Saw Brian Noble talking to the fax directors is he still involved with us in any capacity or just an interested spectator ?

Just watching I think. What was line up please?

see courier website match report and full lineups are on there.

It was a good game and exercise for both teams. Regular subs and players tried in different positions at times. Good run out for Tonka. Worrincy didn't really get into his stride and didnt help when a player shouted for him to pass the f***ing ball!

Hooker wise, older Ashall isn't cutting it yet at hooker but younger Ashall will get better with more higher grade experience without any disrespect to Swinton.

Barlow was poor again, I would play Davies over him at the moment.

The best player on the pitch was the Batley No6, I wonder where they got him from?

As others have said a good hit out for both teams and just what we needed, both teams hit hard and it was tough not like a friendly at all which was good. Conditions did not help as cold hands made for some lost ball on both sides. Our pack went well especially Tonka he was terrific, half backs did okay Tiger was good made a try with good hands, Blacky played really well for them but you expect that its Fax he was playing!
Well done to all for getting the game on it was worth the mad dash over, although it would have been better to ko at 7.30 as announcing it was on at just after 5pm left it tight for us!

I heard Davies was named in the line up and was looking forward to seeing him again as I thought he went well at Dewsbury but unless my eyes are going I dont remember him getting on the field.

I thought our pack looked a lot better than it did against Dewsbury and pretty much bossed their pack. Again though our distribution is poor although conditions didnt help but we cant seem to hit a player with the ball in the right place. I thought Handforth went well but the other hookers and half didnt do anything to alter my opinion that we need some more new blood in those spots.

I also think Harrisons apparent lack of confidence in Fieldhouse is probably affecting how the player is playing. Its not the grounds for him at the moment but where by others are not been judged because of this it seems that Fieldhouse is with the insistance of swapping him with Sheriffe all the time. In my opinion the backs pretty much pick themselves with Fieldhouse at FB with Sheriffe and Worrincy on the wings and Tyrer a certainty at centre leaving Patterson and Heaton to fight it out for the other centre spot until Nanyn is fit. The forwards are more tricky with any number of combinations and then no competition in the halfs or hooker role leave those easy to pick and also the biggest problems we have as well.

That was a great 'friendly'.

I was relishing some Tonks v. Rowe collisions, and there was a sporting 1-1 score draw. Some venomous tackling and a worthwhile hit out for every one in pretty nasty conditions.

Saying that, Murrell will not win you 5 games a season in the last ten like Penkywicz could.

Here's to a highly entertaining season. Good luck.

And how many others in this division could lay claim to that ? A bit harsh if you ask me, we're gonna have to get used to life after Penky that's all.

he deffo went on

Yep, every team certainly in our division would miss Penky in their side.
However life after Penky will go on.

The team will have to focus more on playing as a unit with less reliance on any inviduals brilliance.

In the long run this should work out for the better.

The key is can we get the key pivot players like 6,7,9 and 13 organizing and steering us around the pitch.

If they do click we will have a very strong side, if not we will be missfiring in a good few games and get the same mixed results we have been watching.

I think we will get there.

Eagles next up could not be better to see what we do when points and getting off to a good start are up for grabs and will be a cracking game to find out.

He will win them in the first 75 minutes.

In all seriousness though they are totally different players but its clear to see even from what we have seen of him so far that Murrell will be an excellent signing for us if he can keep fit.

If Murrell does play at 13, Tiger & Thacks at h/back or even Murrell at 6 if required, I imagine that we'll be a lot more structured with the ball than those spells over recent seasons when Penky has "done his thing". I wouldn't ever wish to swap the "Penky years", he's been awesome for us & I expect the same from him when he plays for Leigh but I just feel we'll be more organised & will get to the kick/play our sets out more consistently from now onwards and our playmakers will be more effective getting us around the field and attacking the area's in the opposition's defences where our coaches think we can benefit. It will be interesting how many penalties we can draw out of Penky when we play against him. And just for the record, I believe Ben Kaye & Andy Ellis combo at Fev in that position makes them stronger than previously, I expect them to try and do sides in & around the A, B, C defence.