would have rolled over and took the beating, i think its great the whole team dug deep. a few things to work on in training, like speeding up the play the ball and also attacking in their 10mtrs (at times it was a bit of a panic)

i have a really good feeling for the season after playing like that with 4 or 5 big game players missing

well done lads

Buryrl posted a reply but it seems to have vanished - I had it open on another window so I'll post what he said. Always good to have outside feedback and he makes some good points.

I think you'll be there or thereabouts come the end of the season.. Once we get the firm pitches your wingers & full back will come into their own. Good luck for the rest of the Season

Chris, Crosfields

Cheers Chris you too, looking forward to playing at your place

Is there a link for the NWML

rlwww.northwestrugbyleague.co.ukrl

It's a bit slow but light years ahead of the old NWC site.

Cheers Billy, just realised I'm missing the derby

very interesting stuff! the interchange props were:

A Bury player from day 1 who has had a winter season at a higher level and who has never trained as hard.

A Union 'winger' who joined us last year and who got thrown in at the deep end 3 weeks ago when asked to prop. No experience at all of the position but is showing he can do it...

So...thoughts on yesterday's game?

My first thought...errors!! Too much ball turned over, too many penalties. Made it VERY hard for ourselves and let them into the game far too much. When we had the ball and started to play they couldn't handle us, and when we shipped the ball the tries came.

Positives - some of the goal-line defence in the last 5 minutes, with set after set battering our line, was brutally epic. Ok, so they snatched one at the death but it was an epic effort. Our go-forward when we controlled the ball was fantastic, some great running from a few forwards, and when the handling was good it led to us scoring. Half-backs were good, nice to see them both backing themselves and causing problems.

Personally, felt sluggish and out of it yesterday, found it hard to switch on and get into the game and was definitely off form. Was pleased to put our No.7 away for his try, and was lucky to snatch my tries in the last 10, but overall very poor after a decent game last week, need to improve.

Good to get the win with lots of improvement to come.

We should have blown them out of the water, if balls would have stuck it could have been 30-40 points difference. From the sidelines it was good to watch at times and also frustrating, a win is a win though.

i think we ground out the win to be honest, it was a small pitch which made it hard to throw the ball about, i think our forwards were excellent, they made alot of yards and put a massive shift in in defence. pretty disappointed with the number of sets we completed, but to play so poor and get the win shows we have turned a corner. i think u played well cronus it didnt show that ur head wasnt in the game, i didnt get a negative vibe from you at all.

personally disappointed to get sin binned for the worst ashley young dive by their player but it happened and the team dealt with it really well.

also note to self... change name to bronco6