Great 2nd half performance but Meadows poor again, Mr Catch and Pass.
Once again why was half the terracing roped off again? No explanation from club, it makes my p**s boil.

Yeha the taping off the terrace is starting to cause a problem and infuriate fans. Last thing you need is making your loyal fan base unhappy. 


Anyway on the game. Sloppy first 30mins. That mason try with 8 seconds to go was absolutely crucial. Could have been a very different game otherwise. Bench was superb for us. Thought Michael was M.O.M, what a singing he's been. Hallas did what we needed someone to do when he came on, just run hard and straight and bring some energy. Thought Lilley made a difference too. 

It wasn’t pretty in the first half, in fact, we were well off the pace. We were very much second best across the park, Sheffield looked the more organised and polished side early on. Credit to them: they’re a well-coached outfit and came with a game plan that unsettled us from the off. We struggled to get into any rhythm, with unforced errors and poor discipline stalling any momentum.

Still, even with the misfires, we managed to nick a crucial score late in the half, keeping us within two points at the break. That lifeline gave us just enough of a spark and whatever was said in the sheds clearly hit home.

Because we came out flying in the second half. Two quick-fire tries right after the restart flipped the contest on its head and suddenly, we were the team setting the tempo. Intensity lifted, our line speed sharpened, and we began winning the physical battle.

Defensively, we stood tall for the majority of the contest. Sheffield's only points in the second 40 came off the back of individual lapses close to our own line, but overall, we were solid and aggressive without the ball.

The bench played a huge role in turning the tide. The fresh legs brought energy, physicality, and most importantly, momentum. Every interchange seemed to raise the standard, and their impact can’t be understated.

But the undoubted highlight of the game goes to Franklin Pele. The big man lit up the left edge with a barnstorming, mazy run that left 4 Sheffield defenders in his wake. Poor Jack Walker looked like he saw a freight train coming and had about as much luck stopping it. “Frank the Tank” was in full flow and it was glorious.

We head into the bye week with almost 90 points in two games and confidence building. The tough stuff is still to come with a stacked period of league and cup fixtures looming.

Next week is the draw I think 13th? Something like that? No idea why they couldn't have done it with the CC draw, it's as if the 1895 cup is merely a forgotten sideshow or something. 


It's refreshing to have a coaching team and a squad that can fix things at half-time. So many times in the last 5 years we've been ahead at halftime and end up losing. 


Anyway, as the post-match interviews mentioned, we weren't being direct enough and were allowing Sheffield to get men in the tackle and limit the ruck. As soon as we started to control the ruck ourselves, Sheffield fell off and space opened up. Sheffield also were much better with their starting 13 on (ie the first 30minutes) as soon as they started to use their bench they had a drop in performance. 


Some nice moves and tries though. Also some nice multi-pass moves that didn't get a try...

Also, this bye week is coming at a very useful time for us. At least 4 or 5 full training sessions for the coaches to work with. 

Could've had 40+ if Hooley hadn't butchered his chance to send Keyes clear.     Some more observations from me:


First 30mins we had really poor ends to our sets.  Either putting in poor cross kicks or making errors or giving away penalties.  We put no pressure on Sheffield at all.   It seemed as if we were reluctant to mix up the kicking game for some reason or to put the ball through hands.  The halfbacks were often looking up for runners and everyone was spectating.    It's easy to criticise Meadsows and Keyes but they need running options.  Thankfully that changed after half time.    


Lilley coming on for Souter made a big difference.  The kick and chase try was a highlight.  Ok so sometimes his passing off the ground isn't great but he runs out of dummy half really well and is as tough as they come.  I see the numpties on Facebook want Lilley in for Meadows but this argument fails to see that the reason Lilley looks better at the moment is because he isn't playing at halfback.   Put him back there and we won't see him where he's most effective.    Souter looked to have got a knock so maybe Lilley might start there or perhaps there's another chance for Ott.  


Mason had a good game off the bench with two well taken tries.   On that showing he should stay in the 17. Who do you drop for Scurr when he comes back - he'll be back for the next game I reckon.


