Another decent run out. I thought Dewsbury put in a very strong 60 mins before the difference in fitness began to show. Briggs had a good debut and showed some lovely long range and short kicking. Clever little player who I am looking forward to seeing what he can do against SL opposition. Elima was a brute in defence and will add some power to our back rowers this year.

Next week we give us all a better idea of how we're coming together as a team though.

That was quite funny, but one of their players being sponsored by the We Buy Gold stall in the car boot sale at the back of the South Stand got the biggest laugh from me.

Dewsbury Rams 12-46 Bradford Bulls

Dewsbury Rams
Tries Anthony England (11), James Craven (42)
Goals Patrick Walker 2/2

Bradford Bulls
Tries Matt Diskin (16), Patrick Ah Van (46), Laim Mackay (52), Vinny Finnigan 2 (57,69), Lewis Read (6icon_cool.gif, Steve Crossley (74), Michael Platt (79)
Goals Patrick Ah Van 7/8

Half Time 6-6
40/20's Dewsbury 0-2 Bradford
GLDO Dewsbury 1-2 Bradford
Penalties Dewsbury 7-17 Bradford
Referee Tim Roby (York)
Attendance 1,599

How was diskin? play any gud? Sounds like briggs and elima impressed!! Briggs could be a real gem

Diskin only played 20 minutes, which is fair enough as he is coming back from an operation. Elima and Scruton only appeared briefly too before giving way to academy lads - but both put in some big hits.

Briggs looks like what we never had last season...someone who just looks right at No6. His positional play, tactical nous, kicking and passing all look like someone who is a natural stand off. Once our centres and second rowers learn to read his plays I think he could be devastating against SL opposition...

Sounds promising paul!! something we have lacked for many years. Could see diskin and elima playing next both games next week to get upto fitness

It was like watching something from another planet watching Briggs play in a Bradford shirt, I'm not suggesting he's a superstar, just saying that we lacked that so, so badly last year. So refreshing to see him and Southernwood link up well together (albeit after 40 minutes, but I don't think anyone will judge them on that!). Looking forward to seeing Briggs and Herbert have a hitout together.
Briggs hit some great lines, kicked two 40/20s, the second of which was spectacular, and something that's overlooked but we've missed it dearly.. his touchfinders were cracking.

Oh yeah, and is it just me, or does Tom Burgess get bigger everytime he plays?!

I'm happy with what I saw today, despite the first 40 minutes being somewhat lethargic with both sides showing no real respect for the ball, with far too many errors and silly needless penalties given away.

I was impressed with Matt Diskin who I thought wasn't afraid to take control with the ball and direct play when inside the Dewsbury 20m and scored a Jimmy Lowes special that was well thought out, considering Kopczak still had four Dewsbury defenders within tackle range.

Kyle Briggs was my MOM as he just never stopped out there, directing and trying to involve everyone with his drop and go style of play. Those two 40/20's in the first half we're well taken I thought considering the Dewsbury number four Scott Turner had dropped back to stop them, but the sheer pin point accuracy of his kicking game was a joy to watch and one which should give us added options in Super League this coming season.

Not only for those two 40/20's but his general kicking game and those moster meter finding kicks to touch from the penalty award (He made over 40m+ twice).

Southernwood was more of the same and got the Dewsbury BOD man of the match. His kick to set up Finnigan's first try was sublime and again as above with Briggs both of them really showed signs of class in the running, passing and kicking department.

I'll say it again but these two will go on to do better than what Rob Burrow and Danny McGuire have done for Leeds, providing both stay fit and healthy then the Rugby League world is there oyster.

Vinny Finnigan scored two wonder tries all made possible due to the Southernwood/Briggs partnership and that devastating right hand side attack which tore Dewsbury apart in the second half.

Platt has improved ten fold and looks the player we signed back at the start of the 2007 season when he scored those three tries at Warrington during the 36-20 victory.

He had a hand in three of the tries, making the break and then finding the supporting player at the right time and what can I say about Patrick Ah Van?

After the game I was up on the gantry area with Stuart Duffy and we we're talking about how he just shows up all over the field and is there to support the break or take the ball forward making Dewsbury commit three defenders to bring him down, before Diskin then goes from dummy half and makes the break.

I'll also add that at long last we have found are goal kicking genius with impressive stats of 6/7 (vs Halifax) and todays 7/8 (which included one of the touchline and two or three that Orford/Sykes etc would have missed).

Elima, Kopczak and Whitehead all did well and made the hard yards forward, Elima more so for his efforts in the defensive line with some massive hits put on the Dewsbury players, including a ball and all tackle on Dominic Brambani and at one point in the first half he made three consecutive tackles as Dewsbury came to as halt.

Burgess, Bateman, Reed and Crossley all looked good with the ball in hand, espcially Tom who looks massive out on the field and could surpass anything that Sam did over here (IMO we did right in letting George go).

All in all a very good day at the office despite the slow start.

He is a monster isn't he? The bloke behind me made me laugh by commenting on how big the Burgesses all were and how they would have needed a lock on the fridge over night or it would have been empty in the morning!

To be honest mate and I think in my commentary I said the same thing, the referee was very fussy today about holding down and head high tackles and perhaps he could have resisted the urge to blow up for a few of those early holding down calls at it didn't help the flow of the game.

But one thing he couldn't control was the silly forced forward passes that both sides tried to get away with (Bradford more so than Dewsbury).

Dewsbury gave a good account of themselves and as I mentioned when summarising the game at the end, no Dewsbury supporter should be too disheartened by what they saw today, because for 60 minutes this was a real arm wrestle.

Warren Jowitt should be proud of that effort mate.

Cain was really impressive this afternoon, hope to see more of him this season.

You know, its not impossible I am starting to get slightly excited about the coming season. First stirrings, but there is a feeling there I've not had for a while now. (Go on, you'll not get a better chance that this to have some fun on my account!!)
I need to go lie down someplace (If I wasn't so damn busy) - this will never do.