Much better than this time last year. Looked organised, made yards, created gaps. Couldn't have asked for much more really. Some bits I noticed were;

Gale was excellent. Made me realise what dross we has been watching.

Lui didn't seem that d but Myler did well when he came on.

Johnson was tidy. Did what he had too. Dwyer was much more controlled than last season.

One of Cam Smith's better games but will still be a way off ward, Martin and mellor. Donaldson was his usual all action self, even had a stint at prop and let nobody down.

Newman is not a winger, caught out of position lots. Bad decision to play him their to accommodate some game time for L Sutcliffe.

Ava and Oledzki laid a good platform.

Looking forward to seeing them build from this.

Noticed on Suttcliffe and Dwyers trys some very astute rugby. Both times Gale made a late dash to the right of the play the ball, first time, no defender went with him so the ball went that way and we had numbers everywhere, Suttcliffe went through a huge gap. Second time, a defender went with Gale, Dwyer went the other way and exploited the gap the defender left. It looked like somthing that had been worked on imo and is very encouraging to see.

Dwyer went the other way???? No change there then.

Dwyer was decent today, much less of the headless chicken though undoubtedly not fully cured.

He went the other way as there was a huge gap and we were 2 on 1. It was absolutely the right decision.

Would agree with all of that. Front row went well nice to see oledzki running with purpose.
Ward as well looked quality
Hurrell plays like a second row. It’s hard to say with friendlys but the outside backs look our weakest positions

I thought the structures & options we had in attack were huge improvements on the last 2yrs.
Gale will be our general & Ward showed exactly how he should be used as a wide running BR.
Cam Smith & Walker linked with Gale well as extra pivots & Oledskji put his hand up for a spot in the 17.
Newman may not be a Winger but he still scrambled well when caught out of position ran hard & took his try well.
Corey Johnson & Alex Sutcliffe showed they are fenuine options if/when injuries strike.

We only flashed for about 20 mins, which was after their try. It was only the first hit out, and against poor opposition though. Alex Sutcliffe showed potential and Donaldson should be in the 17. Lui did nothing. Cuthbertson strangely kept taking the ball at first receiver and passing. Gale's kicking game was decent. Myler created and Dwyer was more structured than last season. We picked up a few niggles. For instance, I'm not sure Jack Walker will manage to string games together.

Yes and I’m quite happy with that, given where we’ve come from.
I’ve felt we have been soft down the middle for far too long, and as we rebuild it starts in the pack and works out through the pivots and backs.
We’re making strides. Unless Holroyd comes good and stays fit this year, we could do with another heavy middle. Half backs - we‘ll see how Lui goes this year. We could do with a boom young kid coming through in addition to McLelland for the future.
We do lack real pace but what is nice to see is players like Newman, Walker (and Stephens coming through) who have exceptional footwork and can beat players.

Agar said lui picked up a minor knock early on so that explains a quiet showing.

Hopefully two players still to come as most of us agree another prop and a speedy outside back wouldn't go a miss. One should be when Martin's passport comes through but I'm doubtful we can find another SL based player for this season.

I apologise here but I have to blow smoke into Myler here, he looked completely different complementing Gale. Gale added the bit we’ve been missing, direction! I thought young Johnson stood up well and is good enough. Ward showed why he should be Captain and adds so much. Again I apologise I ain’t Cam’s biggest fan but he reminded me a bit of O’Loughlin style play and hopefully this is his kick up to get better now. Again I understand it was only a friendly but it was good to see everyone take it seriously! All round good team performance.

Every time Smith plays his natural role he excels. Problem is successive coaches have rarely done that. Given the chance, he is better than Knowles at Saints, who is also an excellent player for them. They backed their player though, and allowed him to develop in his natural role. The link provided yesterday to the halfs, is what made them excel. Took the pressure off them, and gave them space.

Agree completely and it showed yesterday.

Big fan of Smith, He's a highly skilled 13 with good enough physicality, if he's allowed to play that role regularly, he'l show what a good player he is.