Good to watch a live game after such a long gap, even if it was freezing. On the posisitves Sidlow was immense. He made plenty of ground and I thought brought much more aggression against a tough Fev pack than he did last year. He put on a couple of monster hits that lifted the team and the fans. Mathers made a one on one tackle that saved a try. Not sure anyone else could have done that. My main plus from the new players was WElham. He lost the ball in contact three times but was solid as a rock in defence. He looks like a great winger's centre in the Paul Loughlin mode. Lowes said they'd played together at KR and wanted to biold that partnership. It was a good hit out against a tough team. On the downside what the hell does Lauaki bring? Ten minutes and zero impact from an impact prop. Lowes hasn't learnt from this has he? We cannot afford to play every game with sixteen players. Addy was quiet despite his great kick for one of Caro's tries. I feel that if we had a good organiser at scrum half the gap would have been bigger today. Overall quite pleased though, we didn't lose did we

Wish I could pick up a weeks wage for less than 12 minutes work.
Lowes needs to get real and stop wasting a bench space.
Thought Welham ran Sidlow close for MOM. Mathers was ok but offered nothing in attack from a key position and was at fault for Fevs 2nd try, yet to be convinced at expense of a youngster.

TBF i think Mathers made the covering tackle before Fev scored 2nd try and wasn't in position to defuse kick

Good performance in terrible conditions against a good fev side. Fev played well and were solid up the middle.

Sidlow was the MOM by a country mile for me. The usual suspects like Pitts, Purts and Fergie played well and caro took his trys very well. He also did well to take a fev attacking kick on the touch line and go down without being pushed out of play. Mathers went well and was solid enough at the back. He made a good one on one try saver. He offered little in attack but it wasn't that type of game.

Hope Ben isn't out long. We will need him back as soon as aswell as clough

Id be more disappointed if i was a Bradford fan than fev after seeing that performance today -

Bradford plodded it up the middle for 75 mins of game with not much reward, id be brave enough to say that our forwards made a lot more metres overall than the Bradford forwards less a Sidlow break near the end

Only 6 pts scored against a PT team despite all the territory in that second half too, you definately need a proper 7 to add some needed quality n that off the cuff play, Gaskell cant and wont do it allon his own all season

I saw the predictions on here of 20+ pt victories but at times it was hard to tell who was FT and PT - i think a neutral wouldve struggled till maybe the last 10 mins or so

Onwards and upwards for us - the second hardest away game already out of the way with nothing to be ashamed at

A fantastic impartial view there. For all the metres gained, it's points that count and we certainly scored more than you. Didn't we?


While not a classic game the Bulls ground out a win against a pretty good Fev side for the first game of the season.

It's hard to be disappointed with a win for the first game of the season (and without a proper 7 too) and I'm sure we will get better. Points in the bag though, which is what matters.

That's pretty much been us since we've been relegated. Half speed, but still pick up wins. As for the need of a proper 7, we've been saying that since last year.

Nothing to be ashamed of at all, and with more time to gel your many new players I'm sure you'll improve even more. I see you as a definite contender for the Top 4 on today's showing

As for us, well, it was workmanlike rather than spectacular. Some promising moments, but a few dumb moments as well - doesn't seem we learned much from last year in that regard.

Like everyone else, I've got to comment on Lauaki. So much for him being in the T&A going on about how he's much fitter after a pre-season - didn't see much evidence today! By my reckoning it was 11 minutes - punctuated by half time! Simply not good enough. With Kavanagh crocked after 10 minutes it simply isn't acceptable to have a bench prop that does so little. By the ned of the game Sidlow and Walker could barely get back into the line they were so tired!

What the hell Lowes sees in Lauaki I don't know...

You have to hope that when Crossley, Clark and Clough are all fit Lauaki won't get a look in. Might have to put up with him a bit longer if Kavanagh is now injured.

I was pleased with the performance. Reminded me a lot of the home game against Whitehaven last season. Conditions really not suitable for free flowing attacking rugby. Featherstone look to be a much better side than last year and were definitely up for the game so to get the 2 points and look in control for most of the match was a good way to start the season.

Welham impressed me a lot. I think he looks a much better player than Nielsen did. Defensively solid and offers a lot in attack too. Much better than the players we used in that position earlier last year aswell such as Henry.

I liked the look of all the other signings and think Mathers will prove to be very useful once he is up to speed fitness wise.

We've retained all the best/dependable players from last year and added better players to replace the ones we let go.

We looked very solid defensively and scored some nice trys.

Lots of reasons to be positive. We lost our first game last year and also lost to Fev at home so already a 100% improvement.

Also well done Batley!

Chris Ulugia with two tries and the break to set Ainscough up for the winning try.
I'm telling you, we let that guy go too early!!

This game proves to me that the T&A report a load of crap, Lauaki on for a total of 15mins. even less than last season and he is supposed to be even fitter. (crap) If Jimmy persists in only playing him for 15 mins then it will take a tole on other players later in the season, maybe we should ask Jimmy to explain his thought proses!

Also No big screen, No music for each player when the team is read out, No Bulllets!!!