we had a great performance against Salford City Reds, where-as our next opponents, St Helens, were beaten by Harlequins RL. Hoping that we have a few players back for next week, I hope that Luke Burgess and Lee Smith will be returning, but McDermott did say that it is most likely to be the week after. We are going to be very short all around against Saints, but they have injuries aswell, Leon Pryce is out for about 2 months, and Sia Soliola is out for about 4 weeks.

For next week I would give Lee and Luke until game-day to find out if they are able to play, and stick with the same 19 as last week, BJB replaced by Ben Cross. If Luke and Lee are not fit, then we have our 17.

Webb
Watkins
Ablett
Senior
Hall
Sinfield
Burrow
Cross
Buderus
Kirke
Jones-Buchanan
Lauitiiti
Clarkson

Pitts
Singleton
McShane
Hauraki

Smith
Burgess

I thought Watkins looked far more assured on the wing last night. I would like to see him have a run there

Definitely out for next week for us: Leon Pryce (2 months), Sia Soliola (2 weeks) and Jon Wilkin (4-6 weeks). AWOL: Kyle Eastmond (permanently). Possibly out for us: LMS (he missed Friday, don't know whether he's fit yet), Lomax (was injured on Friday) and Wello (who is playing on injections at present but he didn't look well on Friday).

We can't attack and we can't defend so you should have a field day!

Given Saints result against Salford the other week, it would appear there are reasons for genuine concern there. Leeds result against Salford OTOH appears to be an indicator of a vast improvement in performance, along with further evidence (if any was needed) of the existence of one of the all time greats of Rugby League.

Luke Patten

Completely manhandled Broughton on a couple of occasions, especially for Ablett's 2nd try I think when it looked like a man against a boy.

You'd almost think you were desperate to prove yourself right......do you have many other insecurities ?

I suspect we differ on what constitutes complete manhandling.

Now this is a good example of a Super League Man Of Steel being rlCOMPLETELY MANHANDLED!rl

The one where Broughton had put Watkins to ground (and into touch) although Watkins had done well to get the ball away first.

Not sure what you would call Watkins manhandling Broughton on that occasion as both players appeared to have done a good job.

Yes that one. Watkins stood tall and strong in that failed tackle and managed to get his arm free comfortably for an offload he should never have been allowed to make. He should have been in touch on first contact.

Last week you were congratulating Broughton for chasing back but not stopping a try, Now you're congratulating him on not making a tackle and not stopping a try scoring offload.

You're doing a Stevo. You've claimed this kid is great and now you must make stuff up to prove your statement is correct.

What have I invented?

I praised Broughton's attempt to make a cover tackle on the Salford right side defence while he was playing on the left wing. Reminiscent of the days Calderwood also had to cover Cummins wing as well as his own on down field breakaways by the opposition. Obviously you'll have noted whose absence Broughton was attempting to cover at right centre.

Watkins did well (as it turned out) as did Broughton to first cover Ablett's break and then turn, line Watkins up, put him to ground and into touch short of the try-line in a one on one tackle, Watkins knew he was going out to the textbook tackle hence the desperate offload.

I imagine you'll also wish to comment on Broughton hauling down Burrow when he looked all over a scorer in the second half. You can do it just beside a similar effort you'll have praised Watkins for earlier in the match.

Ref - P Bentham, Video - R Silverwood

Oh well, it could have been an exciting, free flowing spectacle of a game.

Still, it'll give plenty of time between play the balls to get some other stuff done while the game is on.