Soooooo.... we won. That's probably the best that can be said

Bulls 46 Halifax 34

This is the thread for post game ranting, analysis and comment.....

As expected a tough game, happy to come away with the win as with the form we took into the game Fax would of fancied their chances.

Defence was obviously poor although they did tighten things up in the second half. Yet another injury to Walker carries on our run of bad luck, how different this season may have been with a fit side.

Look forward to see who we get in the next round.

Wigan in next round. No chance then of a good cup run to paper cracks. Balls!

Nice to get a win. Can't see this giving anyone any great confidence boost. Another pretty poor display. Onwards to another defeat next week. Wooo!

As I say, a win is a win. But that's about all that can be said.

The problem is clearly the defence. It was alarming just how easily Halifax were able to get over our line. Seemed like every time they had a set in our 'red zone' they scored a try or made an error. Hardly ever did we actually managed to hold them out.

I also took the opportunity to keep a careful eye on Kyle Briggs, since I was amongst those who have been calling for him to get a shot. Frankly, I thought he was poor. His passing lacked accuracy, poor decision making and not exactly solid in defence either. I guess we are going to see Jeffries in that role next week.

On the positive, I thought Herbert looked better this week (although, again, he limped off injured near the end)

I guess young lads like O'Brien, Burgess and Bateman will be better for the experience. But its hard to find many positive after that performance.

There was nothing from Herbert or Briggs today, Elliott Whitehead was our most dangerous and creative player today. I thought Ben Jeffries was a bad signing but i cant wait until he's in the side now.

Very predictable. Easy win, rubbish "defence", outrageous errors. It may shock Fax fans, but actually our ball respect was probably 25% better than its normal depths. Which is not saying much.

Defence wasn't improved by a clear lack of respect for the opposition. Looked very much like they couldn't be arrsed busting a gut to stop Fax, on the basis we were certain to outscore them

Disappointing attitude, and a training game feel about it. One or two decent performances but generally one to forget.

As Jonathan Davies pointed out, no direction from half back. It would appear that our only play maker was L'estrange. Personally I would like to see a Southerwood and Jeffries pairing with Herbert and Briggs given the chance to play together and form some cohesion in the under 20's. The only bright spot was the excellent play by Whitehead. When all our players are back, I would not mind seeing him having an extended run at centre. Better than Walker anyway. Unless there is a 500% improvement, we have no chance against Wigan.

Very concerned about our defence. There's nothing to it, no intensity or aggression. Clearly missing a number of players and it shows. Add the tacklers to the team, Langley, Scruton and Diskin, and they will make a big difference.

The team is crying out for an organiser, someone who will marshall the players round the park. We need someone to stand up and take that role.

I genuinely think we've turned a corner today. The corner from Godawfulcrap Road to Godawfulcrap terrace.

No positives to take from today I'd say. No further negatives either, which is a positive.....

I thought Sibbit showed up quite well today, took his try well and put in some decent work carrying the ball in. Also Tom Burgess coped well with some serious and experienced forwards. Other than Whitehead was the standout with L'Estrange as always playing his heart out. Always thought we'd win, but there's a lack of leadership and any sense of organisation in offense and defense, an SL side would have taken us apart.

Lynch is so frustrating at times, he carries us forward but makes silly little errors nearly every game. Hargreaves had a bit of a mare today too.

Not the best peformance against the second crappest team in the Championship but a win is a win I suppose.

TBH in attack we looked a lot better organised (Lynch's stupid offloads every carry aside) and the kicking game was better but the defence would have lost us the game against a decent team.

Never mind against a Superleague side had we have been playing one of the top end Championship clubs like a Leigh or a Featherstone then we'd have lost today.

Briggs played because he had to, and will be understudy in the u20's to BJ next week onwards.
Sibbit showed up today, offensively as with that try, and then later on with some good tackles.
Herbert did a decent job in the circumstances, maybe if he was 5 foot 6" tall his input would be more recognised/able.
If Hood is serious about Mason that would free up the MOM Whitehead to play centre, which he demonstrated is a natural position for him. and hands up, I put Olbison in my team instead of Whitehead!
Raynor looked up for it too, and looked so peed off not to get his hat trick.
other upside was plenty of different try scorers = feel good factor across the team = motivation next game to do the same.

Downside: Walker injury (anybody else I dont know about?), and defence. thats nothing new. Said it a few weeks ago, defence defence defence.

So it was a cup game against a side pumped up for a giant kill. sides playing far better than we are at the moment have lost such games. So moving on, Hull KR. defence defence defence.

I think Briggs will partner BJ next week as Herbert looks to have done at his hamstring