Hallas had a good game too but was needlessly binned for running in to the melee mid way through the second half. 


Finally I agree with the complaint about taping off the terracing at the far end.   Resent having to move to a less appealing place.   Had to move twice yesterday due to objectionable people.    Not sure where all the usual people we used to stand with have been forced to move to but I bet they're not happy.    Apparently this is done to try and create more of an atmosphere.  Well, it just increased the grumbling from me.  If people want to chant and make noise there is ample space for them in the middle of the terrace.  No need to force people together.

I wouldn't even call it an atmosphere. It's just a small group of people with an IQ of 10 chanting untilligent chants. Hirst has already warned we're on a final wanting for crowd behaviour. 


Personally prefer chants that get behind the team rather than "you soft ******" 


If they want to put people together to create an atmosphere then just open the stand only. Honestly I don't see the clubs logic and it will lose fans if it carrys on. 

Having bought a season ticket I'm a bit peeved that I can't now stand where I want.   No consultation occurred on this.  The club clearly don't understand that people have "their spot" that they've grown comfortable  with over many years.   Many have built friendships with the people around them.  That's all been broken up now.  Making them move isn't right.  I certainly resent being forced in with the numpties.  There were some foul mouthed girls near me yesterday who hadn't a clue.  

Yes totally agree about the taping off of the terrace. I was told by the security staff it was because they didn't have enough stewards for the game to open all the terrace but either way let everyone know they are doing it beforehand. It was the second time they've done it this season and not said anything. If I'd have known I would have sat down. Bet there wasn't as much hassle with 102,000 in there. 

Seems like that explanation is contrary to what was on Facebook last time it happened.  Would be good to have something official.   Might send an email and try and find out WTF is going on.  

First live game of the season for me, and I went not quite knowing what to expect. Knowing the type of players we had, I expected a really assured and expert game from the Bulls. Wow, that first half - one of the most inept performances I've seen in recent years. At 39 minutes I felt rather like I have in the past few seasons - totally uninspired. The Eagles forwards appeared much more enthusiastic, and were making massive gains towards our try line, mainly finishing therir sets well within our 20. On the other hand, our forwards struggled against their pack, and the finishing was - let's just say very poor.  The try on 40 minutes was a lifeline which lifted the crowd finally, so a good half time talk from Mr Laid-back was really needed to kick the team into action. 
And Nobby waved the hairdryer, clearly. This really is a team of two halves - how can they suddenly turn their performance around like they did ? Okay, the half time try might have deflated Sheff, but not enough to let Bulls totally dominate the 2nd half, which is what happened The 2nd half was good entertainment in my opinion, and just what the crowd needed. The run from Pele was worth the 20 quid entrance fee alone.
Credit to Eagles though, they kept on pushing us right to the final hooter. I'm not sure who was missing from their usual matchday squad, but they gave a good account of themselves in defeat. Interesting to see how we go against them in the league in a few weeks time.
Individuals who caught my eye : Okunbor, great runs out of the ruck; Lilley, masses of enthusiasm as usual; thought Mason had a good stint; Ronan Michael got through loads of work; negatives: Meadows, poor decision making, plays like an inferior Keyes; Hallas and his "enthusiasm" letting his temper getting the better of him - nothing changes; and the inevitable mistakes, penalties, etc when closing in on the opposition try line.
All told, an enjoyable afternoon in the sun. Just a pity the attendance was so poor. Oh, and Odsal looked glorious leaving out the red and white barrier tape drooped all over the steps, terracing, etc.  

I thought Sheffield came out like a team with nothing to lose and everything to gain attitude. They threw some good shape at us early on, playing care free Rugby, helped massively by us letting them start sets 30/40 metres up field every time. When we started keeping hold of the ball, looking more organised and making Sheffield came off their own line, it turned into a different game. 


I think Lingard will be filthy with those two 7 tackle sets Sheffield handed us. That allowed us to sneak a try just before HT and it turned into a different game. 


Judging by Nobles post match reaction, he was far from impressed with Hallas getting binned. Even though I thought Hallas did well coming off the bench, I expect Scurr will replace him for the Fax game.