If the first marker is at least putting pressure on the hooker surely it would make him pass off the floor instead of jumping out?

we seem to be to slow in getting the first marker in position, hence the first marker more or less resting there?

Well if you're going to look to put pressure on the hooker, then your marker has to go to one side and go forwards, opening up space both to the other side for the hooker, and back behind the PTB for a runner.

The defencce isn't good.

We've shipped in about 80 points or so in last 3 games.

BUT we have managed to score more than the opposition, which is what this games all about.

It needs tightening up for the run it, no doubt, but on the other side of the coin it's nice to see them playing with the ball and racking up some big scores.

Our defence has deteriorated badly. For any team to concede 80 points in 3 games is poor. For a title chasing team it's worrying.

I'm getting a little tired of McClennan bleating on about 'character', glossing over the obvious deficiencies in our game.

You also run the risk if you get out too quick of being pulled for not being square.

Splitting the markers enables you to effectively keep your defence in a line, with the markers covering the gap between the two A defenders either side of the PTB. If you go off like a headless chicken chasing the ball it's going to leave gaps elsewhere.

i can see what your saying, but the defensive line is 10mtr back. Using this tactic is just encouraging the hooker to run at you an get over the advantage line with ease. The first market must put pressure on the hooker, he doesn't have to run after him like a headless chicken.

It's if you get over aggressive at marker and push too hard to get around the play the ball or start chasing other attackers that the space opens up. Just split your markers and hold position and the hooker can't gain more than two metres. If the opposition do that five times and make ten metres in a set of six, you'd be pretty happy.

I'd agree. I havent had a problem with the vast majority of penalties given against us, other than the fact that the teams we are playing appear to be holding down etc just as much without getting penalised.