Ablett is a better centre than second row. Hall is world class and Burrows scoots from dummy half are helpful. Summary for me.

Was he though ? Think somebody on here once rather presciently suggested his ultimate best position would be half back

I think Lee Smith only needs to start a Leeds 1st grade game at stand-off now to complete his 1-7 set.

Were Ward and Hood not fit for this one ? It beggars belief yet again that Kirke still manages to get a spot in the 17 (and Peacock should def have been given a day off).

Glad to see Singleton get his long overdue chance....just Chisholm now

Thought Burrow and Ablett in the first half were the pick of the backs.
Smith was poor in the first half but picked up in the second although not convincing. He seems to have lost his confidence and every time he messed up his head dropped.
Maybe a run at scrum half might help him.
Delaney had a good game and McShane looked good when he came on.
Sinfield made two or three poor decisions and is too slow for SO.
Even Kirke was running it in from the kick off!!
Any news on Griffin who came off after 10 minutes.
Ablett MOM by a mile and Webb for me had his best game.
All the backs played well and they took their tries well.

He really (hopefully) could become the new Neil Hague

Maybe so....but was he a better selection than Stevie Ward for example who today could have played LF (with Bailey in reserve on the bench) ?

Others can speak for themselves, but the puzzling thing (to me) is why does he continue to be selected, despite poor or indifferent performances, which is the usual expectation and result ?
If the club was genuinely short of options then it would be more understandable. However we have seen the departure of Lauititi and Amor (temporalily ?) to Wakefield and now Pitts to Hull....all of whom are surely better options. Additionally, look how long Singleton has had to wait to get a spot in the squad owing to Kirke still 'commanding' a place.

Is Kirke a better option than D.Smith ? Ambler ? .....and as already stated in today's match, Stevie Ward ? It continues to defy rational explanation IMHO.

Griffin got a head knock according to one of the Radio Leeds presenters.

As for not playing Ward, maybe the thinking was 2 games in 4 days was too much for him at this stage? Did the academy play today?

Hmmm....that would of course not be too much for the rest of the 17

Were the rest of the squad 17 years old and still at school?

Not saying it is definitely the reason but it's plausible.

Hardly ideal to be asking a 17 year old to back up having only just made his debut.

Agreed. Especially when he's been in an underperforming team. Shame he missed out on being involved in a big win though. As for Smith, I think it's an excellent idea, and also I think it always helps to have somebody a bit smaller amongst your halfbacks - not necessarily a Burrow, but someone who can be quick on their feet. Playing two loose forward type players at halfback will generally slow things down too much in the middle - or at least remove the sort of threat a classic scrum half should have.

Kirkes work with the ball is generally fairly limited. however he usually gives a good account for himself in defence. he not only makes a good number of tackles in relatively low minutes but he sldo gets involved as third man and slows the play the ball down.

as to why he's preferred to the various younger options I don't know. I would guess it'd because the coaches are happy with the job he's doing.