We'll get murdered if we dial it in like we did in the 1st half versus Barrow. I genuinely wonder if we have the necessary commitment required to get a win at Batley.

We have the commitment. I don’t think the middles played that badly. They were let down by final play selection, poor execution and showboating from our supposedly experienced halfback.

Not sure I agree. Matongo was ineffective and his PTB was really far too slow - he got dumped a few times and looked ponderous. Flanagan didn't work hard enough in defence (I think he's past it). Rogers was ok but too often got stopped on the advantage line, he needs to work on his footwork even if his defence was better in the 2nd half. Scurr was great as usual. Lilley was a massive injection of enthusiasm we needed. Arundal in at 2nd row was anonymous and as for Wallace I struggle to see what HKR see in him. Appo didn't seem to be on the field for long as was costly penalty wise. Baitieri I didn't notice.

In the first half the whole side lacked urgency and line speed. We seemed to come out with a different attitude in the 2nd half but it was too late then.

Agree with you on Patton who gave a display of all his bad points in one game. How he keeps getting picked is beyond me. Bring in Jowitt or Lawford pls.

I was looking forward to this game and planning to visit Batley for the first time. Last night has dampened that enthusiasm though and I can't see this side having enough fight in them to beat Batley at home. I think Batley will win with plenty left in the tank.

Come on, guys, you know how this works...

We'll go to Batley and give them a hiding....

....then lose to Newcastle in our next games

This is the Bulls we are talking about here...

Don’t hold much hope out for this one.
How times have changed……
Batley are an outstanding championship team always punching above their weight.
If only we were that consistent, can only dream.
Don’t look the like of our pack since Thompson has left, feels like we’ve lost the glue that held them together.
Don’t know what Arundell is doing in the 2nd row or Wallace whom I don’t rate that highly. Think we are more solid with Butler / England in the back row ( I realise England is now suspended)
Will do well to get anything from this game the way we are performing recently

Backrow does look thin. Arundal isn't a forward. He has zero aggression.

I agree he's a centre, end of. I would like to see Blackmore given a go in 2nd row. He makes metres on contact

Think you’re a little hard in Wallace or any second rower that plays along side Patton when he can’t be bothered. Not sure if anyone really looks at stats but Wallace has been the top tackler the past few games and is consistently in the top 3 majority of the time. The game isn’t always about what you do with the ball but what you do without it. He had his best game when he was on the right and when that was Butler was on the left who had his worse game. The issue for me is Dec Patton. It’s obvious his head isn’t in the game and I feel he’s coasting and while he’s doing that the only attacking play he looks for is that killer ball to Gill. Change him ASAP

Pack lacked aggression and toughness v Barrow in conditions that demande. d both. If we can't beat Batley in Wembley week we have a problem regardless of team selection.

Yeah the Barrow game was reminiscent of the home game versus Sheffield last year in the driving rain when we were out enthused and certain players looked like they'd rather be anywhere else. At least on Monday we turned up for 40mins (albeit too late and we were still well below par) which was an improvement on last year (I'm clutching at straws here).

Clearly we still have a problem with attitude amongst certain players. That's something Batley never have a problem with (apart from a below par year with Diskin in charge).

On Doyle... https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... r-27456487

On Doyle... https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... r-27456487

So, no Patton today then. This will be really interesting to see how our attack fares with Lilley and Gaskill in the halves. With Wembley just round the corner for Batley, and no Dec, I'm actually feeling positive for once. Bulls to win by at least 10 points !

Playing uphill this half, Bulls keeping Batley penned into the top half of the pitch. Good arm wrestle, with Bulls on top. 0 - 10 Bulls, tries for George and Blackmore

Still some indiscipline and overplaying keeping Batley in the game, and they score after a legs in the air tackle.
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