Quote: Bull Mania "Went to game.
Firstly fair play to Whitehaven. Thy really ripped in to the Bulls with some big aggressive hits. Also they played some good attacking rugby. Really gave it their all.
On our performance. First 20 minutes we got into the arm wrestle and went ok, then we scored 3 good tries. The third from Gaskell was out of this world. We then went a little sloppy, Whitehaven got some momentum and started to cause us problems.
Again in the second half we were really sloppy with the ball. Particularly Shaw and Purtell. Whitehaven ran out of steam. Another 2 points. We weren't great but like I aaid, Whitehaven really gave it to us. We will have a few sore bodies this morning.
Mixed emotions. We were really sloppy with the ball and we won't get into SL playing like that. But on the other hand Whitehaven were bang up for it, Cumbria is not an easy place to go and we have come away with 2 points despite not being at our best. But us fans shouldn't think we can just turn up and we've got the two points. We're not just going to run through teams every set. That said we need to start really hitting form in a few weeks to go into the middle 8's with some momentum.
On another note Jimmy said earlier this week he was going to play his strongest side every week as he doesn't believe players will burn out and used Chelsea/Mourinho as an example. Wasn't sure I agreed with him when this came out as the punishment an RL player takes in a game is a million times worse than a footballer.
But after watching today I do belive Jimmy could risk burning one or two out. Particularly O'brien who wasn't himself at all. Took yet another whack around the head and wasn't really doing much dummy half running. Not even halfway through season yet and he looked tired. Not surprised as playing 80 minutes every week, the amount of work he gets though and the hits he has on his body, not surprised it's taking it's toll.'"
Yep - I went too and agree with all of that..
O'Brien got clattered a few times and looked tired - I share your concerns. We looked like the bus arrived 10 minutes before KO!
Passing at times was awful and our completion rate was poor - that said - Jimmy wants us to entertain and mistakes will occur when we try to do that - so be it then. Its great when it comes off.
My bigger concern is our (lack of) fifth tackle kicking tactics. We rarely keep pressure on opponents with kicks sat on the in-goal area or scrums in their own quarter. It always seems to be the speculative chip over the top - every one of them gathered up by Haven this week. Quite a few of our opponents this season have given lessons in tactical 5th tackle pressure kicks - but we don't seem to be heading down that route.
Squeaky bum time soon too
